Birmingham Phoenix thumped Trent Rockets by six wickets in The Hundred contest, extending their winning streak to three matches. Batting first, the Rockets were bundled out for 118 runs in 100 balls, courtesy of Tim Southee’s (5/12) stupendous bowling spell. In response, Phoenix crossed the line with seven balls to spare, thanks to Ben Duckett’s (30 off 16) rollicking start.
Match Summary
- Toss: Moeen Ali (BP) won the toss and opted to bowl.
- Trent Rockets Innings: 118/10 in 100 balls
- Tom Alsop: 51 (37)
- Imad Wasim: 29 (29)
- Key Bowler: Tim Southee (5/12) in 20 balls
- Birmingham Phoenix Innings: 120/4 in 93 balls
- Jacob Bethell: 38* (29)
- Ben Duckett: 30 (16)
- Key Bowler: John Turner (2/17) in 20 balls
Key Moments
Tim Southee’s Havoc
The Kiwi bowler proved too hot to handle for the Rockets’ batters, delivering a match-winning spell. Southee started the proceedings with the new ball and exploited the conditions brilliantly. He trapped Tom Banton on the eighth ball of the match, drawing first blood for the Phoenix. The pacer removed three batters in the final set of the innings, completing his five-wicket haul while conceding just 12 runs in the spell. His impressive bowling spell helped to restrict the Rockets to a modest total.
Tom Alsop’s Gritty Knock
An innings to remember has come to an end 😔
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 12, 2024
Tom Alsop reaches 5⃣0⃣ runs with a SIX and is dismissed by the very next ball.#TheHundred | #RoadToTheEliminator pic.twitter.com/ln5JsEN9n4
The English player came out to bat at number four with his side in a spot of bother. However, the left-hander displayed immense maturity, steadying the sinking ship by adding 77 runs for the fifth wicket alongside Imad Wasim (29 off 29). The 28-year-old contributed a valuable 51 runs off 37 balls, including five fours and two sixes. His gritty knock helped the Rockets recover from a precarious position and post a respectable total on the board.
Ben Duckett’s Rollicking Start
In pursuit of 118 runs, Duckett provided a flying start to the Phoenix side. The left-hander took on the Rockets’ bowlers from the outset and hammered 30 runs off just 16 balls. His rollicking start laid a solid foundation for the later batters.
Livingstone & Bethell Guide Phoenix to Victory
Despite getting a solid start from Duckett, Phoenix lost four wickets in quick succession and were tottering at 52/4 in 39 balls. Livingstone and Bethell paired up in the middle and focused on the strike rotation to keep the scoreboard moving. The pair added an unbeaten 68 runs for the fifth wicket and helped their side cross the line without any further hiccups. Livingstone ended with 30 runs to his name, while Bethell contributed 38 runs.
Implications and Future Prospects
It was a disappointing batting display from the Rockets, who lost wickets at regular intervals. If it hadn’t been for Tom Alsop, they would have been skittled to a meager score. With this loss, the Men in Yellow are out of the competition, even though they still have one game left in the ongoing The Hundred event.
On the other hand, Phoenix have won three matches in a row and kept their hopes alive in the tournament. Tim Southee starred with the ball, dismantling the Rockets’ batting single-handedly. Moeen Ali (13 off 16), Jamie Smith (0 off 1), and Dan Mousley (0 off 1) faltered in this contest and will need to step up in the last league-stage game of The Hundred 2024.
Conclusion
Birmingham Phoenix have won three games in a row and are currently third on the points table with ten points from seven matches. They will aim to win their final league-stage game to solidify their position in the top three.
Conversely, Trent Rockets have lost two matches in a row and are out of The Hundred 2024 event. They will play for pride in their final league-stage game and should aim to finish on a high note.
Also Read
- India’s World Cup Triumph Celebrations: As it Happened
- The Hundred: Bethell and Howell Secure First Win For Phoenix
- The Hundred: Thompson’s Delivers Thrilling Win for Rockets
- Rockets Start Strong with Victory Over Superchargers in The Hundred
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