Will Jacks starred in a second consecutive Hundred remaining to assist Oval Invincibles make it three titles in a row with a complete 26-run success over Trent Rockets at Lord’s.
Jacks top-scored with 37 in a low-scoring showpiece in opposition to Southern Courageous in 2024, however this time demonstrated his full repertoire of pictures in a bludgeoning innings of 72 off 41 balls.
Rockets progressed into the ultimate after Saturday’s Eliminator with Northern Superchargers was deserted solely 5 balls into their chase attributable to heavy rain at Kia Oval.
A stronger net-run-rate despatched Rockets by, however no extra luck adopted as they misplaced Lockie Ferguson to harm within the warm-up, George Linde suffered a dislocated finger and Jacks was given a life on 28 by a Marcus Stoinis no-ball.
After Jacks smashed Invincibles to 168 for 5 with seven fours and two maximums, Nathan Sowter claimed three wickets in six balls – together with Joe Root for a subdued 10 – to finish the ultimate as a contest earlier than the midway level of Rockets’ innings, with the runners-up finally closing on 142 for eight.
Luck instantly abandoned Rockets at Lord’s after they benefited from moist climate within the capital on Saturday evening, with Sam Cook dominated out with a damaged thumb and fellow seamer Ferguson injured within the warm-up.
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First Innings
Dillon Pennington was drafted in and whereas he accounted for Tawanda Muyeye (15) together with his first ball of the match, in-form Jacks had already signalled his intentions.
Two boundaries throughout David Willey’s first three deliveries set out Jacks’ stall, however a vital second occurred when he was caught by Linde for 28 off Stoinis.
Stoinis’ pleasure was short-lived as his full toss was deemed a waist-high no-ball and it allowed England batter Jacks to motor in direction of one other important rating this summer season.
Jacks’ fifty off 32 balls was introduced up with an enormous slog-sweep for six off Rehan Ahmed and Jordan Cox adopted it up together with his personal most.
Leg-spinner Ahmed had the final snort when Cox edged behind for 40, however solely after he performed his half in a match-winning 87-run partnership for the second wicket.
Willey suffered extra punishment from Jacks with back-to-back boundaries earlier than Stoinis, who completed with costly figures of two for 40, lastly acquired his man.
Jacks picked out substitute fielder Calvin Harrison – on after Linde harm his finger in a caught-and-bowled alternative – at deep midwicket after a well-made 72.
With 15 deliveries left, Donovan Ferreira and Sam Curran despatched lusty blows into the stands to assist the group winners put up a formidable complete of 168 for 5 – the joint highest in a Hundred remaining.
Second Innings
Rockets wanted a speedy begin in reply, however Root struggled to get on strike.
Tom Banton was capable of free his arms in opposition to Jason Behrendorff, however Australian leg-spinner Sowter stepped up in Rashid Khan’s absence and shortly tightened Invincibles’ stranglehold.
Firstly, Root was out for 10 off 13 balls when his try and loft a drive over the boundary rope discovered the protected fingers of Jacks and Sowter had a second wicket two deliveries later when Ahmed was bowled for a duck.
Sowter then had Banton caught by Cox for 23 to go away Rockets on 37 for 3 throughout a decisive six-ball spell.
Invincibles had been nearly assured a 3rd consecutive title by this level and regardless of Stoinis taking place swinging with a powerful 5 sixes in a knock of 64, Rockets completed on 142 for eight.
