Will Jacks century powers Oval Invincibles to thrilling win over defending champions Southern Brave
- Planet Sport writer
- 14 August 2022
Will Jacks bludgeoned the highest score in Hundred history to guide Oval Invincibles to their third straight victory as they beat Southern Brave by seven wickets.
Jacks, who struck 81 in his previous game against Welsh Fire, bettered that effort with a brutal assault on the Brave bowlers at the Oval - hammering an unbeaten 108 from 48 balls to overtake Will Smeed's 101 for Birmingham Phoenix four days earlier.
The 23-year-old's innings included eight sixes and 10 fours as the Invincibles coasted home with 18 deliveries unused.
It meant a third successive defeat for the inaugural Hundred champions, who laboured to 137 for six against some tight Invincibles bowling - a total that never looked sufficient to defend.
Star of the show, Will Jacks, told Sky Sports after the match: "That was a pretty amazing feeling.
"The most special thing was, every time I got on strike, everyone was cheering; I could feel that anticipation."
[On England hopes]: "There are so many good players out there that loads of people could be mentioned - obviously Smeedy scored the first hundred the other day and then I've done that tonight.
"There's so much competition, which encourages you to keep working hard. Obviously we want to play for England, so we've just got to keep pushing."
Oval Invincibles teammate Sam Billings added: "Tonight, that was all about one man really, wasn't it? Seriously special from Will Jacks.
"He deserved his hundred from ball one. He looked as if he was playing on a different wicket.
"He has been in class touch all year. And he showed it here tonight. On a good wicket, once he got in, there was no stopping him."
[On Jason Roy's form]: "It's a horrible place to be. We've all been there. But he is such a world-class performer, that it will turn. It's just about trusting that process."