Match Center

Right then, this is it from the first game of the weekend's first doubleheader where Southern Brave outclassed Birmingham Phoenix and registered their third win of the season. But, the action in The Hundred Men's Competiton continues as up next, is another cracker of a contest shaping up with Lewis Gregory's Trent Rockets going up against Tom Abell's Welsh Fire at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. That game will begin at 10.30 pm IST (1700 GMT), which is just half an hour or so from now. Take care and cheers!

The skipper of Southern Brave, James Vince is adjudged as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his sensational knock of 90 off 47 runs. He is up for a chat and says the wicket got better as the day progressed but he feels happy to get the win. Mentions that at the end, bowlers of Phoenix bowled really well and the end and they knew that it well get difficult for the opponent batters as well in the chase at the later stage of the game. Adds that players are playing batter and the personals are performing at the right time and he is looking to back this performance up in Cardiff in the next game.

... THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...

Earlier in the game, Brave were inserted into bat. As they acclimatized to an alien surface, Vince emerged as the aggressor, transforming caution into calculated risk as the surface appeared to be a belter for the batters. The Brave's innings unfolded like a well-orchestrated symphony. A robust opening partnership of 81 set the stage, only to be followed by a compelling 68-run duet between Vince and Pollard for the third wicket. This formidable combination catapulted Southern Brave into a commanding position. Vince, the maestro of the day, crafted an unbeaten 90, while Pollard and Alex Davies chimed in with valuable 30s. Amidst the onslaught, the two Kiwi speedsters Tim Southee and Adam Milne kept things quiet from their end but the others took the hit.

The Brave knew that quick wickets were the key to regaining control. As if on cue, Archer and Jordan stepped up, delivering two swift blows that shifted the momentum. Jordan, in particular, tore through the middle order, his pace proving too hot to handle. Akeal Hosein and Mills then took center stage, scything through the lower middle order and the tailenders with precision, ultimately sharing five wickets together, with the former bagging a 3-fer and the latter snagging a crucial 2-fer.

The Southern Brave, having posted a formidable total, looked to their bowling attack - their strongest suit - to seal the deal. However, the opening salvo didn't go as planned. The Phoenix batsmen, particularly Duckett, took the attack to the cleaners, with the Brave managing just a single scalp by the halfway mark. Despite this breakthrough, runs continued to flow freely, keeping the game in the balance.

In the relentless pace of this format, even a brief lull can cause the required run rate to skyrocket. The game's momentum, as fickle as it is fierce, can shift in the blink of an eye. Once again, the Phoenix's middle order found itself exposed, vulnerable to the mounting pressure. What followed was a dramatic collapse, as the Phoenix plummeted from a commanding 91/1 to a precarious 135/9. Duckett, the lone warrior, found himself stranded at the non-striker's end, helplessly watching the carnage unfold for nearly three sets, eventually falling on 92.

The Birmingham Phoenix, faced with a mountain to climb after their lackluster bowling performance, needed a blazing start with the bat. Ben Duckett answered the call, bursting onto the scene with explosive intent. He ruthlessly punished every loose delivery, sending them soaring beyond the boundary ropes. As the game approached its midpoint, Duckett had single-handedly amassed the lion's share of runs. However, his heroics stood in stark contrast to the silence from the other end, with three batters, including the usually reliable Livingstone and Moeen, succumbing for single-digit scores.

SOUTHERN BRAVE WIN BY 32 RUNS! A convincing one for them after being taken aback initially in their target defence. Back-to-back wins for the men in green and this one catapults them to the top of the table. It was Ben Duckett vs Southern Brave as out of 137, Duckett scored 92 and the rest couldn't even cross the double digits. And yet again, it was the bowling unit of the Brave that bailed them out of a difficult scenario. Birmingham Phoenix on the other hand would surely be mighty gutted with the way things panned out for them in the second half of the chase. The game was looking under control but they just fell like a house of cards and couldn't cope with the pressure of chasing 169 despite a solid foundation.

Full toss on off, Adam Milne doesn't get a clean connection on this and lofts this towards long off for a single to end the game. Southern Brave climbs to the top of the table with this win. Birmingham Phoenix is defeated by 32 runs.

Pitched up on off, Tim Southee hammers this powerfully to the right of James Vince t mid off but with a boundary written all over this but a brilliant effort from Vince saves three runs for his side.

Tim Southee is the last man in for Phoenix.

OUT! The excitement ends with the wicket of Ben Duckett as he falls short of his century by 8 runs. Full toss outside off, Ben Duckett moves to his off and looks to ramp this over Tymal Mills at fine leg region but he ends up finding him instead. Tymal Mills takes the catch with ease.

OUT! The excitement ends with the wicket of Ben Duckett as he falls short of his century by 8 runs. Full toss outside off, Ben Duckett moves to his off and looks to ramp this over Tymal Mills at fine leg region but he ends up finding him instead. Tymal Mills takes the catch with ease.

Back of a length around middle and leg, Ben Duckett goes for the pull but gets it rolling through mid-wicket for a couple. Ben Duckett is 8 short of his century.

FOUR! Pitched up around off, Ben Duckett moves to his leg and lofts this beyond the reach of a diving extra cover fielder for a boundary. Ben Duckett moves into his 90s.

Good length angling across the tight hander, Adam Milne chops this off the inside towards the keeper for one. The game is out of reach of the Phoenix side but can Ben Duckett get to triple figures? Let's see.