Pooran powers Superchargers to win over Invincibles

Trinidadian Nicholas Pooran made his second half-century in The Hundred

The Hundred men's competition, Kia Oval

Northern Superchargers 145-5 (100 balls): Pooran 65* (41); S Curran 2-20

Oval Invincibles 126-9 (100 balls): Ferreira 49 (24); Potts 2-18

Superchargers won by 19 runs

Scorecard. Table

Nicholas Pooran's brutal unbeaten 65 proved the difference as Northern Superchargers claimed a 19-run win over Oval Invincibles in The Hundred men's competition.

Superchargers head coach Andrew Flintoff was handed the first pick in the draft back in March and plumped for wicketkeeper-batter Pooran on the basis of his destructive match-winning hitting.

The left-hander again showed why Flintoff put faith in him as he whacked four sixes and four fours in his knock off 41 balls which helped the Superchargers to 145-5.

Matthew Short and Ollie Robinson chipped in with 20 runs apiece while Sam Curran claimed 2-20 for the Invincibles.

The total would prove beyond the Invincibles as their top order failed to fire in the face of some tight bowling from the Superchargers.

Donovan Ferreira took 15 off an Adil Rashid set to give the Invincibles a glimmer of hope, but when he was caught in the deep for 49 off Matthew Potts with eight balls remaining, the result became a formality.

What else do you need to know?

• Oval Invincibles had been the only unbeaten side left in the men's tournament but saw their two-match run ended as Northern Superchargers made it back-to-back victories. Both teams are on four points along with Trent Rockets, Southern Brave and Birmingham Phoenix

• England players Will Jacks (7), Sam Billings (2) and Curran (2) failed to make an impact with the bat for the Invicibles as they slid to 60-5 off 57 balls.

• Rashid (2-28), Jordan Clark (2-26) and Potts (2-18) all bowled impressively for the Superchargers, who fielded superbly with Adam Hose and Mitchell Santner both taking brilliant catches on the boundary.

• Pooran's half-century was his second in The Hundred but he did offer a catching chance when he sliced one high down to third. However, Saqib Mahmood misjudged it and then let the ball slip under him for four.

'Pooran showed his class' - what they said

Northern Superchargers captain Harry Brook: "Nicholas Pooran is one of the best players in the world. He's just so powerful and unbelievable against spin. He's not just a really good player but talks to all the lads about batting as well.

"It's a pretty amazing win given how strong Oval Invincibles are in both suits of the game. To manage to get over the line was really good."

Hero of the match Nicholas Pooran of Northern Superchargers: "For me it is all about being consistent and playing the situation of the game. They bowled well with the new ball but for me it was all about being there. I felt anything over 130 would be game on and I knew we would get that if I stayed until the end."

Oval Invincibles captain Sam Billings: "Nicholas Pooran showed his class. We just didn't get going, apart from Donovan at the end. It was a one-man show, and just a shame nobody else could contribute. It was a frustrating night."

What is happening on Saturday?

There are four matches in The Hundred on Saturday.

Birmingham Phoenix host Southern Brave (women's at 11:00 BST, men's at 14:30) at Edgbaston while Trent Rockets (women at 14:30 and men at 18:00) welcome Welsh Fire to Trent Bridge.

You can follow commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.

You will also be able to watch Phoenix v Brave in the men's competition live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and via the BBC Sport website with coverage starting at 14:15.