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The Hundred: Can Oval Invincibles secure historic hat-trick?
This summer has delivered non-stop cricket and it keeps on coming, with The Hundred set to return next month. The fast-paced, modern format has taken the UK by storm since its inception in 2021 and we’re set for the biggest season yet.
The 2025 edition gets underway on Tuesday 5th August, with a spicy derby between London Spirit and Oval Invincibles kicking off proceedings at Lord’s. Each group fixture features a double-header between both the women’s and men’s sides.
The competition lasts almost a month, with the final also taking place at Lord’s on Sunday 31st August. Ahead of the competition getting started, here’s everything you need to know.
Oval Invincible target third consecutive men’s title
With The Hundred only entering its fifth edition, Oval Invincibles are on the verge of making the format their own. The men’s side took a couple of seasons to get going but are now the team to beat, having claimed the title in both 2023 and 2024.
The south London side topped the group last year, winning six and losing just two of their group matches. They progressed straight to the final, where they saw off the challenge of Southern Brave to win the final.
And with the new season on the horizon, they’re the favourites to go all the way and win their third title on the spin. While they’ll be without last season’s leading wicket taker Adam Zampa, they possess incredible talent in their squad, including the likes of Sam Curran, Tom Curran and Will Jacks.
However, they’ll face stiff competition in their quest to make history by winning a third championship. Beating finalists Southern Brave will be out for blood and will be dreaming of repeating their heroics in the competition’s maiden season back in 2021.
Jofra Archer leads their bowling attack and is in strong form, having recently made his return for England’s Test series against India. They’ve got plenty of firepower in their ranks, including New Zealand star Michael Bracewell, who joins as an overseas player.
Meanwhile, there are some familiar faces joining The Hundred this year. Following his retirement from international cricket, James Anderson is set to play in the competition for the first time. The legendary bowler will be 43 by the time The Hundred gets underway and after joining Manchester Originals as their wildcard pick, he’ll be on familiar turf at Old Trafford.
Elsewhere, Australian legend Steve Smith has joined Welsh Fire. The iconic batsman is well known in the UK, having faced off against England in the Ashes on so many occasions. He finally joins the Cardiff side, having previously been set to play in the first edition of The Hundred before those plans were scuppered by the pandemic. Smith’s former teammate David Warner will also be playing after signing a deal with London Spirit.
Plus, Rocky Flintoff is set to continue his family traditions after joining Northern Superchargers. The 17-year-old was also a wildcard pick and he’ll join forces with his father, who is a coach at the Headingley-based side. Flintoff junior joins a strong contingent that includes the likes of Harry Brook, Zak Crawley and Adil Rashid.
London Spirit dealt blow in title defence
Having failed to reach the knockout stages in the first three editions of The Hundred, London Spirit finally went all the way last time out in the women’s competition. The Lord’s-based outfit finished third in the group stage before comfortably beating Oval Invincibles and Welsh Fire to be crowned champions.
Yet while they’ll be hoping to defend their crown, they’ll be without influential captain Heather Knight. Only Nat Sciver-Brunt scored more runs than Knight last year but London Spirit will need to find that firepower elsewhere after she was ruled out for the season with a hamstring injury.
Knight has been replaced in the squad by Kira Chathli, with Charlie Dean taking her place as skipper. It remains to be seen how they’ll fare, which could see one of their rivals take advantage.
Trent Rockets have failed to reach the knockout stages since qualifying back in 2022 but with Sciver-Brunt in attack, they’ll always be in with a shout. She scored a remarkable 301 runs in the 2024 series and will be a force to be reckoned with once again.
Oval Invincibles will also be in with a shout as they look to emulate their male counterparts. They won the first two editions of The Hundred and they will expect to at least reach the knockout stages, having done so on three out of four occasions so far.
The Hundred hospitality
If you want to watch The Hundred from the best seats in the house, why not join us in our exclusive hospitality facilities? We have packages available for every double header at both Lord’s and the Kia Oval. Enquire today to reserve your place.
London Spirit v Oval Invincibles – Tuesday 5th August, Lord’s
Oval Invincibles v Manchester Originals – Saturday 9th August, Kia Oval
London Spirit v Trent Rockets – Thursday 14th August, Lord’s
Oval Invincibles v Welsh Fire – Saturday 16th August, Kia Oval
London Spirit v Northern Superchargers – Wednesday 20th August, Lord’s
Oval Invincibles v Trent Rockets – Thursday 21st August, Kia Oval
London Spirit v Southern Brave – Saturday 23rd August, Lord’s
Oval Invincibles v London Spirit – Monday 25th August, Kia Oval
The Hundred Final – Sunday 31st August, Lord’s
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