The Hundred 2022: Laurie Evans leads Manchester Originals into the final of the competition
Match Report Manchester Originals into the Final: Manchester Originals took on London Spirit in the Eliminator of the Hundred Men’s 2022.
The Eliminator of the Hundred Men’s Competition 2022 saw Manchester Originals take on London Spirit at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The Originals defeated Spirit convincingly to book a place in the final against the Trent Rockets.
London Spirit skipper Eoin Morgan won the toss and had no hesitation to bat first. They lost Adam Rossington on the second ball of the innings. Zak Crawley along with Ben McDermott led the recovery work and build a solid partnership before the former was cleaned up on 36. McDermott played some beautiful strokes and brought up his fifty.
He departed on 59 and Spirit lost their way a bit as there was a mini-collapse but Ravi Bopara used all his experience and played a fantastic cameo (34* off 16 balls) to take his side to 150 at the end of their 100 balls. Paul Walter for the Originals picked up three wickets. Joshua Little and Matthew Parkinson also chipped in with a couple of scalps.
Chasing 150 in a knockout game was always going to be a difficult task but the Originals were up for it. Philip Salt and skipper Laurie Evans got them off to an outstanding start. Both took on the bowling from the word go and scored at a brisk rate. They put a 101-run stand between them before Salt was dismissed on 29.
Evans scored 72 off just 24 balls before getting dismissed on the 53rd ball of the innings. They lost two more wickets in quick succession but the opening partnership had helped them get to a touching distance of the target. Tom Lammonby and Ashton Turner remained unbeaten on 13 and 9 respectively to guide their side across the line with five wickets in hand. Nathan Ellis and Mason Crane bagged two wickets each but it wasn’t enough for them to defend the total.
Manchester Originals progress to the final of the Hundred 2022
The Originals had lost their first three games but turned the tables around. They had a dream run in the league stages, having won five games on the trot to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition. They beat Spirit convincingly to reach the final of the Hundred 2022 and will face Trent Rockets on Saturday.
London Spirit’s campaign came to an end after losing to Manchester in the Eliminator. They had lost their last two league fixtures and failed to bounce back as a loss against the Originals in the Eliminator sees them pack their bags and head home. They would have hoped for a better performance against the Originals and reach the final of the Hundred 2022.
Player of the Match
Laurie Evans was adjudged the player of the match for his blazing knock of 72 off just 34 balls.
I would have enjoyed a lot more had I finished it. Incredible journey as we have won 6 in a row. We thought we had to go hard at the top in case the wicket breaks up a bit. Salt did a great job.
Different guys have stepped up at different times. Has been a great group. We have been playing some good cricket and playing for each other.
– Laurie Evans
Score Summary
London Spirit: 150/7 (100)
(Ben McDermott 59, Zak Crawley 36, Paul Walter 3/29)
Manchester Originals: 151/5 (89)
(Laurie Evans 72, Philip Salt 29, Nathan Ellis 2/32)
Manchester Originals beat London Spirit by five wickets.
