Zampa and Cox Power Oval Invincibles to Dominant Win Over London Spirit

Defending Champions Cruise to Nine-Wicket Victory, Closing in on The Hundred Final Spot

Oval Invincibles moved one step closer to securing their place in The Hundred final with a resounding nine-wicket victory over London Spirit at The Oval. The defending champions, led by a brilliant all-round performance, dismantled Spirit, who now find themselves rooted at the bottom of the table and already eliminated from contention.

Australia's Adam Zampa was the star with the ball, delivering a devastating spell of leg-spin that saw him claim 4-17. Zampa's brilliance triggered a dramatic collapse for London Spirit, who stumbled from a promising 40-1 to being all out for just 96 in 92 balls. The leg-spinner's control and guile proved too much for the Spirit batters, with only three managing to reach double figures.

Adding to London Spirit's woes was the outstanding performance of England all-rounder Sam Curran, who was equally lethal, taking 3-10 from his 15 balls. His brother, Tom Curran, also chipped in with 2-21, ensuring that the Invincibles kept the pressure on throughout Spirit's innings.

In response, Oval Invincibles wasted no time in chasing down the modest target. Jordan Cox, recently called up to the England Test squad, put on a masterclass in aggressive batting, smashing his way to an unbeaten 61 from just 30 balls. His innings, laced with nine boundaries and two towering sixes, epitomized the Invincibles' dominance. The final flourish came when Cox launched the ball back over the bowler’s head to seal the victory with 37 balls to spare.

The win not only keeps Oval Invincibles two points clear at the top of the table but also gives them a significant edge in net run-rate over their nearest rivals, Southern Brave. With a top-three finish already secured, the Invincibles now have their sights set on a direct path to the final at Lord's. A victory in their next match against Trent Rockets on Wednesday would guarantee their spot in Sunday’s showpiece event.

For London Spirit, the defeat marked the end of a disappointing campaign as they remain anchored to the bottom of the standings. Despite flashes of promise earlier in the competition, their season has unraveled, culminating in this latest heavy loss.

As the Invincibles gear up for the final stretch of the tournament, they will be buoyed by the form of players like Zampa and Cox, who are hitting their stride at just the right time. All eyes will now be on their upcoming clash with Trent Rockets, where they will look to cement their place in the final and continue their quest for back-to-back titles in The Hundred.