Summary

  • Young bowlers Wheal & Cullen star as Spirit register their first victory

  • Originals fall short after thrilling finish

  1. Postpublished at 19:59 British Summer Time 10 August 2021

    Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Two

    Originals need to get off to a good start - it's a good total Spirit put up and the pitch is turning.

  2. Postpublished at 19:59 British Summer Time 10 August 2021

    Thanks Ffion.

    Really struggling to call this one at the moment.

    I think London Spirit are the worst-balanced side in the tournament and their team selection was odd.

    Mason Crane is their only out-and-out spinner and then they have all-rounders Mohammad Nabi and Roelof van der Merwe as other spinning options. (And part-timers Joe Denly and Dan Lawrence, but I don't think you can really count them in).

    Only Birmingham Phoenix also have just one out-and-out spinner in Imran Tahir, but their other options in Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone are better.

    Do Spirit have enough spin quality to limit the Originals on this turning pitch?

  3. Postpublished at 19:54 British Summer Time 10 August 2021

    Well, the crowd at Old Trafford could be in for a thriller here. A competitive total from the Spirit but Manchester Originals have a pretty destructive batting line-up.

    Here's Jack Skelton to take you through the chase.

  4. Postpublished at 19:45 British Summer Time 10 August 2021

    Quite a few talking points there - Rossington's 46, Eoin Morgan's 22 not out, Lockie Ferguson's 93mph bowling.

    But you can't look past this as the best of the lot, surely. Give him the Match Hero award for the celebration alone!

  5. Postpublished at 19:45 British Summer Time 10 August 2021

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Two

    Eoin Morgan will be disappointed not to finish off with a couple more boundaries but it's tough when you're facing Lockie Ferguson.

    I think 142 is a good score on this pitch and that Morgan will be happy wit that. Though the Originals will fancy their chances, they've been playing really well recently.

  6. Postpublished at 19:44 British Summer Time 10 August 2021

    Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Two

    That is a very good final ball by Lockie Ferguson.

  7. Spirit 142-6published at Ball 100

    And Eoin Morgan can't get anything off the final ball. That's a brilliant, ferocious spell of bowling from Lockie Ferguson on a pitch that was really helping the spinners more than anything.

    But I think Spirit will be happy with this score.

  8. Spirit 142-6published at Ball 99

    This one's hit Roelof van der Merwe on the glove before he'd even had a chance to play a shot! It's quick, it's lethal, but the batter manages to scamper a single.

  9. Spirit 141-6published at Ball 98

    Just a couple of singles. A good recovery from Ferguson after the no ball.

  10. Postpublished at 19:41 British Summer Time 10 August 2021

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Two

    A couple more boundaries will get Spirit to near 150 and that'll be a very tough total to chase on this spinning pitch.

  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:41 British Summer Time 10 August 2021

    #bbccricket

    RaviImage source, PA Media

    Mark Burt: Think this is tournament too far for Bopara. A lovely batter in his day but past his best. Surely there much younger players who could benefit from the exposure to pressure cricket and big crowds.

  12. Spirit 139-6published at Ball 96

    Just a single from the free hit. Eoin Morgan missed out there.

  13. Spirit 136-6published at Ball 95

    Oh no, it's a no ball first up! It doesn't bounce, Eoin Morgan manages to get some bat on it but he now has a free hit.

  14. Postpublished at 19:39 British Summer Time 10 August 2021

    No surprises to see Lockie Ferguson bowling the last five.

  15. Postpublished at 19:38 British Summer Time 10 August 2021

    Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Two

    It's bluff and double-bluff stuff at the moment. Clever batting from Van der Merwe.

  16. Spirit 133-6published at Ball 94

    And another! Van der Merwe swivels about in his crease and guides the ball for four.

    Clever batting, as Carlos Brathwaite had just adjusted his fielders.

  17. Postpublished at 19:37 British Summer Time 10 August 2021

    It's a sell-out at Old Trafford tonight... a tight finish later and it's going to be a great atmosphere!

    CrowdImage source, Getty Images
  18. Spirit 129-6published at Ball 92

    Well Eoin Morgan is happy to take the single but it's fine, because Roelof van der Merwe finds the boundary himself.

  19. New batter: Roelof van der Merwepublished at 19:36 British Summer Time 10 August 2021

    Roelof van der MerweImage source, BBC Sport
  20. Spirit 124-6published at Ball 90

    10 balls remaining and unfortunately for Spirit's batters, Lockie Ferguson has five left.

    Can Eoin Morgan find some sixes from somewhere?