*THE HUNDRED MENS COMPETITION MATCH 3: OVAL INVINCIBLES VS LONDON SPIRITS 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
It will be interesting to see how London Spirit set up when considering the sheer number of key players unavailable who they would have counted on back when the draft was undertaken.
Australian overseas duo Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh have been pulled out of the tournament by Cricket Australia, whilst England fast bowler Mark Wood is also set to be rested. Add Olly Stone’s injury into the mix and this depleted Spirit squad could be in for some punishment. It’s a real test for new captain Dan Lawrence with the way he is likely to conduct this now.
They will be up against Oval Invincibles who also suffered overseas disappointment pre-tournament with the news that pace bowler Ihsanullah will miss the competition through injury. Australian Spencer Johnson replaces him, but in regards to the entire squad, Oval Invincibles have retained the Surrey/Kent core of the past couple of years.
Expect the surface to favour the pace bowlers more with the ball likely to swing early on here at Lords and we as cricket fans, could be in for a seam movement lesson with what is expected. The batters will have to play carefully and negate the threat early in order to unleash the beast later.
*LONDON SPIRITS PROBABLE XI:*
Adam Rossington, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Matthew Wade, Dan Lawrence, Daryl Mitchell, Matt Critchley, Liam Dawson, Jordan Thompson, Dan Worrall, Chris Wood, Nathan Ellis
The Australian has taken 38 wickets with an economy of 7.12 in 29 appearances for Hampshire, 23 of which came during the 2023 campaign. However, in The Hundred, he has seven wickets in nine appearances and an economy of 142.60. He would love to reverse this stat about him at the Hundred but his reputation of being able to nail the role of a death overs bowler will keep him in good stead heading into this game.
The presence of international stars Mitchell and Wade in the middle order, two players with very different playing styles, would be critical to their chances. We can expect Mitchell to rely on his technically solid power hitting with Wade likely to take the entirely opposite route and display his fine range of range hitting.
*OVAL INVINCIBLES PROBABLE XI:*
Jason Roy, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Heinrich Klaasen, Tawanda Muyeye, Jordan Cox, Ross Whiteley, Sunil Narine, Tom Curran, Gus Atkinson, Nathan Sowter
The English duo of Jason Roy and Will Jacks, the local boys who are known to be aggressive would eye a quick fire start and with Jacks coming on the back of stellar form and having also added quality off spin in his arsenal , would look to make his presence felt straightaway.
The addition of Klaasen who plays spin incredibly well will be a bonus for the middle overs when Dawson would bowl. We have seen the protea batter tear bowling lineups apart and today could be his day to wreck havoc upon the opposition.
The brothers, the famous ones, Sam and Tom would look to hunt in pair-bowling in tandem and deceiving the batters with their special skillset. Sam is also the leader of the pack and nothing like the captain leading right from the front.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR LONDON SPIRIT:*
Highest run getter- Bell Drummond/Matthew Wade
Highest wicket taker- Nathan Ellis
*FOR OVAL INVINCIBLES PROBABLE XI:*
Highest run getter- Jason Roy/Will Jacks
Highest wicket taker- Sam Curran/Tom Curran
*FOR THE GAME:*
Oval to win