A Wild Start at Lord’s
No one expected The Hundred 2025 to begin with a pit ch invasion — especially not by a fox.
That’s exactly what happened during the opening men’s match between the London Spirit and the Oval Invincibles at Lord’s. A fox casually trotted onto the field mid-game, bringing play to a sudden halt and leaving both players and fans in disbelief.
“It was like, wait… is that really a fox?” laughed Rashid Khan after the match. “You don’t see that every day at Lord’s.”
The animal ran a few laps across the field while the crowd cheered and cameras zoomed in. It was bizarre, hilarious, and instantly viral.
After the Fox Came the Collapse
David Warner’s Disappointing Start
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David Warner: 9 off 10 balls
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Kane Williamson: gone early
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Middle order: no one got going
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Total: 80 runs in 94 balls
London Spirit’s batting felt tight and nervy, and the Oval Invincibles’ bowling unit took full control.
Rashid Khan & Sam Curran Dominate
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Rashid Khan: 3/11
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Sam Curran: 3/18
Rashid Khan became the first bowler in history to reach 650 T20 wickets during the match, as reported by trusted outlets including MSN.com (via India Today) and Times of India.
Oval Invincibles Seal Easy Win
The chase was short and clinical. Invincibles wrapped it up in just 69 balls, winning comfortably by six wickets. An early statement win in The Hundred 2025.
Steve Smith’s Return — Olympic Hopes Alive
The match may have been one-sided, but Steve Smith’s return caught the eye.
It’s been six years since Steve Smith last played in The Hundred — and he didn’t return just to knock a few balls around.
According to The Australian, Steve Smith is believed to be targeting longer-term T20 opportunities — possibly with an eye on an Olympic call-up if cricket is confirmed for LA 2028.
He didn’t score much, but Smith’s return wasn’t about runs — it was about vision. A clear sign: he’s preparing for something bigger.
Women’s Match Lit Up the Night
Grace Harris Brings the Fireworks
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Grace Harris: 89* off 42 balls, 6 sixes
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Meg Lanning replied with 85, but fell short
Result? London Spirit Women won, giving fans something to celebrate.
While the men’s side collapsed, the women’s team put on a show — a reminder of how much talent the tournament has on both sides.
Twitter Loved the Fox More Than the Cricket
The fox’s surprise cameo became The Hundred’s first viral moment of the season.
Clips, memes, and jokes exploded online:
“The fox had more energy than London Spirit’s top order.”
“Can we sign the fox as Spirit’s new fielding coach?”
It was light-hearted relief after a tough game for the home side.
So, What’s Next?
A fox on the pitch. A David Warner flop. A Steve Smith comeback. A Grace Harris explosion. That’s one way to start a tournament.
If the opening night of The Hundred 2025 is any sign, fans are in for chaos, surprises, and moments they’ll talk about all season long.
Quick Recap
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Fox interrupted play mid-match at Lord’s
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London Spirit collapsed for 80 runs
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Oval Invincibles chased it in 69 balls
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Steve Smith returned with Olympic ambition
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Grace Harris stole the show in the women’s match
For more updates, visit sportupia.com
