Jordan Cox believes Oval Invincibles’ third consecutive Hundred title is right down to a settled squad and issued an impassioned defence of the 100-ball competition forward of potential modifications subsequent yr.
Cox completed as males’s Participant of the Yr after an excellent tally of 367 runs, together with a knock of 40 in a one-sided closing towards Trent Rockets on Sunday.
Essex batter Cox shared an 87-run stand with Will Jacks, who smashed 72 to assist Invincibles submit 168 for 5 and Rockets struggled to 142 for eight in reply with Nathan Sowter the choose of the successful bowlers with three for 25.
This was the ultimate version of the event in its present guise with the possession of the eight franchises now in new arms after the England and Wales Cricket Board offered every group off in a big-money public sale earlier this summer time.
Invincibles have retained a core group of gamers because the inaugural competitors in 2021, however underneath new house owners the Ambani household – who run Mumbai Indians within the Indian Premier League – a reputation change might happen and the squad could also be damaged up.
Disruption?
Cox mentioned: “It may very well be (disrupted). I’ve seen issues, however I don’t know if they’re 110 per cent but.
“Clearly it’s good to play with those who you recognize. I’ve now been with this group for 5 years and it’s superb.
“You construct an excellent reference to them and I believe that’s the reason we play higher. We’re a group that has seven gamers nonetheless within the group (from day one) and also you construct a relationship outdoors of cricket as nicely.”
Requested how he would really feel about wholesale modifications, Cox admitted: “Yeah, devastated, however what might be, might be.
“We’ll attempt our greatest to maintain just a little group collectively, however the world and the cricket world is altering. No matter they do, individuals within the hierarchy will try this. We’ll simply attempt to play cricket and entertain.”
New possession might end result within the 100-ball competitors being switched to the worldwide Twenty20 format.
However Cox warned: “I completely love the format. I believe it’s the most effective format. I do know just a few individuals need it to go to T20, however why would you need to be the second greatest comp on this planet?
“We stand out with this. You might be by no means going to be higher than the IPL, so what’s the purpose of fixing and being second greatest? That is good for English cricket. Pals, household and youngsters love to come back and watch, so why destroy it? That’s my private opinion in fact.”
The Last
As soon as Jacks had blitzed his strategy to 72 and Sowter diminished Rockets to 37 for 3, the end result was a formality, regardless of Marcus Stoinis’ gutsy cameo of 64 on the loss of life.
Rockets captain David Willey felt Saturday’s rain-affected Eliminator – which needed to be deserted after solely 5 balls in reply to Northern Superchargers’ 119 for 5 – had taken its toll on his facet, who additionally misplaced Sam Cook and Lockie Ferguson to pre-match accidents.
“Yesterday was not splendid. Not that it’s an excuse however lengthy day. Finally we didn’t put in our greatest efficiency. Down a bit with the ball in areas after which just a little bit with the bat. General we had been simply outplayed by a greater group,” Willey mentioned.
“Our angle was very a lot to place our greatest efficiency in and we haven’t accomplished that.”
READ MORE: Who impressed and who struggled in the 2025 Men’s Hundred
