In a nail-biting battle of the OI vs LS, The Hundred tie, London Spirit overwhelmed Oval Invincibles by eight wickets in an authoritative performance at the Kia Oval. With elimination hanging in the balance, Spirit realized only a rout would do and they obliged in style.
All eyes now shift to Tuesday’s do-or-die clash between Manchester Originals and Northern Superchargers, which may decide Spirit’s fate for the Eliminator next Saturday. Victory for Superchargers will virtually seal Spirit’s qualification.
Invincibles Struggle to Fire with the Bat
Bidding first, Oval Invincibles started steadily but non-threateningly. Meg Lanning and Paige Scholfield could muster only 23 in the Powerplay. Though there were a few aggressiveness moments, such as a six struck by Scholfield and few boundaries hit by Lanning, the scoring was subdued.
Charlie Dean cut through with a well-directed caught-and-bowled to see off Lanning (19 off 20), and Scholfield (22 off 21) followed shortly. Spirit’s strategy of taking pace off the ball paid off, as the Invincibles moved only to 56 for 2 at the halfway stage.
The only batter who put up any sort of resistance was Marizanne Kapp, who made a spirited 32 off 25. Her innings, though, came to an end courtesy a magical one-handed catch by Dean, who bowled the last five deliveries as well and ended with superlative figures of 2 for 12 equaling Eva Gray’s stingy pickings. The Invincibles limped to a paltry total of 108 for 8.
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Red-Hot Chathli and Redmayne Seal the Deal in Style
Pursuing 109 at run rate in their heads, London Spirit openers Kira Chathli and Georgia Redmayne went after the bowling from the start. Chathli, playing against her erstwhile team, hit 35 off only 16 balls in the Powerplay, leading Spirit to a highest-in-the-season 47 without loss in the first phase.
The pair continued to add Spirit’s top partnership of the season for any wicket. Chathli smashed a thrilling half-century off 26 balls, finishing the game with a straight six. While both openers were run out at the doorstep, Redmayne for 42 off 30 and Chathli for 53 off 29 the work was already done. Spirit came out victorious with 38 overs to spare, a huge gain in terms of net run rate.
Charlie Dean Shines as Meerkat Match Hero
Speaking after her impressive performance, Charlie Dean looked back on her game-changing catch and bowling display:
“I should have been on the ring! But I timed the jump right and clung on.”.
That was a great win. We went out to come back, and to win by such a margin… we did not talk too much of NRR, but the manner in which we approached it was superb. Kira has played top-notch at the top of the order.”
Dean’s brilliance all-round helped her to bag the Meerkat Match Hero award.
What’s Next: Spirit Await Fate as Originals Face Superchargers
With London Spirit’s group stage done, they are now dependent on the outcome of Manchester Originals vs Northern Superchargers. A victory for Superchargers will have Spirit going through on the basis of points. A victory for Originals may bring net run rate into consideration but with this crushing derby victory, Spirit’s NRR is now good.
Key Takeaways: OI vs LS, The Hundred
- London Spirit came out victorious by 8 wickets with 38 balls to spare.
- Kira Chathli (53 off 29) and Georgia Redmayne (42 off 30) dominated with the bat.
- Charlie Dean performed with both ball (2 for 12) and a jaw-dropping catch.
- Oval Invincibles only managed 108 for 8 in a uninspiring batting display.
- Spirit’s hopes of qualification now rest with Superchargers vs Originals.
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