The Hundred 2023, men's match preview: Southern Brave v Oval Invincibles

Team news, key matchups, TV and streaming information, weather forecast, odds, form rundown, start time, venue, squad lists and more

The Cricketer | 18/08/2023 at 06:00

What's the match?

Southern Brave host Oval Invincibles in the next match of the men's Hundred 2023.

When is it taking place?

The game is due to start at 6pm BST on Saturday, August 19.

Where is the match taking place?

Southern Brave's home ground is the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

Who's got the form?

Two sides fighting for top spot and an automatic route to the final meet in this crunch encounter.

Oval Invincibles have the edge, with four wins from six games taking them to nine points to Southern Brave's seven, but victory for Brave will level matters going into the final week.

Brave, despite having been hit by several absences and injuries, have won their past two games. Oval narrowly beat London Spirit earlier in the week, having suffered defeat at the hands of struggling Birmingham Phoenix.

With the bat, Heinrich Klaasen (171 runs at a strike rate of 180) and Will Jacks (169 at 166) lead the way for Oval Invincibles. Jordan Cox, another player to have passed 150 in the competition, has been ruled out of the tournament through injury. For Southern Brave, batting responsibilities have been shared, with no one particularly excelling on a regular basis. Finn Allen (125 at 130), Leus du Plooy (107 at 122), Devon Conway (94 at 107) and James Vince (91 at 130) have all had quiet tournaments. Yet results have still followed.

With the ball, Tymal Mills is having an exceptional tournament for Brave. The quick has 11 wickets and a good economy rate of 116 runs conceded per 100 balls. Oval have several prolific wicket-takers. Gus Atkinson, who missed the last game with a pectoral injury, has nine at an average of 10.66 each. Nathan Sowter also has nine, but is expensive, with an economy rate of 173 in the tournament.

What's the key matchup?

How quiet can Tymal Mills keep this Oval Invincibles top order. Mills is excellent at either end of the innings, and will need to be again here as the Invincibles boast fast starters and impactful finishers.

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Southern Brave take on Oval Invincibles [Getty Images]

Can I get tickets?

Tickets remain available but are described as limited.

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

What's the weather forecast?

A dry day in Southampton, with temperatures topping out at 21 degrees Celsius.

What are the squads?

Southern Brave: Jofra Archer, Tim David (Mitchell Santner from August 20), Leus du Plooy, James Vince, Chris Jordan, Devon Conway, Tymal Mills, Rehan Ahmed, Craig Overton, Finn Allen, George Garton, James Fuller, Colin Ackermann, Joe Weatherley, Jafer Chohan, Matt Fisher

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, Graham Clark, Gus Atkinson, Spencer Johnson, Danny Briggs, Nathan Sowter, Zak Chappell, Tawanda Muyeye

What's the team news?

Graham Clark has replaced Jordan Cox in the Oval Invincibles squad. Colin Ackermann has replaced Alex Davies in the Southern Brave squad. Tim David plays his last game of 2023.

Gus Atkinson missed the last Oval game with a pectoral injury. Tom Curran has struggled for fitness throughout the tournament.

What are the possible starting XIs?

Southern Brave: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, James Vince, Leus du Plooy, Colin Ackermann, Tim David, George Garton, Rehan Ahmed, Chris Jordan, Craig Overton, Tymal Mills

Oval Invincibles: Jason Roy, Will Jacks, Heinrich Klaasen, Sam Curran, Sam Billings, Ross Whiteley, Tawanda Muyeye, Spencer Johnson, Zak Chappell, Nathan Sowter, Adam Zampa

What are the odds?

Southern Brave are the outsiders, with a best price of 21/20 at the bookmakers. Oval Invincibles are well fancied, with best available odds as short as 4/6 in places.

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Oval Invincibles are pushing for top spot [Getty Images]

What's the prediction?

Southern Brave have had to deal with a fractured season and mass player absence. Oval Invincibles are starting to experience similar but have the class to win through. Away victory.