In a thrilling match at Sophia Gardens, Birmingham Phoenix emerged victorious against Welsh Fire, thanks to a stellar performance by Moeen Ali and Ben Duckett. The duo shared an opening stand worth 114 runs after Sean Abbott’s brilliant spell of 4 for 16 kept the hosts in check.
Moeen Ali, in particular, shone with a classy half-century, scoring 60 off just 46 balls, including eight fours and a six. This was Moeen’s highest ever score in The Hundred, showcasing his skill and ability with the bat. Unfortunately, his innings came to an end when he top-edged Matt Henry to David Payne.
Following Moeen’s dismissal, Jamie Smith walked in to bat and displayed sublime touch, scoring 12 runs off his first three deliveries. However, he was soon dismissed by a Haris Rauf inducker, offering Welsh Fire a glimmer of hope. Liam Livingstone, Dan Mousley, and Jacob Bethell fell quickly but Ben Duckett remained composed, guiding his team to victory with an unbeaten 54 off 31 balls.
Sean Abbott’s exceptional bowling performance was crucial in restricting Welsh Fire to 146 for 8. The Australian all-rounder claimed his second four-wicket haul of the season, dismantling Fire’s top-order. Tom Kohler-Cadmore provided some resistance with a quick-fire 54 off 32 balls, injecting energy into the innings with some boundary hitting display.
Despite Matt Henry’s late boundaries, Welsh Fire’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage were dashed as Birmingham Phoenix emerged victorious. Abbott, hailed as the Meerkat Match Hero, reflected on his performance, stating, “It was a little bit tricky to sum up the conditions at first, but it was about going back to basics and trying to hit the top of the stumps with change-ups and then going from there.”
The win for Birmingham Phoenix not only ended Welsh Fire’s chances of making it to The Hundred Eliminator but also propelled them to third place in the table. With a strong all-round performance, Phoenix showcased their capabilities in The Hundred, making them a formidable team in the competition.
