Matthew Henry
BBC Sport cricket writer at The Ageas Bowl

Manchester Originals reached Saturday's men's Hundred final by racing to a five-wicket victory over London Spirit in Southampton.

Chasing 151, a destructive opening partnership between captain Laurie Evans and fellow opener Phil Salt helped the Originals power to 101-0 from just 49 balls.

Evans was devastating, crashing 72 from just 34 balls, while Salt hit a more understated 29 from 18 balls.

Both were out in quick succession as three wickets fell for seven runs but, despite Spirit captain Eoin Morgan's attempts to bring about an unlikely comeback, most of the work had been done.

Paul Walter was out for four and Tristan Stubbs 18 but Tom Lammonby ended 13 not out as the Originals reached their target with 11 balls to spare, sparking animated celebrations in the Originals' dugout.

They will meet group winners Trent Rockets in the final at Lord's but go into the match as the form side having won six consecutive matches.

The match will follow the women's final, which begins at 15:00 BST. The men's final starts at 18:30 BST. Both matches will be live on BBC Two (UK only).

What else happened?

• Both left-arm quick bowler Paul Walter and spinner Matt Parkinson were on hat-tricks at one stage of the Originals innings.
• Australian Ben McDermott top-scored with 59 from 38 balls in the Spirit's 150-7 while Ravi Bopara also also hit 34 from 16 to boost the score after an Originals fightback.
• Morgan, the former England captain, was one of Walter's three victims. He was caught for a first-ball duck.
• Evans, who took over as captain during the tournament when Eoin Morgan was injured, struck seven fours and three sixes in his knock.

Originals defy the odds to complete turnaround

Three games into the tournament, few people would have expected to see Manchester Originals - without a point to their name - in the final.

The withdrawals of Wanindu Hasaranga and Daniel Worrell on the eve of the tournament were the first major blows, Jamie Overton was ruled out by injury and a trio of defeats to start the campaign did nothing to lift the mood.

However, slowly they began to turn it around and despite losing influential skipper Jos Buttler to injury and key players like Sean Abbott and Andre Russell departing mid-competition, they put together six wins on the spin.

One more and they'll have a shiny new trophy to show for their efforts.

BBC Two

After a month of thrilling cricket, we have got just two matches left in The Hundred for 2022 - two finals!

You can watch all of it live on BBC Two from 14:30 BST tomorrow with radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 14:50 BST.

In the women's tournament it's a repeat of last year's showpiece as Oval Invincibles take on Southern Brave.

Then in the men's competition, Trent Rockets face Manchester Originals. Coverage starts at 18:00 BST on TV and 18:20 BST on the radio. You won't want to miss it!

Image source, Getty Images

London Spirit captain Eoin Morgan on Sky Sports: "It was lost with the bat. We were in a magnificent position to post 170-180. It was a great wicket and the foundation was built and we didn't capitalise on that.

"We spoke about breaking the partnership at the top and coming into the game but that just happened a little bit too late.

"We started well in the tournament but we haven't continued to get better. Some teams started slowly but have got better as the games have gone by. Manchester thoroughly deserve to be in the final - they have completely outplayed us, with the bat, ball and in the field.

"Chasing hasn't been out forte this year. Our bowling has been our strength so that is part of the reason we did what we did at the toss. Becoming a chasing team is black and white, it is just about getting over the line. We've not had top runscorers but we've always had enough, but not today.

"I'm not sure on my future at the moment. Next year's tournament is a long way away. I have loved retirement at the moment and spending more with my family. It has been magnificent."

Match hero Laurie Evans on Sky Sports: "I'd have enjoyed it a lot more if I could have finished off the job, but it's incredible for the team to get over the line.

"Six wins in a row and we go again once more!

"We felt like we had to go hard in the powerplay because we knew the pitch would break up and we didn't want to leave our guys in the middle order with too much to do.

"Different guys have stepped up at different times and that's been a key part to our success. It's been great fun to be a part of, I've never really played in a group of guys who enjoy playing together as much as we do.

"I'd rather have Jos Buttler here, he's a huge player and we miss him! But there's no secret to my captaincy. It's just a group of blokes having fun and working hard for one another.

"Trent Rockets have been fantastic all the way through and they'll be the ones under pressure to win it. We're just going to go there and enjoy it and hopefully cause an upset."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester Originals opener Phil Salt on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra: "We've played some good cricket over the last couple of weeks but we need to go again tomorrow and prove to people how good we are.

"It didn't get too nervy at the end because everyone came out with the intent to win the game. The scoreboard maybe suggested it was getting nervy but we got over the line pretty comfortably in the end.

"We've got momentum. We know if we play our best cricket we'll be there or thereabouts."

This was one of three sixes for Laurie Evans in his superb 72 from 34 balls. Ben McDermott gave him a helping hand on this occasion, though...

Carlos Brathwaite
West Indies all-rounder on BBC Radio

This wasn't as tense or emotionally draining for Originals and they have got an extra game under their belt.

Six wins on the spin for the Originals then. That's how you get into a final.

Despite that little wobble, the result was never seriously in doubt after the way Laurie Evans and Phil Salt started the chase.

The momentum is with them as they head to Lord's.

Carlos Brathwaite
West Indies all-rounder on BBC Two

It was a sensational start from Laurie Evans and Phil Salt and then it was a good knock from Tom Lammonby to see them over the line during what could have been an uncomfortable period.

A quick single and that does it! After losing their first three games, the Manchester Originals have surged back and are now into the final!

They were cruising in that chase, stuttered a bit but still got over the line with 11 balls to spare.

It's Trent Rockets v Manchester Originals at Lord's tomorrow evening then.

Carlos Brathwaite
West Indies all-rounder on BBC Two

I think that boundary sums up London Spirit's game.

Henry Moeran
BBC Radio

It is going to be Manchester Originals to the final! It missed both the fielders.

Scores are level! Flicked through mid-wicket by Turner. Not brilliant fielding and the Originals are so nearly there.

Good running after Lammonby clips the ball leg side. They get back for two and the Originals are one big shot away from Lord's.

Carlos Brathwaite
West Indies all-rounder on BBC Two

Well bowled Jordan Thompson, this time he was unlucky. It's all done for Manchester Originals, unless something dramatic happens.

Four more! It's streaky but Lammonby won't care. He charges Thompson, throws his hands at it and the outside edge goes wide of the wicketkeeper and away for four.

That could be the telling blow for the Originals. They're just eight runs away form the final.

Henry Moeran
BBC Radio

Poor ball from Thompson. It's almost done now. Really good batting from these two.

A freebie for Lammonby. On the hip from Thompson and the left-hander can just glance it fine. A valuable boundary to ease the pressure again.

Image source, Getty Images

Tom Lammonby is out to join Turner. The game is still in favour of the Originals but it is getting tighter by the delivery.

Carlos Brathwaite
West Indies all-rounder on BBC Two

He'll be upset with that. Poor shot, being in such control, knowing he is going well through the gears.

Could he have hit that same ball in another area? That is what he will be most upset with.