The Hundred 2022, men's match preview: Oval Invincibles v London Spirit

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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What's the match?

Oval Invincibles face London Spirit in the second game of the men's Hundred in 2022.

When is it taking place?

The game is due to start at 6.30pm BST on Thursday, August 4.

Where is the match being played?

The Kia Oval, which hosted the opening games last season and the Eliminators, is back for day two of the competition.

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Sam Billings is back to captain Oval Invincibles (Harry Trump/Getty Images)

Who's got the form?

Awkward. This is the opening match for both sides, their first since the last season, so recent form is tough to assess.

Invincibles had the better 2021 season, finishing just outside the top three and missing out on the latter stages. They won four of their seven completed games, losing three.

Spirit propped up the table, meanwhile, winning just once as injury and lack of availability of players came back to hurt them.

After their first of two meetings was abandoned, Invincibles prevailed by eight wickets in their only clash at Kia Oval after chasing down 104 to win with 13 balls to spare.

What's the team news?

The Invincibles are without Saqib Mahmood, among the tranche of victims of a back stress fracture, for the duration of the competition. His replacement, Gus Atkinson of Surrey, has also been ruled out meaning Pat Brown has been called up as a late stand-in.

Sam Billings is available for what looks like being the whole competition after being omitted from the England squad for the first two South Africa Tests and is set to captain the side. Rory Burns, one of their centrally contracted players, has been released back to captain Surrey in the One-Day Cup but can be recalled at any stage.

Tom Curran has only played twice this season in his recovery from a back injury and his appearances are likely to be sporadic.

For London Spirit, Kieron Pollard pulled out of his Blast spell at the Kia Oval with a hamstring injury and it remains to be seen if he is fit. Blake Cullen is missed after being retained and is replaced by Toby Roland-Jones. Nathan Ellis, fresh from bowling Hampshire to Blast glory at Edgbaston, was called up to replace Riley Meredith.

Also on the injury front, Mark Wood's comeback from an elbow problem has been delayed and he will be unavailable as he targets the T20 World Cup in Australia.

What's the key match-up?

Due to join up with Australia for the second half of the tournament, Spirit need to get the most out of Glenn Maxwell. Indeed, there might be a temptation to even open with the allrounder as he has done for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash. With a strike rate of 151 and a temperament for the biggest occasions, he is the bit of star quality Spirit lacked in 2021

The new ball spell will, therefore, be crucial for Invincibles. Reece Topley has enjoyed a stellar last 12 months, cementing his place in England's white-ball plans and taking it to the likes of West Indies and India this year. His 6 for 24 against India in the second ODI at Lord's was an inspired bit of bowling, with his yorker and in-swinger particularly useful.

Their last T20 meeting went the way of the left-armer, who dismissed Maxwell (7) as Renegades won the Melbourne derby over the Stars by five wickets. Topley collected figures of 3 for 27.

Can I get tickets?

This match has sold out. 

The Hundred tickets can be found by visiting the tournament's ticket site, click here.

What's the weather forecast?

A dry evening in south London is expected, with even some sunny spells in the early evening.

Check on the full Met Office forecast by clicking here.

What are the squads?

Oval Invincibles: Sunil Narine, Rilee Rossouw, Danny Briggs, Hilton Cartwright, Matt Milnes, Jack Leaning, Sam Billings, Rory Burns (released to play for Surrey in RLC), Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Will Jacks, Jason Roy, Nathan Sowter, Reece Topley, Mohammad Hasnain, Pat Brown (replaced Gus Atkinson, who replaced Saqib Mahmood), Jack Haynes

London Spirit: Kieron Pollard, Liam Dawson, Nathan Ellis (replaced Riley Meredith), Jordan Thompson, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Chris Wood, Ravi Bopara, Mason Crane, Zak Crawley, Dan Lawrence, Josh Inglis (replaces Glenn Maxwell while on international duty), Eoin Morgan, Adam Rossington, Brad Wheal, Mark Wood, Ben McDermott, Jamie Smith, Toby Roland-Jones (replaced Blake Cullen)

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Shane Warne's passing led to Trevor Bayliss being installed as head coach (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

What are the possible starting XIs?

Oval Invincibles: Adam Rossington, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Glenn Maxwell, Dan Lawrence, Eoin Morgan, Kieron Pollard, Jordan Thompson, Nathan Ellis, Chris Wood, Brad Wheal, Mason Crane

London Spirit: Jason Roy, Will Jacks, Rilee Rossouw, Sam Billings, Sunil Narine, Sam Curran, Jack Leaning, Mohammad Hasnain, Tom Curran, Danny Briggs, Reece Topley

What are the odds?

The hosts are the favourites to prevail in this London derby at 8/11 while Spirit are 15/13 to kick off with a victory.

The latest Oddschecker summary of The Hundred can be found by clicking here.

What's the prediction?

Invincibles are the more settled line-up heading into the new season and are rightly favourites for this one. But, Spirit have improved during the off-season and don't underestimate the motivation of playing in the name of Shane Warne, who was due to coach them again before his untimely passing.

Where can I watch the game?

Sky Sports has live coverage of the match on their dedicated cricket channel (Sky 404, Virgin 504)

Now TV offer daily access to Sky Sports for £11.99 or monthly access for £33.99.

On radio, Test Match Special will have ball-by-ball commentary on 5Live Sports Extra.

The Cricketer will have text commentary of the game as well as post-match analysis and reaction. 

Visit The Cricketer's Hundred Hub for the latest news, team guides, competition information, squad listings and analysis.

Where can I watch the competition elsewhere in the world?

North America - Willow tv

Caribbean - ESPN

Sub-Saharan Africa - SuperSport

MENA - beIN Sports

Australia - Fox

New Zealand - Spark

Indian Subcontinent - FanCode


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