David Warner jumped to the top of The Hundred’s run scoring charts with a second successive half-century, but it was not enough for his London Spirit to defeat the Manchester Originals, falling short by ten runs at Old Trafford.
Warner made 71 off 51 balls, including hitting 12 fours and a six as he took his runs tally to 150 at an average of 75 after three matches.
The former Australian opener was caught down the leg side off the bowling of England Test quick Josh Tongue (3/29 off 20 balls) with the Justin Langer coached Spirit’s needing 38 runs from 14 balls for victory after the Originals posted 6/163 from their 100 balls.
Australia vs South Africa T20I & ODI Series | Watch every ball LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Former England white-ball captain Jos Buttler led the way for the hosts, crunching 46 off 37 after openers Phil Salt (31 off 20) and Ben McKinney (29 off 12) got the Originals off to a flyer.
The Spirit’s innings followed a very different script as Warner and New Zealand great Kane Williamson (19 off 20) struggled to find their rhythm early.
Warner was two off nine at one stage after being worked over by talented fast bowler Sonny Baker (1/21 off 20 balls).
The 22-year-old made his first-class debut for the England Lions against Australia A in January, and showed why he is a highly touted prospect for England despite succumbing to back injury in recent years.
Baker’s speed gun was regularly north of 140 km/h, swung the ball both ways and extracted significant bounce from an Old Trafford surface that has shown few glimpses of life all English summer in a player of the match winning display.
Warner struggled, playing and missing several times as Baker bowled the opening ten deliveries of the run chase.
But the left-hander found his groove against Tongue, including launching a six over backward square leg with the falling, sweep/hook shot that he and the likes of Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant use to great effect.
Soon enough Warner was 18 off 18 and his innings only gathered pace from then on, despite being struck at the non-striker’s end by a powerful Jamie Smith straight drive at one point, reaching his fifty in 35 deliveries.
Fellow Australian Ashton Turner chipped in with 13 off 7, but despite Warner’s efforts, the Spirit lost for the second time in three games to start the season, while the Originals picked up their first victory.