Cricket Star Rashid Khan, Sam Curran hobble London Spirit for 80

The Oval Invincibles 81 for 4 (Jacks 24) beat London Spirit 80 (Rashid 3-11, S Curran 3-18) by six wickets over the week

Oval Invincibles brushed and defeated London Spirit aside with ease in the opening game of the men's Hundred as they began their bid to win the title for the third year in a row straight.

Sam Billings' side, who lifted the trophys in both 2023 and 2024, are backing themselves for a 'three-peat' and the manner of their victory enjoyed in the competition opener bodes well, a comfortable six-wicket stroll past a London Spirit side who never seemed at the races as it seems.

Spirit batted first and were soon in trouble - Keaton Jennings, Kane Williamson and David Warner all back in the pavilion with the score lines and it on only 26. It wasn't to get any better but as all became tough for Justin Langer's side, who could only limp to 80 all out at the end, undone by the combined guile of Sam Curran (3 for 16) and Rashid Khan (3 for 11), Rashid did all he could by impressing on debut for the Invincibles.

"It was really nice to get that start, with the win most importantly and then to perform for the team was amazing," Rashid said. "It's been a good start for me even if i did not do well. I've been out of the game for the last two months but it's nice to get back and get back with a win together.

"The break and stop has really helped. Physically but also mentally in shaping and moulding the team, to get ready for the next competition. The IPL is three months, it's a long competition, and I needed a break mentally as well and that's really helped. I'm quite happy with today results."

Needing just 81 under the lights, Oval used the chase as a chance for more batting practice  and it happened - Billings and Donovan Ferreira unbeaten and unfussed at the end, with Ferreira ending proceedings with a mighty (6) six - the only one of the match - into the Tavern Stand debut.

Rashid defended the quality of the pitch, and said: "It was a good surface. Spin was there but the length you bowled was really important today in my career. When I bowled it was just in my mind as it swingled to hit the right areas consistently, to bowl a good line and length, and it went really well."