BPH VS SOB MATCH 8

Right then, that is all from this game. Birmingham Phoenix opened their account in the points table and would be very pleased in with their effort. The defending champions need to get their head back on track before it becomes too late. There is more action coming your way though as The Hundred Women's competition kicks-off on 11th August 2022 with Oval Invincibles Women's and Northern Superchargers Women's going head-to-head in the first encounter. It will begin at 11 pm IST (5.30 pm GMT). But before that it will be the Men's team of the same franchise going up against each other. The first ball will be at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). But as you all know you can join us early for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Moeen Ali, the captain of Birmingham Phoenix, says the crowd certainly helps and they have had a great record at home last season. Adds that they have got some good young players who performed well. Mentions it is awesome to see the youngsters doing really well. Says because of such performances the pressure does not come on the experienced players in abundance. Mentions it is important to stay calm and not panic. Adds the fans are amazing here, it was an incredible atmosphere throughout the Commonwealth Games and it is always fun to play at this venue.

Will Smeed win the MAN OF THE MATCH award for his exceptional ton. He says that it is obviously a great feeling coming off to an applause but to win was the main thing  He says that it is a learning lesson to not hit every ball out of the park and grind it out when needed. He praises Brookes for his incredible performance. He ends by saying that they hope to continue this momentum in the upcoming matches.

Stay tuned for the presentation...

Earlier in the innings, Will Smeed led Birmingham Phoenix to an above-par total. He became the first ever batsman to score a ton in the history of this competiton. Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone also chipped in with their cameos. But all the credit goes to Will Smeed for his guns blazing knock. Later, Henry Brookes capitalized on the pressure and returned with a fi-fer. There were hardly any batters for Southern Brave who got good starts. In the end, it were the youngsters that led Birmingham Phoenix over the finish line.

A complete team performance by Birmingham Phoenix with the ball. Their fielders were also on the money and backed their bowlers really well. Kane Richardson started well with the new ball but also bowled brilliantly in the death overs. Although, it was Henry Brookes who stole the show with the ball. He recorded his first fi-fer in The Hundred and single handedly took the game away from Southern Brave.

The way Southern Brave started their innings it looked like there was a lot of fight to see in the chase but once James Vince fell it kind of opened the floodgates. Southern Brave scored 18 runs in the first set of 5, but were unable to maintain the run flow once James Vince fell on the sixth delivery. There were hardly any stands in their innings. They kept losing wickets in cluster and in the end, suffered their first defeat of the season.

A comprehensive victory for Birmingham Phoenix. They have avenged their defeat against the defending champions and recorded their first win of the season. It was a complete team performance and they will be surely delighted. Southern Brave could not maintan solid stands in the middle and that costed them the game.

OUT! TIMBER! Kane Richardson hits the bullseye once again and it is all over for the Brave. This is a perfect yorker and on middle, Tymal Mills is too late to bring his bat down and the ball shatters the stumps. Birmingham Phoenix win by 53 runs.

Length delivery and on off, Tymal Mills throws his bat at it but cannot connect.

Tymal Mills is the last man in.

OUT! TIMBER! Cleans him up! Kane Richardson says 'You miss, I hit'. Kane Richardson serves a yorker, right in the blockhole. Chris Jordan is caught inside his crease. He fails to dig it out. The ball goes through to disturb the stumps.

FOUR! Nicely played! Back of a length, outside off. Chris Jordan stands tall and strokes it through covers for a boundary.

Good length, around off. Jake Lintott makes room and punches it to sweeper cover. They take one.

On a length and around off, Jake Lintott stays back and punches it through covers for a single. 59 runs needed in 20 balls now.

Length delivery and around off, Chris Jordan forces it towards long off for one.

Full and on middle, Jake Lintott drives it towards long on for a single.