The Hundred 2022: Joshua Little’s fifer helps Manchester Originals seal a berth in the Eliminator

Manchester Originals into Eliminator: The 32^nd and final game of the league stages of the Hundred Men’s Competition 2022 saw the Manchester Originals lock horns against Oval Invincibles at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester. The Originals defeated the Invincibles to qualify for the finals.

Oval Invincibles batted first on a good-looking surface. They lost their top-order early in the innings but skipper Sam Billings stepped up and contributed heavily with the bat. He scored a fifty and led the fightback.

He was dismissed on 53 and the other batters failed to contribute as they failed to finish on a high. There was a collapse in the end as they finished their innings on 143/9. Joshua Little for the Originals bowled a brilliant spell and picked up a fifer. Richard Gleeson also chipped in with a couple of scalps.

The Originals were up to the task of chasing down this total. Wayne Madsen, coming in at three, played a well-composed innings as he held the Originals’ innings nicely. He brought up his fifty and the other batters also contributed.

Madsen remained unbeaten on 53 and Paul Walter’s knock of 12* from 6 balls helped them get across the line with one ball to spare. Danny Briggs for the Invincibles picked up two wickets but the other bowlers failed to step up as they lost the game by six wickets.

Manchester Originals to face London Spirit in the Eliminator of the Hundred 2022

Manchester Originals lost their first three games but turned the tables around. They won their next five games to seal a berth in the knockout stages of the Hundred 2022. It’s been a massive turnaround for them and will look to carry forward the winning momentum when they face Eoin Morgan’s London Spirit in the Eliminator.

It was a must-win game for Oval Invincibles and they faltered as they lost a tight contest against the Originals and get knocked out of the competition. They managed to win four games and lost as many in this year’s competition and will be disappointed on not making the finals of the Hundred 2022. They will look to come out hard in the next edition.

Player of the Match

Joshua Little was named the player of the match for his fantastic spell of 5/13.

I was a bit nervous watching the last 30 minutes, but yeah, overall pleased with how things went for our side. Delighted to be a part of the unit. Enjoying every minute of it. Credit to the boys. My plan was to keep it simple and make them to hit to the long side. Had the field set accordingly.

– Joshua Little

I’d much rather be out there (in those last few sets) than sit out. That’s what The Hundred is made for, close games of cricket. We knew that whatever they get, it will be tough to chase but we backed ourselves. We played every game without nothing-to-lose and just tried to enjoy as much as we can.

– Laurie Evans, Manchester Originals Skipper

Score Summary

Oval Invincibles: 143/9 (100)

(Sam Billings 53, Sam Curran 24, Joshua Little 5/13)

Manchester Originals: 144/4 (99)

(Wayne Madsen 53*, Ashton Turner 26, Danny Briggs 2/22)

Manchester Originals beat Oval Invincibles by six wickets.