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On Saturday, Mitchell Santner showcased his exceptional athleticism while playing for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. During the 12th match of the tournament at The Oval in London, Santner made a remarkable diving catch to dismiss Sam Curran, a pivotal moment that contributed significantly to the Superchargers’ victory by 19 runs.
Oval Invincibles won the toss and chose to bowl first. Nicholas Pooran’s unbeaten 65 guided the Northern Superchargers to a total of 145/5. Matthew Short, opening the batting, scored 20, while Adam Hose (18) and Oliver Robinson (20) provided essential support further down the order.
The Superchargers’ total proved sufficient as the Oval Invincibles fell short by 19 runs. The Superchargers’ bowlers maintained consistent pressure throughout the innings, claiming wickets at regular intervals and preventing the Invincibles from gaining momentum.
Donovan Ferreira led the Invincibles’ batting with 49, but struggled with limited support as eight of his teammates failed to reach double digits. This lack of substantial contributions was crucial in their failure to chase down the target.
The Superchargers’ bowlers executed their plans effectively, with Jordan Clark and Matthew Potts each taking two wickets, and Adil Rashid also claiming two. Matthew Short and Mitchell Santner each contributed a wicket as well.
Santner’s standout moment came when he dismissed Sam Curran with the score at 59 for the Invincibles, who were then four wickets down. Curran attempted a lofted shot off a delivery from Short, but Santner’s spectacular diving catch at the long-on boundary ensured the crucial wicket and highlighted his athletic prowess.
Watch: Mitchell Santner’s Brilliant Effort To Dismiss Sam Curran
During the commentary on the match, former England captain Michael Atherton lauded Mitchell Santner’s remarkable performance, highlighting that Santner is often undervalued and his all-round skills don’t always receive the recognition they deserve.
Nicholas Pooran, who was named Man of the Match, commended the collective batting effort of his team and gave special recognition to the young captain, Harry Brook. Pooran noted Brook’s promising future as an international cricketer, underscoring his significant potential.
“As a batter, when you’re going you want to keep going. We wanted to break that momentum and focus on our execution. He (Brook) is brilliant as a captain, nice to see him get going from the get-go. For me it’s about being consistent with my mindset” said Pooran on Brook
“In the past, I’ve been in similar situations and got out. They bowled well with the new ball. Spencer bowled well. It got better as the innings progressed, so I wanted to construct a partnership. Getting back-to-back wins in a format like this is important. Coming outside our home, coming to the defending champions, and getting the job done feels great,” Pooran further said on his performance.
The Hundred, a premier short-format competition established by the ECB, features a unique 100-ball-per-side format, distinct from the traditional domestic T20 cricket rules.
The Oval Invincibles currently hold the title of Men’s Hundred champions, having claimed the trophy in the latest edition. The Southern Brave and the Trent Rockets have each won the title once as well. Launched in 2021, the 2024 season represents the fourth installment of this innovative tournament.
