Luke Wood conceded one run from his final set as Southern Brave sealed a 12-run victory over Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred men's competition at the Utilita Bowl. The win was Brave's first of the season and moved them off the bottom of the table, while Phoenix were left with 116-9 in pursuit of 129.
Wickets from three consecutive deliveries in the final set ended Phoenix's chase, with Wood having Ben Dwarshuis and Scott Currie caught off the first two balls. Saqib Mahmood was then run out by Adil Rashid's direct hit, and Brave gave away just one single from the next two balls as Phoenix fell short.
How did Southern Brave set up their total?
Southern Brave were put into bat and lost Jamie Smith, caught by Mitch Owen off Dwarshuis, after seven balls. They never put on a partnership greater than 33, although Ben McKinney made 18, Tom Abell 22, Marcus Stoinis 34 and David Miller 24 all made useful contributions before being dismissed.
Brave then lost four middle-order wickets for 12 runs as the innings moved towards its conclusion, but a five-ball 10 from Wood, batting at number 10, helped them reach 128-8. Rehan Ahmed was the pick of the Phoenix bowlers with 3-25.
Who were the key bowlers in the chase?
Luke Wood finished with figures of 3-24 after removing Will Smeed, who top-scored for Phoenix with 35 before becoming his first victim. Marcus Stoinis took 2-16, dismissing Joe Clarke and Laurie Evans, while Rashid, with 1-18, and Jofra Archer, with 1-21, kept the scoring in check.
What did the result mean for the table?
The victory allowed Brave to leapfrog Phoenix and rise off the bottom of the standings, moving into seventh on net run-rate. It also ended their wait for a first win in this season's Hundred.
The Hundred men's competition, Utilita Bowl
Southern Brave 128-8 (100 balls): Stoinis 34 (26); Rehan 3-25
Birmingham Phoenix 116-9 (100 balls): Smeed 35 (28); Wood 3-24
Unbeaten leaders Brave beat bottom side Phoenix
Who am I? Guess The Hundred cricket star No 10
What is happening on Friday?
Manchester Super Giants face Trent Rockets in Manchester on Friday at 15:00 BST.
In the women's competition, the second-placed home side will be looking to close the gap on Brave, while third-placed Rockets can overtake their opponents with a win.
The men's competition's top two teams then meet at 18.30 BST, with Super Giants currently ahead of Rockets on net run-rate.
You can follow ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, and the website and app.
Key Facts
- Southern Brave beat Birmingham Phoenix by 12 runs at the Utilita Bowl.
- Brave finished on 128-8 after being put into bat.
- Luke Wood took 3-24 and scored 10 off five balls.
- Will Smeed top-scored for Phoenix with 35.
- Brave moved off the bottom of the table into seventh on net run-rate.
