The Hundred: MI London ease past Southern Brave to ignite race for top spot

SOUTHAMPTON: A collective bowling effort, followed by Will Jacks's anchoring half-century, led MI London to an enthralling three-wicket victory in the ninth match of The Hundred men's competition here at The Rose Bowl on Monday.

MI London captain Sam Curran's decision to field first paid dividends as the visitors curtailed the Braves for a modest 129/9 as he, alongside Richard Gleeson, Trent Boult and Tom Curran, bagged two wickets each.

Right-handed opener Jamie Smith remained the top-scorer for the Braves with a quickfire 49 off 26 deliveries, comprising six fours and two sixes. He also shared a 46-run partnership for the third wicket with Tristan Stubbs, who made a 31-ball 38 with the help of three fours and a six.

Besides them, only batting all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary could amass double figures against a disciplined MI London bowling attack, mustering 13 off nine deliveries, hitting two fours.

In response, MI London chased down the 130-run target on the final delivery of the innings and lost seven wickets in the process.

Leading the way for the visitors was right-handed opener Jacks, who laid a solid foundation for a successful run chase with an anchoring 54 off 41 deliveries, studded with three fours and two sixes, which eventually earned him the Player of the Match award.

Jacks's efforts were backed by skipper Curran (30) and middle-order Sherfane Rutherford (21) as they raised an important 22-run partnership for the fifth wicket, which put MI London in touching distance of the target.

Marcus Stoinis was the standout bowler for the Braves as he picked up three wickets for 17 runs in his quota of 20 balls, while Adil Rashid and Chaudhary could claim one apiece.

The three-wicket victory, which marked MI London's second, consolidated their third spot in The Hundred men's competition's standings as they now have eight points in three matches, trailing leaders Manchester Super Giants and Welsh Fire due to a relatively inferior net run rate.

On the contrary, the outcome of the fixture extended Southern Braves' losing streak to three matches.