Manchester Originals chalked up their first win of the season after a solid all-round batting performance, London Spirit coming up just short in their chase after a late flurry set pulses racing. The Originals’ score, based on their powerful top four all totalling above 20, proved to be enough despite the evergreen David Warner’s half-century in response, an innings which made him this year’s leading men’s run-scorer.

Ben McKinney wowed the crowd early on with three monster sixes and two fours in his 12-ball 29, while Phil Salt for once played second fiddle. When he was out for 31, the Originals were 85 off just 44 balls with their sights set on 200. From there, however, Jos Buttler (46 off 37) and Heinrich Klaasen (24 off 17) struggled with their timing but the home side seemed quietly content with 163, the joint highest score in the men’s competition this season, alongside the Spirit’s 163 against the Welsh Fire on Saturday.

At the start of the Spirit innings, Sonny Baker bowled an electrifying ten balls, repeatedly beating Warner and going for just four runs. Warner and skipper Kane Williamson used their experience to weather the storm and take their side to 75 but run-scoring was never straightforward. Baker, the best bowler on display, bowled an average of 87mph and his aggression proved to be a genuine game-changer.

Jamie Smith and Ashton Turner both hit big sixes but two runs a ball for the last 40 proved just too many. Warner was eventually strangled down the leg side by Josh Tongue, who ended up with three wickets, and the Spirit ended up 10 runs shy after Jamie Overton hit 19 off seven balls at the death.

Meerkat Match Hero, Baker, said: “Massive win against a good side. We’re really happy with that.

“I was just trying to bowl fast, to swing the new ball, especially with left-handers, where my preference is to go away from them. Especially to David Warner. He’s a great player so I was worried if I was too wide! You’ve got a small margin for error but I am really grateful for the challenge and chuffed to get the win here today.

“It’s awesome. First game I opened the bowling with Sir Jimmy Anderson from the Sir Jimmy Anderson End, which was surreal! Bowling fast is what I find fun about the game and I want to nudge up near where some of the big boys are!”

Brief scores:
Manchester Originals 163 for 6 in 100 balls (Phil Salt 31, Ben McKinney 29, Jos Buttler 46, Heinrich Klassen 24, Lewis Gregory 10;  Jamie Overton 2-26, Olly Stone 2-27, Richard Gleeson 1-37, Jafer Chohan 1-36)  beat London Spirit 153 for 6 in 100 balls  (David Warner 71, Kane Williamson 19, Jamie Smith 12,  Ashton Turner 13, Jamie Overton 19; Sonny Baker 1-21, Josh Tongue 3-29, Scott Currie 1-26) by 10 runs

[Cricinfo]