#Letakan iklan disini
Cricket Dec 07, 2025

The Hundred: Oval Invincibles men complete first threepeat in tournament's history with continuity and affiliation key

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
The Hundred: Oval Invincibles men complete first threepeat in tournament's history with continuity and affiliation key

When analysing the wretched displays of Welsh Fire in the 2022 edition of The Hundred, SportNews Cricket pundit Nasser Hussain did not hold back.

"Not much Welsh and not much fire," was his take as the men's side lost all eight games and the women's five from six.

You cannot accuse Oval Invincibles Men - who, on Sunday, became - of not living up to their name, though.

They have a lot of Oval and an air of invincibility.

Among the two-time defending champions' squad are a host of Surrey players who have an affinity with The Oval and the local area, including Sam Curran, big brother Tom and Will Jacks - the latter thumping 72 from 41 balls in this weekend's victory over Trent Rockets in the final at Lord's.

Sam and Tom are the heartbeat, taking 24 wickets between them this season - 12 for the former, including some with his sub-50mph moon balls, and the same number for the latter.

Sam also contributed 238 runs, with two half-centuries and 16 sixes at a strike-rate of 176.29, which makes you wonder once again why he has slipped from England contention.

Invincibles, of course, also represent Kent and that county is well served at The Oval team by Sam Billings, Jordan Cox (born in Kent and played for Kent before joining Essex) and Tawanda Muyeye.

Billings knits things together as captain, with his side winning 21 of their previous 27 matches stretching back to the start of 2023, while Muyeye has shone in patches this term, most notably with a 28-ball 59 not out versus Manchester Originals.

But Cox was named the men's Hundred MVP in 2025, clubbing the most runs (367), most sixes (22), joint highest score (86 not out) and joint most fifties (three), at a strike-rate of 173.93.

World Cup-winning England captain turned SportNews pundit Eoin Morgan said of Cox: "At the moment, he just looks like an international cricketer to a tee." He is currently out of international white-ball squads but that may soon change.

Like the Currans, Jacks, Billings and Cox, pacer Saqib Mahmood and spinner Nathan Sowter have been with Invincibles from the start.

Mahmood recorded figures of 1-10 from 15 balls in the final, closing out the win, while Sowter pretty much shredded Rockets' hopes earlier on when he dismissed the top three of Tom Banton, Joe Root and Rehan Ahmed in the space of six balls.

SportNews' Nasser Hussain said of Invincibles: "You don't know what comes first - the success or the consistency of squad. But if you have success why change the squad?

"They don't change much in tournaments or even in games. They are fairly formulaic as they know what works, plus they have lots of all-rounders, multi-dimensional cricketers.

"Their biggest strength is the affiliation with The Oval. You see that with the players and fans and out of all the sides there is an attachment."

But what next for Invincibles?

A name change looks likely with the Oval club soon to be run by the Ambani family, the owners of Indian Premier League team Mumbai Indians. MI London has been mooted as Invincibles' new title.

A settled squad could also be broken up ahead of the 2026 tournament if an IPL-style player auction comes into effect.

But if that is the case, then the masters of The Hundred ended this era in perfect fashion.

Captain Billings said: "It is incredible, very special, a brilliant group. We have kept that consistency for three to five years and that has shown in the performances.

"It has probably been the most pleasing year. We have dominated, put our foot down, so I am very proud of everyone involved.

"Our support staff allow us to perform and everyone has contributed to our success. That's what great sides do."

Tags:

cricket news id:13419337

Share this article

Related Posts

Ben Stokes defends Jofra Archer's absence from England Test side vs New Zealand due to IPL duties: 'The landscape of cricket has changed'

Ben Stokes defends Jofra Archer's absence from England Test side vs New Zealand due to IPL duties: 'The landscape of cricket has changed'

England Test captain Ben Stokes has defended Jofra Archer's absence from England's side to face New Zealand at Lord's, saying that the "landscape of c...

Women's T20 World Cup 2026 squads: England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, India, New Zealand and more

Women's T20 World Cup 2026 squads: England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, India, New Zealand and more

Check out the squads for the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, which takes place in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5, live on Your Site.Australia: S...

Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Wicked to bring West End magic to tournament opening ceremony at Edgbaston

Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Wicked to bring West End magic to tournament opening ceremony at Edgbaston

The 2026 Women's T20 World Cup is to get under way with a spectacular live performance from the cast of Wicked ahead of England's tournament opener ag...

England vs India, third women's T20: Match updates, videos, reaction and analysis as hosts win series ahead of T20 World Cup

England vs India, third women's T20: Match updates, videos, reaction and analysis as hosts win series ahead of T20 World Cup

Premier League trio want Celtic's EngelsNottingham Forest, Fulham and Sunderland are all interested in Arne Engels at Celtic.Forest had a number...

Andrew Flintoff: England legend unveiled as Sydney Thunder's head coach ahead of new Big Bash League (BBL) season

Andrew Flintoff: England legend unveiled as Sydney Thunder's head coach ahead of new Big Bash League (BBL) season

Legendary England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been announced as Sydney Thunder's new BBL coach.Flintoff takes over from former England ODI World C...

The Hundred: Jamie Overton, Davina Perrin, Tom Curran among Hundred stars launching new trophy and team kits

The Hundred: Jamie Overton, Davina Perrin, Tom Curran among Hundred stars launching new trophy and team kits

The Hundred's eight teams have released a new team trophy for collective participation in the men's and women's game alongside new-look kits for the 2...