In a thrilling display of Cricket at Edgbaston, the Southern Brave emerged victorious over the Birmingham Phoenix, as a dramatic collapse saw the Phoenix lose 6 wickets for just 12 runs in 25 balls. Despite Ben Duckett’s heroic effort of scoring 92 runs, it was not enough to secure a win for his team.
The Southern Brave set a challenging target of 169 runs for the Phoenix, with James Vince leading the charge with an unbeaten 90 runs. Alongside Kieron Pollard, Vince displayed an impressive batting performance, scoring at a brisk pace and punishing the Phoenix bowlers. The Brave’s total of 169 for 2, the second-highest score of the season, proved to be formidable.
After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, Phoenix captain Moeen Ali watched as Vince and Alex Davies got the Brave off to a strong start. The pair built a solid partnership, powering their team to 81 runs off 45 balls. Despite losing Davies and du Plooy in quick succession, Vince and Pollard continued to dominate the bowling attack.
In response, Duckett showed great intent with a quick-fire half-century, taking the Phoenix to 92 for 1 from 49 balls. However, the tide turned when Chris Jordan’s tight bowling spell rattled the Phoenix batting lineup. A flurry of wickets fell rapidly, as the Brave’s formidable bowling attack, featuring Jordan, Overton, Archer, Hosein, and Mills, proved too much for the Phoenix to handle.
Despite Duckett’s impressive display, the rest of the Phoenix team struggled to make an impact with the bat, managing just four boundaries in comparison to Duckett’s eight fours and five sixes. The Brave’s exceptional bowling performance effectively sealed the match in their favor.
Reflecting on the match, James Vince praised his team’s performance, highlighting the fantastic teamwork and clutch performances from key players. “It’s a fantastic group of players and people are performing at the right times,” Vince said. The Southern Brave’s victory propelled them to the top of the table, cementing their status as a force to be reckoned with in the tournament.
