Two-time defending champions Oval Invincibles moved clear at the top of the men’s Hundred table by emphatically beating Southern Brave by seven wickets.
After their batters piled up a record score on Saturday, the bowlers took the leading role in Southampton by dismissing their hosts for 133.
Australia left-arm quick Jason Behrendorff took two wickets with the new ball and when Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan took three wickets in his first five balls Brave were 44-6 after 40 balls.
Though Hilton Cartwright hit 42 to boost the score, Sam Curran took three wickets and completed a run-out to wrap up the innings in 98 balls.
Will Jacks and Tawanda Muyeye have been the competition’s in-form opening partnership this year but both fell in the powerplay.
From 18-2, Jordan Cox and Curran combined for a stand of 101 in 64 balls, however, to steer Invincibles away from any danger.
Cox, who made a thrilled with 86 not out against Welsh Fire on Saturday, impressed again with 56 from 37 balls while Curran – left out of England’s white-ball squads on Friday – finished 50 not out to lead his side home with 11 balls to spare.
With four wins from five, Invincibles are now four points clear at the top of the table and, given their massive net run-rate advantage, effectively only need one win from their final three matches to finish in the top three.
