English all-rounder and former RCB pacer David Willey bowled an exceptional new-ball spell as he dismantled the Jos Buttler-led Manchester Originals in the Men's Hundred competition.
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The Men's Hundred, which is a one-of-a-kind franchise-based league currently underway in the UK and is moving towards its business end. The 100-ball league has seen some exciting cricketing action with the England-based teams fighting for ultimate glory.
David Willey removes Originals top order
Manchester Originals, the Sanjiv Goenka-owned side, faced a thrashing defeat in the Men's Hundred competition as the Trent Rockets defeated them by 7 wickets with 26 balls to spare.
David Willey, the former RCB pacer, rattled the Originals' batting lineup in an exceptional display of new-ball bowling. The Rockets pacer picked up 3 wickets, giving away just 11 runs in his 20-ball spell.
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Willey's heroics restricted the visitors to a below-par score of 98 in their quota of 100 balls. None of the batters from the Originals' side managed to stick in and score big runs. Lewis Gregory was the only batter to pass the 30-run mark, scoring an unbeaten 33 to take his team close to 100.
The Originals' batters responded pretty well to the good work done by their bowlers. After a shaky start, Rehan Ahmad stitched a crucial 40-run partnership along with Tom Moores to see his side over the line.
What's next for the Originals and Rockets?
With the win, the Trent Rockets climbed to the second spot in the points table, while Manchester Originals slipped down to the sixth spot.
The top 3 teams will qualify for the knockouts, with the top-ranked team directly qualifying for the Finals, while the second and third teams will face off in the Eliminator.
As the tournament reaches its business end, the teams fight for the top 3 spots to ensure a birth in the knockout stages. Trent Rockets would feel comfortable, sitting right at the top, while the Originals would require a miraculous effort from here on to seal a knockout birth.