In this article, we will discuss Birmingham Phoenix’s crucial win over Trent Rockets in The Hundred, a victory that propelled them into the knockout positions while simultaneously ending the Rockets’ hopes in this year’s competition. The match, held at Edgbaston, saw Phoenix restrict the Rockets to a modest 118, thanks to a stunning five-wicket haul from Tim Southee. Birmingham then chased down the target with poise, led by the steady contributions of Jacob Bethell and Liam Livingstone. This victory leaves Phoenix in a strong position heading into the final stages of the tournament, while the Rockets’ campaign comes to a close.
Birmingham Phoenix secured a crucial victory at Edgbaston, posting 120 for 4, to knock Trent Rockets out of this year’s Hundred and push themselves into the knockout positions. Their victory came after the Rockets were held to just 118, with Tim Southee starring with a remarkable five-wicket haul. Jacob Bethell and Liam Livingstone guided the Phoenix to the win, overtaking Northern Superchargers for third place with a controlled chase.
Reflecting on the performance, Southee expressed satisfaction, highlighting the team’s well-rounded effort. He credited the bowlers for adapting swiftly to the conditions and praised the composed approach of Bethell and Livingstone in finishing the match.
Southee also noted the growing chemistry within the team, mentioning his partnership with Adam Milne and the experience gained from playing multiple games together. This familiarity, he said, helped them quickly assess and exploit the conditions.
Moeen Ali’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss proved to be spot on, as Birmingham’s pace attack delivered a masterclass in swing and seam bowling during the early overs. The Rockets’ formidable top order, including Tom Banton, Alex Hales, Joe Root, and Rovman Powell, was dismantled within the first 30 deliveries, leaving them reeling at 22 for 4.
Tom Alsop, playing his first game in The Hundred, teamed up with Imad Wasim to stabilize the innings with a fifty partnership. However, Wasim’s run-a-ball 29 was cut short as he was retired out, making way for Chris Green, who replaced the injured Rashid Khan in the lineup. Green’s return was brief, as Adam Milne claimed his wicket after just five balls, adding to the Rockets’ woes.
Alsop reached his half-century but fell to the exceptional Southee, who wrapped up his spell with figures of 5 for 12. Trent Rockets could only set a target of 119 for Phoenix, which Ben Duckett helped start in style, scoring 30 off 16 balls before the Rockets fought back.
Luke Wood pulled off a double whammy, sending Duckett and Jamie Smith packing faster. Despite this setback, Moeen Ali and Livingstone steadied the innings. However, John Turner impressed with a double strike, dismissing both Moeen and Dan Mousley, reigniting the Rockets’ hopes.
The tension built as Phoenix’s scoring rate slowed, but Luke Wood released the pressure with a costly no-ball that Bethell capitalized on, smashing the free-hit for a six. This shot gave Birmingham some much-needed breathing space, and Bethell, along with Livingstone, navigated the rest of the chase with poise. Their unbeaten partnership took Phoenix across the finish line with seven balls remaining.
As the tournament heads into its final stages, three teams – Phoenix, Southern Brave, and Northern Superchargers – are still in contention to join Oval Invincibles in the knockout rounds. With this loss, Trent Rockets, along with London Spirit, Manchester Originals, and Welsh Fire, see their campaigns come to an end.
Trent Rockets (Men) – 118 (100 Balls)
Birmingham Phoenix (Men) – 120/4 (93/100 balls)
Result – Phoenix won by 6 wickets (with 7 balls remaining)
Player of the match – Tim Southee
Tim Southee
Trent Rockets | Tom Banton, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Tom Alsop, Rovman Powell, Imad Wasim, Chris Green, Lewis Gregory, Luke Wood, Sam Cook, John Turner |
Birmingham Phoenix | Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Dan Mousley, Jacob Bethell, Benny Howell, Sean Abbott, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Chris Wood |
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