Match 28, Birmingham, August 12, 2024, 11:00 PM
118/10(20.0ov)
120/4(18.3ov)
Birmingham Phoenix beat Trent Rockets by 6 wickets
That is all from this game. Birmingham Phoenix jump to third with 10 points for now while Trent Rockets slip down to fifth with just one game to go and are out of the playoff race. The action continues in the Hundred as Northern Superchargers will take on London Spirit on the 13th of this month at 11 pm IST (5.30 pm GMT) Do join us earlier for the build-up. Till then, goodbye and cheers!
Tim Southee wins the Hero of the Match award for his five-fer. Southee says that it was a good performance from the team with the bowlers setting it up and then the batters getting the job done. Adds that consistency with the ball in the last few games, playing with Milne and adapting to conditions has improved their attack. Adds that the next game is at their home ground and they have a good assessment of the conditions and will be looking forward to it.
As for Trent Rockets, this marks the end of their playoff hopes. Luke Wood bowled a magnificent spell right at the start and so did John Turner but once the ball got soft, it was hard for Trent Rockets to stop the run flow. To be honest, they just didn't had enough runs on the board to defend. Earlier, the debutant Tom Alsop stood up when everyone else crumbled over. Trent Rockets just kept on losing wickets regularly and were not able to sustain pressure mainly from Tim Southee. The Kiwi man was at his best song today and ended with a five-fer. He was well supported by his pace band, Adam Milne and Chris Wood. The momentum was with Birmingham Phoenix at the break and they made sure to carry it over with the bat as well.
That's three wins in three for Birmingham Phoenix. Have to say, they have found the winning formula at the perfect time this season and are doing everything they can to push for the top three spot. A fairly low-scoring match but it wasn't as straightforward as we thought it would be initially. Chasing 119, Ben Duckett made a quick fire 30 before departing. Moeen Ali found it hard to score runs and fell in the process. Birmingham Phoenix were reeling at 52 for 4 and needed just one partnership to go their way. It came in the presence of Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell who once settled to the pace of the pitch, made scoring look easy and chased it down without much sweat.
In over# 19
4
0
1
Sam Cook 29/0(3.3)
93
4
FOUR! Finishes off in style! Sam Cook bowls fullish outside off. Jacob Bethell crouches a bit and slogs it straight towards downtown from the middle of his willow to get the four runs. That's it, Birmingham beat Nottingham by 6 wickets!
92
.
Fullish and outside off. Jacob Bethell looks to heave at it but misses and the ball raps him on the pads. Liam Livingstone says yes to taking the single but Jacob rightly sent him back.
91
1
Slower and shortish outside off. Liam Livingstone hangs back and dabs it back to the bowler and the bowler fumbles a bit which allows the batter to take a single.
In over# 18
4
1
1
1
4
Imad Wasim 11/0(1)
90
4
FOUR! CRACKED! Drags his length back just outside off but that width is enough for Liam Livingstone. He makes a bit room and cuts it towards deep cover-point fence for boundary.
89
1
Slower delivery now outside off. Liam Livingstone eases it towards mid off and gains another single.
88
1
On a length outside off. Jacob Bethell taps it towards long off and gets another run.
87
1
Short on leg. Liam Livingstone hangs back and pulls it towards long on for one.
86
4
FOUR! Things are getting easier for Birmingham Phoenix! Slower and on a length outside off. Liam Livingstone cuts it and cuts it hard towards the right of sweeper cover and gets four more runs added into his account.
In over# 17
1
2
4
1
1
John Turner 17/2(4)
85
1
On a length on the stumps. Jacob Bethell nudges it towards backward square leg and gets across.
84
2
Bangs in a short one, on leg. Jacob Bethell hops and tucks it towards fine leg and gets a couple of runs.
83
4
FOUR! TOP SHOT! Short of a length on leg and middle. Jacob Bethell makes a bit of room and bunts it hard to the right of the bowler towards the long off fence for a boundary.
82
1
Short of a length on middle. Liam Livingstone pulls it a bit uppish towards deep mid-wicket and gets a single.