Manchester Originals men’s team just narrowly missed out on winning The Hundred this year, falling just 14 runs short of the mark as the Oval Invincibles lifted their first title to become 2023 champions in what was a record-breaking final.
After a thrilling eliminator to secure their spot in the final two on Saturday, with Jos Buttler leading an impressive charge to chase down 197 and beat Southern Brave by seven wickets, it looked as though the momentum was on the Originals’ side. They certainly got off to a good start on Sunday too.
Some impressive fast bowling saw the Invincibles stunted to just 34-5 after 36 balls, with Richard Gleeson finding Jason Roy’s edge, while both Paul Striling and Sam Curran were also caught behind for a duck as the Manchester side took three wickets from just 15 runs.
It was looking like an absolute masterclass at one point.
However, it was the other Curran brother, Tom, who helped gain the Invincibles a foothold and after paring up with Jimmy Neesham, the duo smacked home an unbeaten 127 from 65 balls, the highest batting partnership ever in men’s Hundred.
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The Londoners went on to post 161-5, leaving the Manchester side with more work to do than they might have initially expected after their flying start, putting in a valiant display as they chased down 162.
Having already overcome a stronger tally less than 24 hours earlier, the Originals rightly fancied their chances.
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Unfortunately, with captain Buttler going out early, it was up to Phil Salt, Max Holden and Jamie Overton to do their best and try to stay in the game — and they very nearly did.
Ultimately, it was the Currans, Neesham and that incredible tally that gave the local team the lifeline as broke the previous record of 124 set by Dawid Malan and D’Arcy Short for the Trent Rockets in the inaugural Hundred tournament back in 2021.
It was the Originals’ second consecutive defeat in the final following a two-wicket loss to Trent Rockets in 2022 and a club third for Invincibles overall, with the women’s team having won the last two competitions.
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The women’s champions came in the form of Southern Brave this year, beating the Northern Superchargers to their first title by a comfortable 34 runs. As for Manchester Originals’ women’s team, they finished seventh on six points, only finishing behind London Spirit on net run rate.
Here’s the moment the Invincibles sealed the men’s title:
Another year, another step closer to that first Hundred title for the Manchester Originals, just not this time around.
Regardless, even with the weather against them throughout his year’s tournament, they never failed to entertain and we’re sure they’ll come back even stronger next year.
It’s been yet another great edition of The Hundred and it’s no surprise to see why this fast-paced format has already taken off in such a short space of time. Until next time.
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You can see the full highlights of Oval Invincibles vs Manchester Originals in The Hundred 2023 men’s final down below:
Featured Image — Manchester Originals/The Hundred (via Instagram)
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Phil Foden picks up Premier League Player of the Year for 2023/24
Danny Jones
Manchester City forward Phil Foden has picked up the Premier League’s Player of the Year award for the 2023/24 season.
Having enjoyed the best statistical campaign to date, with two games still left to play, the Stockport-born star City and England star has swept up his first-ever Premier League POTY award at the age of 23.
The attacking midfielder has already swept up Young Player of the Year twice in his career (2021 and 2022), which was awarded to former teammate Cole Palmer on Friday, and this accolade just goes to show how much of a first-team star he’s become over the past couple of years.
With both awards going to Manc footballers and Foden being the first Englishman to win it since Jamie Vardy in 2015/16, you’ll hear no complaints from us.
Foden has 25 goals and 11 assists this season, his highest tally ever, and with the chance of a domestic double still looming, he could be set for another unreal 12 months in sky blue.
Pep Guardiola’s side simply needs to beat West Ham this Sunday to win their fourth consecutive Premier League title and with a Manchester derby FA Cup final waiting for them next week, the local lad has a big fortnight ahead of him.
Having already become a treble winner with Man City last season, not to mention emerging as one of the first names on the team sheet for the Three Lions, he’s graduated from one of the most talented youngsters to one of the most impressive in Europe – and he’s got the stats to back it up.
Here’s hoping he can round off this year with some more silverware while wearing an England shirt. Here are some of his highlights from this season:
A huge congratulations to Phil Foden on winning the 23/24 Premier League Player of the Year; regardless of who you support, you can’t deny he’s been unreal this season.
In fact, his emergence as a senior figure and somewhat of a leader in this current City side has given us a lot faith for the summer and we’re more convinced than ever that Gareth Southgate must try and build around him if we stand a chance of going for in Euro 2024.
Is it coming home and will a lad from Stockport play a big part in bringing it here?
Cole Palmer wins Premier League’s Young Player of the Year for 2023/24
Danny Jones
Manchester-born and bred footballer, Cole Palmer, has won the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year award for 2023/24 following a spectacular breakthrough campaign.
The ex-Manchester City youth product made his big-money move to Chelsea at the start of this season and has been comfortably one of the best players in the league this year, once again proving the old adage that if you’re good enough you’re old enough.
Sitting second in the race for the Golden Boot behind former teammate Erling Haaland and shining as one of the most creative midfielders in Europe in his first full season, you could have banked on him winning it months ago.
🔵⭐️ OFFICIAL: Cole Palmer wins the award as Premier League Young Player of the Year. 🧊
Chelsea star has scored 22 goals and provided 10 assists in Premier League this season. pic.twitter.com/HYpthQiOU3
Having bagged a hattrick in Chelsea’s remarkable turnaround against Manchester United as well as bagging four against Everton, just to name a couple of his most impressive performances over the past 12 months, he doesn’t like a player who only made a handful of appearances last year.
With the 22-year-old fittingly netting 22 goals not to mention 10 assists and quickly establishing himself as Mauricio Pochettino’s main man, despite the multi-billion squad assembled around him, it’s been nothing short of a remarkable emergence onto the biggest stage.
Having earned his first senior international call-up through his efforts too, he now looks set to be one the players England fans are dying to see start at the Euros – the point where many Blues are now wondering whether they made a mistake letting him go.
Congratulations to the Wythenshawe native on his well-deserved award and we sincerely look forward to seeing what he does in an England shirt this summer.
As for who will pick up the outright Premier League Player of the Year, surely Palmer picking up the youth award means that Phil Foden is set to mop up the main prize?
A clean sweep for Manc footballers. We like the sound of that.