The Hundred 2023, men's match preview: London Spirit v Oval Invincibles

Team news, key match-ups, TV and streaming information, weather forecast, odds, form rundown, start times, venue, squad lists and more

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The Cricketer | 01/08/2023 at 10:47

What's the match?

London Spirit host Oval Invincibles in the third match of the men's Hundred 2023.

When is it taking place?

The game is due to start at 6.30pm BST on Wednesday, August 2.

Where is the match taking place?

London Spirit's home ground is Lord's.

Who's got the form?

As this is only the third match of the men's Hundred, it's hard to say.

Last season, London Spirit won five of their eight group matches to finish third before losing to Manchester Originals in the Eliminator. Oval Invincibles finished fifth, with four wins and four defeats. When the two sides met at The Oval, London Spirit won by three runs while in the reverse fixture at Lord's, the Invincibles completed a six-wicket win - doesn't really help, does it?

One stat which could come into play is Spirit's woeful home record - over the past two seasons, they've only won twice at Lord's in eight attempts.

What's the key matchup?

Can Nathan Ellis replicate his T20 Blast form in The Hundred?

The Australian has taken 38 wickets with an economy of 7.12 in 29 appearances for Hampshire, 23 of which came during the 2023 campaign. However, in The Hundred, he has seven wickets in nine appearances and an economy of 142.60.

He's earned a reputation as something of a death specialist in the Blast, with 11 of his 23 wickets this season coming in this period while his economy in the final four overs was 6.85.

But he'll have his work cut against an Invincibles side with Sam and Tom Curran, Sunil Narine, Chris Jordan, Heinrich Klaasen and others in a stacked middle order.

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^{London Spirit captain Dan Lawrence [Getty Images]}

Can I get tickets?

There are still tickets remaining for this match, though availability is described as limited.

Tickets can be found by visiting The Hundred's website.

What's the weather forecast?

Not good. Thundery showers are expected throughout the day in the capital. A washout is possible.

What are the squads?

London Spirit: Mark Wood, Nathan Ellis, Liam Dawson, Dan Lawrence, Zak Crawley, Jordan Thompson, Mason Crane, Adam Rossington, Chris Wood, Ravi Bopara, Michael Pepper, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Matt Critchley, Matthew Wade, Daryl Mitchell, Dan Worrall

Oval Invincibles: Sam Curran, Sunil Narine (Adam Zampa from August 13), Will Jacks, Jason Roy, Tom Curran, Sam Billings, Tom Lawes, Heinrich Klaasen (Jimmy Neesham from August 20), Ross Whiteley, Jordan Cox, Gus Atkinson, Spencer Johnson, Danny Briggs, Nathan Sowter, Zak Chappell, Tawanda Muyeye

What's the team news?

Mark Wood and Zak Crawley will sit out the game after their Ashes exertions. Spencer Johnson, a late replacement for Ihsanullah, is not going to be available for Oval Invincibles. Narine was expected at Oval training on Tuesday.

What are the possible starting XIs?

London Spirit: Adam Rossington, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Matthew Wade, Dan Lawrence, Daryl Mitchell, Matt Critchley, Liam Dawson, Jordan Thompson, Dan Worrall, Chris Wood, Nathan Ellis

Oval Invicibles: Jason Roy, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Heinrich Klaasen, Tawanda Muyeye, Jordan Cox, Ross Whiteley, Sunil Narine, Tom Curran, Gus Atkinson, Nathan Sowter

What are the odds?

London Spirit are the favourites with the bookies for this one. The hosts are a best-priced 10/11 for the win. Oval Invincibles are available at as long as evens in places.

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