Originals clamp Warner blitz to register first victory as Jos Buttler anchors hosts’ batting en route to win.
Following a strong all-around batting display, Manchester Originals recorded their first victory of the season. London Spirit narrowly lost their chase as a late burst got hearts racing. David Warner responded with a half-century, making him this year’s top men’s run scorer, but the Originals’ score, which was predicated on their potent top four all scoring over 20, was sufficient.
Phil Salt, for once, took a backseat to Ben McKinney, who impressed the fans early on with three enormous sixes and two fours in his 12-ball 29. The Originals were aiming for 200 and were 85 off 44 balls when he was out for 31. The host team were quietly satisfied with 163, the joint-highest total in the men’s competition this season, together with the Spirit’s 163 against the Welsh Fire on Saturday. However, Jos Buttler (46 off 37) and Heinrich Klaasen (24 off 17) struggled with their timing after that.
Sonny Baker bowled a thrilling ten balls at the beginning of the Spirit innings, frequently defeating Warner and conceding just four runs. Although Warner and captain Kane Williamson weathered the storm and led his team to 75, it was never easy to score runs. The finest bowler on show, Baker, bowled at an average of 87 mph and changed the game with his intensity.
Ashton Turner and Jamie Smith both hit huge sixes, but the final 40 runs at a rate of two runs each ball proved to be too much. Josh Tongue, who took three wickets, eventually strangled Warner down the leg side, and Jamie Overton scored 19 off seven balls at the end to leave the Spirit 10 runs short.
Meerkat Match Hero, Baker, said: “Massive win against a good side. We’re really happy with that.
“I was just trying to bowl fast, to swing the new ball, especially with left-handers, where my preference is to go away from them. Especially to David Warner. He’s a great player so I was worried if I was too wide! You’ve got a small margin for error but I am really grateful for the challenge and chuffed to get the win here today.
“It’s awesome. First game I opened the bowling with Sir Jimmy Anderson from the Sir Jimmy Anderson End, which was surreal! Bowling fast is what I find fun about the game and I want to nudge up near where some of the big boys are!”