Men’s Hundred | Ben Duckett's firepower and Adam Milne's precision propel Phoenix to playoffs

08/16/2024

Birmingham Phoenix beat Manchester Originals by nine wickets and qualified for the eliminator game. After a rain delay, the match was cut short to 30 balls and the Originals could manage just 41/5, courtesy of Phoenix’s pace attack whereas the Phoenix openers sealed their victory in 22 deliveries.

‌After a nearly two-hour delay due to heavy rain at Edgbaston, the crucial match between Birmingham Phoenix and Manchester Originals resumed with a shortened 30-ball contest. Phoenix captain Moeen Ali won the toss and chose to field, a decision that paid off immediately. Adam Milne broke Manchester's opening partnership in the first set dismissing Matthew Hurst. The struggle continued for the Originals as Phil Salt fell on the 15th ball, leaving them at 22/2 after three sets. Lacking any solid partnerships in the middle order, Manchester’s innings faltered as Phoenix's pacers consistently took quick wickets. The visitors eventually finished their 30-ball innings at 41/5.

In reply, the Phoenix made a flying start with openers Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith guiding them to 16/0 in just 10 deliveries. Duckett then accelerated, hitting four boundaries and a six, reducing the target to just eight runs from 15 balls. Although Jamie Smith fell on the 18th delivery, it made little difference as Duckett led the Phoenix to a comfortable nine-wicket victory. This win secured Birmingham Phoenix a spot in the playoffs where they will now face Southern Brave in the eliminator game.

Qualified

Birmingham Phoenix safely into the Eliminator💛🧡 hardly worth the crowd hanging around for a very one sided 30 ball game🤣🤣Hardly been an exciting Tournament.....
— BlueNoseBear⚽️🏏🐻💙 (@YouBearsssssss)

Come on

Cricket in the rain!

Come on Birmingham Phoenix!
— Stephen Maddock (@stephenm68)

Enough

Ben duckett will chase this target alone😂
— Ict fan (@namaBengluru)

Great one

There is no point of signing allen for us now...

adam milne can be considered but we have a great south african bowling core
— Daneees (@CaseLameness)

Underrated

Adam Milne is soo underrated

If he hadnt got injured frequently, he would have become the frontline pp pacer for nz
— Harshaaaa (@Harshrey_)

Struggled

Wow! What a match last night at Edgbaston! Trent Rockets really struggled against Tim Southee, he was absolutely on fire with those wickets!
— Hailey Martin (@onxyp21346636)

Incredible

Amazing game last night! Southee was incredible, and Bethell & Livingstone sealed the win for Phoenix. What a comeback!
— Rebekah Brown (@kkgjf77752335)

Gone

Third catch of the innings for Livingstone, this time to get Holden for 15 (10), off Southee, Originals 35-4 off 23, Sikandar Raza coming in.
— Thomas Sutcliffe (@aspitweets)

Two hitters