'AMAZING' JACKS POWERS OVAL INVINCIBLES TO BACK-TO-BACK THE HUNDRED TITLES

Will Jacks delivered a superb all-round performance to power the Oval Invincibles to a second consecutive men’s The Hundred title at Lord’s last night.

The Invincibles defeated the Southern Brave by 17 runs to claim back-to-back championships.

The Pretoria Capitals star kickstarted the Invincibles’ innings with a thunderous cover drive over deep point off former MI Cape Town fast bowler Jofra Archer for the first maximum.

Jacks’ next target was Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s Craig Overton. A fullish delivery from Overton was sent straight back over the bowler’s head for another six.

But the real carnage began with the introduction of West Indian spinner Akeal Hosein. As Capitals’ fans at Centurion can attest to, Jacks enjoys depositing the slower bowlers on to the grass banks.

At Lord’s, Jacks sent consecutive boundaries racing over the luscious outfield before slamming a quicker delivery from the left-arm spinner for his third six of the innings.

Unfortunately for Jacks and the Invincibles, that was the last of the batting entertainment for the night as he missed a full toss from Tymal Mills shortly afterwards to depart for 37 off just 22 balls (2x4, 3x6).

Former MI Cape Town all-rounder Sam Curran and Sunrisers Eastern Cape batter Jordan Cox maintained the momentum for the Invincibles with 25 runs apiece as the defending champions set the Brave a challenging 148 for victory. 

Jacks’ contribution on the night was not, however, limited to his batting exploits. He delivered the major wicket of Brave skipper James Vince (24 off 22 balls) at crucial juncture to finish with figures of 1/14 from his 10 deliveries. 

Joburg Super Kings’ top-order batter Leus du Plooy tried to keep the chase going with 20 off 14 balls, but he was the first of fast bowler Saqib Mahmood’s three victims in the space of 10 balls that sealed the victory for the Invincibles. 

Former MI Cape Town captain Kieron Pollard was the second as the big West Indian fell LBW for a duck as the Brave’s challenge fell away. 

"Amazing feeling, last five balls, when you know you're going to win, amazing! Jacks said. 

“I've struggled for runs, but I know my role and did well today.”

And on dismissing Brave captain Vince. 

“People look to target me, nipped it down the slope, huge moment!” he added.