In a game where bowlers had no place to hide and entertainment was at the summit, history was scripted as Manchester Originals pulled off the highest successful run chase in The Hundred's history. The historic performance came just at the right time and with the immense pressure of playing in a knockout game as the Southern Brave were sent home after an epic display of explosive hitting by Manchester batters, led by their talismanic leader Jos Buttler. The Originals chased down a target of 197 runs with seven wickets in hand and four balls to spare at the Kennington Oval in London on August 26 (Saturday).
Buttler and Philip Salt opened the innings for Manchester with a gigantic target in their sight. The two charismatic batters were not bogged down by the pressure of the moment and they unleashed some brutal strokes. The duo combined for 83 runs for the opening wicket in just 32 balls and Manchester were right on track to script history.
Salt departed after playing a blazing knock of 47 runs off 17 balls with the help of five fours and four sixes. England's white-ball captain, Buttler, continued his assault on the Brave's bowling attack and brought up yet another half-century. The wicketkeeper-batter departed after scoring a match-winning score of 82 runs off 46 balls with the help of six fours and four sixes.
Max Holden played a quick-fire cameo of 31 runs off 17 balls with the help of one four and three sixes before Laurie Evans (22 not out off 13 balls) and Jamie Overton (seven not out off three balls) completed the job for Manchester.
Earlier, Southern Brave rode on half-centuries from their top three batters and posted a daunting score of 196/1. Finn Allen smashed 69 runs off 38 balls with the help of six fours and five sixes. Devon Conway remained unbeaten on 51 runs off 38 balls while captain James Vince scored 56 not out off 25 balls.
After a historic triumph, Manchester Originals will square off against the Oval Invincibles in the final on August 27 (Sunday).
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