London Spirit suffered a six-wicket defeat to Oval Invincibles [Keeran Marquis/SPP]

A FOX wandering onto the field of play did a better job at stopping Oval Invincibles than London Spirit did on Tuesday as The Hundred returned with a very one-sided capital derby.

The raucous crowd that flocked to Lord’s erupted when the majestic mammal briefly brought a halt to the action. It was the only respite that Spirit got as they were crushed by six wickets in St John’s Wood.

A pitch invader stops play in the capital derby at Lord’s

Spinner Rashid Khan made a dream debut as he claimed three wickets for just 11 runs, while England all-rounder Sam Curran took 3-18 as Spirit were skittled out for 80 – the second-lowest score in men’s Hundred history.

Invincibles knocked off the runs with 31 balls to spare as they started their quest for a third successive title in style. Will Jacks hit 24 runs off 24 balls, while Tawanda Muyeye scored 18 off 20 in a ruthless opening stand. Curran also batted well for 14 as the visitors stormed to 81-4 off 69 balls.

There would be no double delight for the Oval Invincibles, however, as their women’s team started their Hundred campaign in a 17-run defeat against London Spirit.