Oval Invincibles - A dynasty on the verge of a historic three-peat

The Oval Invincibles are on the cusp of an incredible three-peat, having established themselves as a dominant force in The Hundred. In a format where chaos and unpredictability are the norms, they are rewriting the narrative. With a win percentage approaching 70% - a figure that places them among the best T20 franchises in the world - they have consistently outperformed their rivals. They are well-positioned to achieve this remarkable feat at Lord's on Sunday, a venue where they are not only unbeaten but are also on a six-match winning streak.

Their recent run of form has been particularly spectacular, with a staggering 77% win rate since the start of 2023. They have lost just five of their 26 matches in that period, far and away the best record in the league. Their success is no accident. The Invincibles have stayed ahead of the curve through smart team building and astute in-game strategy, which has put them on the precipice of a historic three-peat.

A strong English foundation

The Invincibles' success is built on a stable and reliable domestic core. In a league with only three overseas spots, a deep pool of local talent is a significant advantage, and no other team has maintained a core group like the Invincibles. Six of their players - Sam Billings, Will Jacks, Jordan Cox, Nathan Sowter, and the brothers Tom and Sam Curran - have been with the team since the inception of the league in 2021. This group provides invaluable local knowledge, as many are regulars for Surrey, the host county, and their neighbouring county, Kent.

When Saqib Mahmood was injured, another local player Gus Atkinson seamlessly stepped in during the 2023 season. He finished as the team's second-highest wicket-taker and used the opportunity as a springboard to cement his place in the England national team. The only area where the team has sought new talent is in finding a consistent opening partner for Will Jacks, a role now filled by Tawanda Muyeye, who has often provided the quick starts, especially in home fixtures.

Strategic overseas recruitment

The Invincibles have masterfully used their overseas slots to fill specific gaps in their squad. Instead of just bringing in big names, they've targeted players who provide a premium skill set that is scarce in English domestic cricket.

Middle-Order hitters: After mixed results with the likes of Colin Ingram and Hilton Cartwright in the first two seasons, they struck gold with Heinrich Klaasen in 2023 and Donovan Ferreira since 2024. Ferreira has been particularly impactful, with a blistering strike rate of 210 over two seasons, making him one of the most destructive hitters in the competition's history. Ferreira has a first five ball strike rate of 196.55 - the best by a distance in the history of the tournament - making him an invaluable asset in the middle order.

Attacking Spin: Recognizing the lack of high-quality attacking spinners in England beyond Adil Rashid, they've consistently recruited from abroad. After Sunil Narine's economical but less penetrative seasons in 2021-22, the team brought in Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker in 2024.

Left-Arm Seamers: To strike upfront in conditions that offer plenty of lateral movement, the Invincibles have focused on specialist left-arm quicks like Spencer Johnson and Jason Behrendorff. This strategic focus on new-ball specialists has provided a crucial point of difference in their bowling attack.

Forging balance with quality all-rounders

The Invincibles' exceptional team balance is a product of their multi-skilled players who provide depth in both the batting and bowling departments. With Will Jacks and the Curran brothers offering three reliable bowling options in the top seven, the team can afford to field four specialist bowlers.

In a shorter format with 20 fewer balls than a usual T20 innings, the Invincibles have prioritized bowling quality over batting depth. Players like Tom Curran often bat as low as number seven, knowing their all-rounders have the ability to hit big from the outset. The Currans, in particular, have been a force multiplier. Tom's all-round performance was a cornerstone in Invincibles' title winning run in the 2023 edition, and Sam followed suit in 2024 and 2025. In fact, five of the seven instances in The Hundred's history where a player has scored at least 150 runs and taken eight or more wickets in a season have come from players from Invincibles' stable.

Best all-round season in Hundred (150+ runs & 8+ wickets)

Invincible at 'The Oval'

While a strong domestic core is essential, turning your home ground into a fortress is a necessity, and the Invincibles have done just that. At the Kennington Oval, they have a commanding record of 16 wins and only 3 losses in 20 home games (plus one tie). This staggering 80% home win rate is unrivaled in The Hundred and sits right among the top in franchise cricket. Their home dominance has only intensified since the start of 2023, with an almost flawless 10-1 record at The Oval, including a perfect 4-0 sweep this season.

Record at home venue in Hundred

Billings at the helm of affairs

Sam Billings is one of only two players to have captained a franchise in The Hundred since its inception (James Vince being the other). While his individual returns may not always be ideal, his leadership has proved priceless. Billings brings a wealth of championship experience by being part of winning squads in the IPL, PSL, BBL and ILT20. His commitment to the team-first mentality was on display in the London derby at Lord's last year when he selflessly retired out after struggling in the middle, a move that encapsulates the culture he has built.

A bowling attack where quality marries depth

After a disappointing first two seasons, the Invincibles completely overhauled their bowling attack. They brought in left-arm new ball specialists and attacking wrist spinners, while also trusting their domestic talent. The results have been spectacular. For three consecutive years, the team has maintained a bowling average of under 20 - three that sit among the top seven team bowling performances in the competition's history. Since 2023, they have bowled their opponents out a remarkable nine times in just 26 games, a feat no other team has managed more than four times.

Best bowling average in a season in Hundred

Left-arm new ball specialists: Since 2023, no other team has picked up more Powerplay wickets from their left-arm seamers than the Invincibles' 17. But their impact isn't just about wickets; it's about control. With an economy rate of just 1.1 runs per ball in the Powerplay, the Invincibles have been the most frugal team by a distance, while their bowling average of 22.52 is second only to Trent Rockets (18.31). Their overseas recruits, including Spencer Johnson and Jason Behrendorff, have provided a chokehold on opposition scoring in the Powerplay.

Wrist spin to the forefront: The team's pivot to a more attacking spin strategy since 2023 has paid dividends. Trusting Nathan Sowter with more game time and recruiting overseas wrist spinners like Adam Zampa and Rashid Khan, the Invincibles' spin attack has taken a staggering 82 wickets since 2023, making them the most prolific spin unit in the league by a considerable margin.

Teams by spin in Hundred since 2023

A remarkable 61 of those 82 wickets have come from wrist spinners, making them, by a significant margin, the most prolific wrist-spin unit in the league. Sowter led the charge in 2023 with 11 wickets in nine games, backed by Adam Zampa's superb late-season cameo with six wickets in three appearances. The trend continued with Zampa becoming the joint-highest wicket-taker in 2024 (19 wickets), and Rashid Khan replicating the feat in 2025 (12 wickets in six matches). Since 2023, the Invincibles have bowled over 300 more balls of wrist spin than any other team, resulting in more than double the number of wickets.

The batting also comes together

While their bowling has been consistently excellent, the biggest difference this season has been the dominance of their batting unit. The Invincibles' batting line up has reached a new, historic level, setting new benchmarks for the competition. This season, they have averaged an incredible 33.68 runs per wicket and scored at a rate of 172 runs per 100 balls, both the highest a team has ever managed in a single season of The Hundred. Their relentless aggression was on full display when they set the highest-ever total in the competition's history and knocked off two of the three highest successful chases in the season.

Teams batting by season in Hundred

All stats correct till Aug 27, 2025.