By Huzaifa Yousafzai from Utilita Bowl
Southern Brave Men defeated London Spirit Men by 7 wickets as Craig Overton’s 3-16 and James Vince’s 56 runs from 35 balls headlined a comfortable home win for the inaugural champions.
The Brave’s powerful seam attack of Jofra Archer, Chris Jordan, Tymal Mills and Craig Overton took 8 out of the 9 wickets between them before a 95 run opening stand between Daniel Hughes and Vince made light work of the chase.
London Spirit lost wickets early and fell to 49-5 before Liam Dawson hit a quick-fire 45 on his home ground to give his side a small but defendable total.
London Spirit’s captain Dan Lawrence won the toss and chose to bat after being made available to play despite his presence in the England squad for the test series against West Indies.
Adam Rossington was the first to depart followed by Daniel Bell Drummond, both attempted a flick shot that was top edged before landing in the hands of a fielder inside the ring.
A quiet powerplay finished 23 for 2 and the pressure told on the visitors as Michael Pepper and then Ravi Bopara were both out caught at deep midwicket by Laurie Evans.
Shimron Hetmyer was next to fall, when his uppish drive landed in the hands of Leus Du Plooy at backward point as Tymal Mills collected his first wicket.
Just after planting Jofra Archer into the stands, West Indian superstar Andre Russell was caught at third man attempting an uppercut as the England fast bowler joined the wickets column.
Chris Jordan then entered the party when he got Dan Lawrence given out LBW as the visitors slumped to 95 for 7.
Australian Nathan Ellis fell next for a three ball duck when he skied one in the air before Vince completed a tough spiralling catch off the bowling of Mills.
Jordan proved his death bowling prowess by yorking Olly Stone and splattering his stumps but with the Spirit struggling, Liam Dawson smashed an incredible 45 from 19 balls guide his side to a respectable total of 138.
Southern Brave’s openers James Vince and Daniel Hughes started the chase perfectly, a rapid powerplay ended on 45 runs for the loss of no wickets.
After a mammoth 95 run opening stand, the breakthrough finally came as Australian Daniel Hughes was caught behind off the bowling of Ravi Bopara.
The Southern Brave skipper continued to motor on as Vince reached a 31 ball half century before eventually picking out Pepper at long-off to give Lawrence his first wicket.
Despite losing Alex Davies late in the chase, Evans and Du Plooy steered Southern Brave to a comfortable 7 wicket win with still 11 balls remaining.
