Spirit vs Invincibles, 2nd Match at London, Men's Hundred, Aug 04 2022 - Ball by Ball Commentary

This game felt like it was in schrodinger's box, for most of it the Spirit had the life. But with unforced errors and risks coming off, Oval Invincibles made their way back to give a scare. As Billings said, there was rustiness. But Spirit didn't retain the discipline in the end after embodying it for most of the game. Hopefully, this is a sign of the tournament heating up, on its way to become cricket's rooin'est, tootin'est thing. On that omenly note, it's goodbye from me, Ekanth, on behalf of my co-commentator, Hemant Brar, and our scorers, Chandan Duorah and M Venkat Raghav.

Sam Billings, Oval Invincibles Captain: Credit has to go to the guys at the bottom of the order. Getting a partnership is crucial. We played terribly to be honest but came back well. A bit of rustiness cost us. We were 12 for 4 but to take it to the last ball was great. Hopefully, this was the one bad performance of the top order out the way. The no balls were massive, we bowled at least an extra set. The rhythm of the game was quick and we need to keep up with the game. I am far and, sometimes, need to run up which can be tough. So, the bowler at mid-off can help, Sam Curran's done that well. The atmosphere was great as the crowd got right behind us.

Eoin Morgan, London Spirit captain: I love games like that. It teaches how the players cope under pressure, it's great to be on the right side of the result. It's not easy after being put in to bat, Oval lured us in with the crowd. They came back well. Players delivering what they commit to is what I look for. It's difficult for a bowler, but it's made easier if you make good decisions and commit to them. On the last ball, we wanted to go wide and get it away from the swing. We did not get it right but are happy with the win. It felt close to an international game because of the tension and the pressure, young Jordan Thompson, Ellis, et al were amazing. I've played a lot of golf, that might be the secret (laughs). I was rusty, took one in the gut. I was sitting on the short ball, pull or deflect it.

Nathan Ellis, POTM: It was a carnage, no better way to start than with a close game. Unreal atmosphere, it was fast-paced and great. Luck, timing's helped recently. It's happened quickly and I'm trying to sponge it up. I don't know if I deserve it but I'll take it as it comes. In the lead-up, Morgan has been a calming influence and I'm leaning on him already.

9:27 pm: London Spirit get a predictable win but not after a scare as Cox, Curran, and Briggs breathed life back into a dormant game. The top-four were dismissed four single-figure scores. There was a dry period in for a while. What followed the innings' equivalent of a midlife crisis was a middle and lower-middle order resurgence that sprung the game back to life. London withstood the fightback, only just, to defend their score and seal the game by a whisker.

Six off one, the crowd goes on an anticipatory roar. Long-on and off are back.

Tie is a tie, no super five. That's only in the knockouts.

17 off 5 needed, should still be London's game unless an over similar to the last is bowled.

Sarah : "Wood forgot he only had to bowl 5 balls there? Basically bowled a set of 10 "

Cut-off time could be reached any second now. Yeah, it is and a fielder is called in.

37 off 10 needed

9 minutes left for the cut off time to be reached. Although Invincibles could be all out by then.