Invincibles vs Originals, 1st Match at London, Men's Hundred, Jul 22 2021 - Ball by Ball Commentary

9.25pm: Whoosh. The Hundred has landed its alien spacecraft on the lawn of English cricket, lasers set to stun. It's slick, it's noisy, and it's going to dominate the stage in high summer. Get strapped in, folks. Anyway, that's enough waffling for tonight - Miller is ballin' his way through the report, which will be up soon, and we'll be back for the first double-header, between the men's and women's teams of Birmingham Phoenix and Trent Rockets at Edgbaston tomorrow. Bye!

9.15pm: Not quite the same drama at the end, but the same result for the Oval Invincibles. The choons are belting out, the crowd sounds truly sozzled, and the Men's Hundred has also got off without a hitch. I thought they might struggle to defend 145 on a ground that's usually high-scoring, but all the bowlers did their bit - only Reece Topley went at more than 1.60 a ball - and Originals couldn't get any of the top order to bat through. Carlos Brathwaite attempted to roll back the years, but eventually plinked one to long-on rather than over the ropes.

Here's winning skip, and Player Hero of the Match, Sam Billings: "Unbelievable atmosphere, one of the best grounds in the world. Great to get first win on the board and follow the ladies' example. Very partisan here at the Oval, the support was phenomenal, local lads closed the game out brilliantly at the end. [Pitch?] Bit slow, we saw spin throughout. Used pitch been in the sun, what we expected. But it's about adapting, and thankfully we got enough on the board tonight. [Par score?] Definitely 150-160 on a good pitch. But on that pitch we were there or thereabouts. [Narine] He's phenomenal, done it all around the world, to have him on your side - batsmen coming in and facing that is as difficult as anything."

Originals captain Jos Buttler: [First thoughts?] "As the tournament goes on more things will unravel. Thought it was a great game, atmosphere, loved the product and had a great night. [Oval support] Lots of city rivalries, hope the cities back their franchise, nice to have a partisan side and we hope to have great support in Manchester. Bit of a challenge with our squad, guys pulling out but that has presented chances. They'll take an enormous amount from that, playing in the opening night of the Men's Hundred. [Compare to T20] Felt quicker, two balls into the five-ball over you have to make a decision. I like the opportunity to carry on [for ten], will create some great match-ups. Been great to see families, looks like they had a great nice tonight."

Flake time. One ball to come

Klaassen can't get out. But can he nail a boundary?

Fred Klaassen on strike, four to go

Sam Curran to bowl 'em

Originals need 19 from the last six five. Carlos only needed four in Kolkata five years ago...

"Interesting one here for the new playing conditions," says Matt Roller, "think they crossed by the time Curran took the catch but the new bat Hartley has to be on strike." Yep, Brathwaite wanted to go down, but he'll have to stand and watch for now

"Don't take me home!" is the boozy cry from the crowd. Last ten, from the Vauxhall End, Tom Curran for his final set

And the Invincibles call for their strategic timeout, with 26 needed off ten. Right in Carlos' wheelhouse, you'd have to say, although he's not connected with many so far tonight

Sounds like Billings is chivvying his players on. They will lose players outside the ring if they go over time (although the umpires will make some allowances)

"I thought this had to be finished by 9pm?" Yeeeaaahh, that's the idea, Jonny

Sam Curran takes over for the next set

Into the, ahem, death balls. Tom Curran back from the Pavilion End