In a thrilling match that saw West Indies star Nicholas Pooran play a sensational knock of 66 not out off just 33 balls, the Northern Superchargers secured a crucial victory over the Manchester Originals in The Hundred. Pooran’s fireworks with the bat propelled his team to a seven-wicket win, chasing down a target of 153 with ease.
The match took an unexpected turn when England’s Test captain Ben Stokes retired hurt due to a suspected hamstring injury. Stokes’ availability for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka is now in question as he will undergo scans to assess the extent of the damage.
Pooran’s heroics came at a critical juncture for the Superchargers, who found themselves in a precarious position at 29 for 2 when he walked out to bat. With the required run rate climbing, Pooran took the attack to the Originals bowlers, smashing eight sixes in his innings to turn the game in his team’s favor.
Despite an impressive start from the Originals, led by Phil Salt’s brisk 61, the Superchargers fought back thanks to their spinners and some explosive batting from Pooran, Harry Brook, and Adam Hose. The trio combined forces to keep their team’s hopes alive and secure a vital win in the competition.
The match was a showcase of top-class batting, aided by a batting-friendly pitch at Emirates Old Trafford. Both teams displayed their firepower, with the Originals setting a challenging total before Pooran’s masterclass with the bat stole the show.
Reflecting on his match-winning innings, Pooran said, “It’s definitely one of my better innings, knowing the situation of the game. Walking into bat with 100+ runs to get, and this format it creeps up on you very fast but I was really happy that I could contribute and be there to the end.”
The Superchargers will now look to build on this victory as they face the London Spirit in a crucial match at Headingley. With their sights set on the knockout stages, the team will be hoping to carry the momentum from Pooran’s stellar performance into their next game.
