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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Malik Ouzia

The Hundred 2024: Oval Invincibles host Birmingham Phoenix in opening game

The Kia Oval will host this year’s Hundred opener on July 23, with the home Invincibles meeting Birmingham Phoenix in a double-header of men’s and women’s matches. 

Oval’s men were crowned champions last summer, while the women surrendered the title they had won in each of the first two editions to Southern Brave. 

London Spirit start their campaign away to Brave on day two of the tournament at the newly renamed Utilita Bowl in Southampton. 

Lord’s will again play host to the final on August 18, while the Oval will stage the ‘eliminator’ between the second- and third-placed teams in both competitions a day earlier.

Unlike last year, when the tournament was played in a window entirely free of international cricket, the start of this summer’s competition will overlap with the Third Test of the men’s series between England and West Indies, which begins on July 26. 

“I think the third year of The Hundred was a huge step forward for the competition,” said England’s Sam Curran, part of the victorious Invincibles side. “As players, it’s really good to play in. We know the standard is top quality but with every year we play it the format itself becomes part of the event. 

“We saw so many close finishes last year in the men’s competition and close contests are so good for bringing fans in. We’d love to be back at Lord’s in August to try and defend our trophy but we’re also looking forward to getting back out in front of our fans at The Kia Oval.”

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