Sam Curran holds his nerve as Invincibles win last-ball thriller
Written by I Dig SportsOval Invincibles 164 for 8 (S Curran 68, Jacks 41) beat Manchester Originals 161 for 7 (Hurst 50, Curran 2-16, Zampa 2-30, ) by three runs
The England allrounder conceded just three runs from the final five balls of the game as Invincibles snatched victory by just three runs to go top of the table.
Curran is the form man of the men's competition, after claiming a hat-trick and hitting a half-century last time out against London Spirit, and was at it again in Manchester clearing the ropes on six occasions on his way to 68 from 38 balls before his heroics with the ball.
Defeat ends the hopes of the Originals, finalists in the past two years, of reaching the knockout stage.
Salt has made his name as England's hard-hitting opener and while he made a fast start, it was Hurst who stole the limelight with an array of stunning strokes to get the home crowd roaring.
Paul Walter unleashed a couple of big hits but Wayne Madsen was retired not out and replacement Sikandar Raza was immediately caught in the deep.
Jamie Overton blasted a six, but then edged Curran behind, as Curran got to work on closing out the match.
Usama Mir missed a slower ball and, with four needed from the final delivery, he could only pick out Tom Lammonby 10 yards inside the leg-side rope.
Curran said: "I thought with the ball it felt like we bowled really well. I think our success at the moment is just the self belief.
"Everyone is able to step up and it can always be someone different. The Hundred format is good because you can always feel in the game. You can squeeze the new batter with those 10 balls from one end. We're winning close games and really pleased."