Oval Invincibles land statement win as Zampa, Mahmood, Amir thrive
Billings, Malan seal emphatic eight-wicket win over Birmingham Phoenix at The Oval
Billings, Malan seal emphatic eight-wicket win over Birmingham Phoenix at The Oval
Scorer: Ranjith P | Commentator: Alan Gardner
8.42pm: After the pyrotechnics of the women's game, it's a low-scorer to kick of the men's Hundred. But the home fans won't mind a jot, with the boys and girls in teal prevailing on both occasions. Phoenix chose to bat this evening but got nowhere, reduced to 10 for 4 before limping to 89 all out. Invincibles lost a couple in the powerplay but were eventually powered to their target by Sam Billings' 31 from 28, as he made up for a slow start to hit the winning runs
Adam Zampa is the Match Hero for his figures of 3 for 11: "Nice to start that way at home, continue our success from last year, so a good feeling. Not much of a spinning wicket. I enjoy bowling here, attack the stumps as much as possible and it worked. Chat about what we did well, what worked well in particular, the lengths we bowl, lots of guys have experience. Really enjoyable, I love playing the Hundred. It feels alien but once you're playing it's T20 with a couple of tactical changes that I love. One of my favourite stadiums to play, in front of a packed crowd."
Right, that's yer lot for opening night at T'Oval. Matt Roller was at the ground and will be giving his considered verdict on the site. We'll be back for another double-header tomorrow. Cheerio!
Tiggsy: "I wonder if about now Southee is dreading a season of defending tiny totals..." He probably doesn't mind, so long as he gets his bucket of Butterkist
Dan Mousley on, spin for the first (and probably last) time
Southee has bowled out, decent figures of 2 for 20
Despite the ambitions of the ECB, tournament remains hostage to market forces
Billings, Malan seal emphatic eight-wicket win over Birmingham Phoenix at The Oval