Every day of The Hundred 2024 brings electrifying cricket, captivating fans worldwide, and the 83rd delivery of Match 20 between the Trent Rockets and the London Spirit on Wednesday was another prime example. Joe Root and Alex Hales were at the crease, with Nathan Ellis charging in to bowl.
Ellis dug out one of his trademark back-of-the-hand slower balls as Root was already across to the leg stump. Hales, who was set with 68 off 42, desperately gestured for a single and scampered to the striker’s end. This meant wicketkeeper-batter Michael Pepper had to pull off an outstanding play that proved remarkable for multiple reasons.
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Michael Pepper not only fielded cleanly directly in front of him but he also managed an off-balance throw to the stumps, having gone to his knees. But more impressively, he did this still wearing his gloves. It was quick and it was accurate. Hales was give run out, well short of his ground, as the big screen at Trent Bridge showed.
A direct hit run-out! 🎯
This is pinpoint precision from Michael Pepper to remove the dangerous Alex Hales! 😮#TheHundred | #RoadToTheEliminator pic.twitter.com/fLehLaMxP8
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 7, 2024
While he was brilliant in the field, his run-chase efforts were not quite as productive. He only made two before being swept away by a lofted shot to backward point. This added to the 26-year-old’s struggles with the bat in this edition of The Hundred.
In the end, the London Spirit fell 22 runs short, largely due to the brilliance of Rashid Khan. A four-wicket haul made a dent in the Spirit lineup to register their fourth loss in five matches.
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The Hundred 2024 is going to bring many such moments, and despite setbacks in the London Spirit camp, things are warming up in the competition, keeping fans at the edge of their seats with each delivery.
