OVAL INVINCIBLES captain Lauren Winfield-Hill scored an unbeaten half-century today to lead her side to a crucial eight-wicket derby win over London Spirit at the Oval.

Set a target of 121, Winfield-Hill made an 61 from 40 balls — her first half-century this season — and combined effectively with Marizanne Kapp to make light work of a chase that could have been far more taxing.

That Invincibles had anything to chase was down to the heroics of India all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who guided the visitors to a total of 120 for eight from the perilous position of 47 for seven.

Sharma (46 not out) and Eva Gray (28) rebuilt with a record eighth-wicket partnership worth 56 after Invincibles’ bowlers took a wicket apiece to get ahead of the game early on — Kapp winning the battle of overseas superstars with a third-ball dismissal of Meg Lanning.

The game was in the balance at the interval but Winfield-Hill batted intelligently throughout, nullifying the threat of Spirit’s trio of spinners by manipulating the field and accessing behind square with ease.

Chances were few and far between, though Spirit could have sent Winfield-Hill on her way had they opted to review a tight lbw call that went against the bowler Dani Gibson.

Kapp came in after Alice Capsey — on her 20th birthday — was bowled for 13 looking to ramp Gibson, and added some impetus to the foundations laid by Winfield-Hill.

The South Africa all-rounder finished unbeaten on 30, sharing in an unbroken 51-run stand with Winfield-Hill as the hosts secured victory with nine balls to spare.

Invincibles’ win confirmed Manchester Originals’ tournament is over, but more importantly for the home side it leaves them in control of their own destiny with one game to go ahead of the eliminator.

For Spirit, they now need to win their last game and hope other results go their way to secure a place in the top three.