Match 14, Birmingham, August 10, 2023, 11:00 PM
Birmingham Phoenix
112/7(20.0ov)
Welsh Fire
116/4(17.0ov)
Welsh Fire beat Birmingham Phoenix by 6 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Stephen Eskinazi
Commentry
Right then, that is it is from this one-sided affair where Welsh Fire bags the two points while Birmingham Phoenix are still in search of their first win. However, the action continues on 11th August, Friday where in the Women's Hundred 2023, Northern Superchargers Women take on Oval Invincibles Women at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), while the same two teams go up against each other in the Men's Hundred 2023 at 11 pm IST (5.30 pm GMT), but as you know you can join us early for all the build-up to both games. Until then, cheers and goodbye!
Stephen Eskinazi is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH! He says that they played some really good cricket with a new-look side and adds that the lads have got into the groove pretty quickly. Mentions that they knew that the wicket is going to be dry and facing the new ball was the best time to bat. Shares that it suits his style and helped the team get over the line. Adds that he wants to do well after two poor seasons for the side. Closes by crediting Welsh Fire coach Mike Hussey for his man-managing skills and his positive impact on the side.
Earlier in the game, after electing to bat first, Birmingham Phoenix posted an under-par total on the board. There were some flashes of individual brilliance but didn't have any standout performers. Liam Livingstone top scored with 28 while Ben Duckett got 25 and no one else went past 20 which says it all. Roelof van der Merwe, Haris Rauf, and David Payne were excellent and picked up two wickets each while Shaheen Afridi chipped in with one. Their openers were brilliant to set up the platform for them, and even after some troubles in the middle, they get the win without much fuss.
Birmingham Phoenix can take some positives from this game, but they never really had enough runs on the board. They were blown away in the Powerplay by the opening duo of the visitors which broke the back of the run chase, but managed to make a comeback in the game after that picking up three wickets in not. Benny Howell led that by getting rid of both set batters and then skipper Moeen Ali got one too. Shadab Khan also picked up one but they have suffered yet another defeat.
Welsh Fire started off really well with both openers going full attacking and not wasting any time. They registered their best-ever Powerplay score (61) in this competition and added 67 runs for their first wicket. However, just after that, they suffered a mini-collapse. Stephen Eskinazi was the first one to go after making 43 off just 18 balls. His opening partner Joe Clarke followed him soon after and Luke Wells also couldn't do much. However, David Willey used his experience well along with Tom Abell to keep their calm and took their side home with many balls to spare which helps their NRR as well.
A comfortable victory for Welsh Fire! They got in a somewhat difficult situation after the Powerplay, but David Willey and Tom Abell absorbed all the pressure and got them over the line. On the flip side, it was yet another disappointing performance from Birmingham Phoenix and they still remain winless this season.
In over# 17
4
0
1
1
1
Liam Livingstone 7/0(1)
85
4
FOUR! Tom Abell hits the winning runs and a fitting way to end the game by Welsh Fire skipper. Full and at the stumps. Abell goes inside out over extra cover for a glorious boundary. Welsh Fire get their second win of the tournament and they win a huge margin of 6 wickets with 15 balls to spare.
84
.
Very full on the middle and leg. Abell jams it to short cover.
83
1
Full and on the stumps. Willey gets the leading edge off the bat that rolls to short backward point for a single.
82
1
Leg break on a shortish length and outside off. Abell steers it through cover point for one.
81
1
Flatter on the middle and leg. Willey hangs back and punches it to long off for one.
In over# 16
1
0
4
2
2
Benny Howell 16/2(4)
80
1
LEG BYE! On a goood length, around the leg stump line. Willy hangs back and looks to work it away, but he misses and wears it on the pad. The ball ricochets off the pad into the off side for a leg bye.
79
.
Length, angling into leg peg. Willey plays across the line and gets a thud on the pad.
78
4
FOUR! BANG! Full and at the stumps. Willey gets low and thumps it over the bowler and down the ground for a cracking boundary. Welsh Fire are inching closer now.
77
2
Slower and fuller on the middle and leg. Willey makes room and pushes it past covers, scampers for two more.
76
2
Shorter one on the middle and leg. Willey clubs it to the deep mid-wicket for a couple.
In over# 15
1
1lb
1
4
0
Shadab Khan 16/1(3)