In a heart-stopping finish, Southern Brave eked out a dramatic 1-wicket win over Manchester Originals in Match 2 of The Hundred 2025 at Emirates Old Trafford. Chasing a modest 132 for victory on a tricky pitch, the Brave’s tailenders scripted a sensational turnaround in the dying embers of the contest.
Key Highlights
- Manchester Originals: 131/4 in 100 balls (Phil Salt 50, Chapman cameo; Tymal Mills 3-22).
- Southern Brave: 132/9 in 99 balls (Jason Roy spark, Overton’s late fireworks, Topley’s finishing blow).
- Turning Point: Craig Overton’s 6, 4, 4 off Baker in the penultimate set.
- Final Blow: Reece Topley’s unbeaten four with No. 11 on his back ensured a memorable Brave win.
Manchester Originals Set a Defendable Total
After being put in to bat, the Originals put up 131/4 in their 100 balls. Phil Salt was the early aggressor with a well-constructed 50 off 41 balls, providing the hosts a flying start. However, tight bowling and tough batting conditions saw the Originals lose momentum, with big-hitters unable to score freely. Chapman contributed a vital cameo near the end, pushing Manchester to a competitive total, but the Southern Brave attack, led by Tymal Mills (3-22), kept runs in check.
Southern Brave’s Rocky Start
Southern Brave’s chase began on a shaky note, losing their captain James Vince early to a sharp delivery from Baker. The Originals’ bowlers, especially during a miserly powerplay that conceded just 29 runs, put the squeeze on the Brave’s top order and picked up wickets at regular intervals. Jason Roy showed glimpses of form with a quickfire burst (including a sequence of 4, 6, 4 off Anderson), but the chase stalled again as wickets tumbled.
Power-Packed Finale: Mills, Overton, and Topley Turn Heroes
With 26 runs needed from the final 11 balls and only two wickets left, Southern Brave looked down and out. However, Tymal Mills swung momentum back with a vital six. The real twist came in the penultimate set when Craig Overton smashed Baker for a sequence of 6, 4, 4, making it almost run-a-ball for the last few balls.
Just when it seemed Brave would canter home, Mills holed out, leaving 3 required from the last 2 balls and No. 11 Reece Topley on strike. In a moment set for folklore, Topley slashed his first ball for four, sealing an extraordinary win for the visitors with one ball to spare.
Summary
Southern Brave’s campaign is off to a thrilling start thanks to an ice-cool finish from their lower order. The Originals, after holding the upper hand for most of the contest, will rue not closing out the game in the final overs. As the dust settles on an instant Hundred classic, this contest will be remembered for its nerve, late-game twists, and a No. 11’s fearless answer to pressure.
The Hundred 2025: Updated Men’s Points Table (as of August 7, 2025)
The opening fixtures of The Hundred Men’s Competition 2025 have shaken up the standings as teams jostle for early momentum. Here’s the most recent points table after Southern Brave’s nail-biting win over Manchester Originals:
| Position | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | No Result | Points | Net Run Rate | Recent Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oval Invincibles (Men) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +1.641 | W |
| 2 | Southern Brave (Men) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +0.213 | W |
| 3 | Manchester Originals (Men) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -0.213 | L |
| 4 | London Spirit (Men) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1.641 | L |
| 5 | Welsh Fire (Men) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | — |
| 6 | Birmingham Phoenix (Men) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | — |
| 7 | Northern Superchargers (Men) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | — |
| 8 | Trent Rockets (Men) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | — |
Southern Brave’s thrilling victory takes them to second place, level on points with the Oval Invincibles but trailing on net run rate. Manchester Originals and London Spirit are yet to open their account. With plenty of matches ahead, early trends are set for a fascinating season of strategic cricket.