Southern Brave beat Birmingham Phoenix by 12 runs as Marcus Stoinis and Luke Wood successfully defended a modest total of 128.
Southern Brave beat Birmingham Phoenix by 12 runs after Marcus Stoinis in Southampton. Southern Brave managed 128 for eight from their 100 balls after Birmingham chose to bowl first. Their bowlers then restricted Phoenix to 116 for nine.
The total appeared vulnerable, particularly after Brave struggled to develop a substantial partnership. However, Stoinis and Luke Wood led a disciplined defence.
Stoinis top-scored with 34 from 26 deliveries. His innings included two fours and two sixes as wickets fell around him. David Miller contributed 24 from 21 balls, while Tom Abell made 22.
Luke Wood added an unbeaten 10 from five deliveries during the closing stages. Those late runs helped Brave reach 128, giving their bowlers a competitive total on a surface where fluent scoring proved difficult.
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Rehan Ahmed Restricts Southern Brave
Rehan Ahmed led Birmingham’s bowling performance by taking three wickets for 25 runs from his 20 deliveries.
Ben Dwarshuis also impressed, conceding only 18 runs while collecting two wickets. Birmingham prevented Brave from producing the explosive finish normally required in The Hundred.
However, Phoenix encountered similar problems during their chase.
Will Smeed scored 35 from 28 balls and provided the innings’ strongest foundation. Yet Birmingham repeatedly lost wickets before partnerships could develop.
Marcus Stoinis followed his valuable batting contribution with an economical bowling spell. He conceded only 16 runs from 20 balls and dismissed Joe Clarke and Laurie Evans.
Wood also delivered under pressure, claiming three wickets for 24 runs. His late intervention effectively ended Birmingham’s hopes of completing the chase.
Southern Brave Beat Birmingham Phoenix Under Pressure
Sean Dickson attempted to keep Phoenix alive with an unbeaten 20 from 13 balls.
However, Birmingham required too many runs from the closing deliveries. Brave varied their pace well and prevented Dickson from finding enough boundaries.
Adil Rashid also helped control the latter stages as Phoenix finished on 116 for nine from their 100 balls.
The 12-run victory completed an important turnaround for Southern Brave after they had failed to build a commanding batting total.
Marcus Stoinis earned the Player of the Match award for scoring 34 and claiming two wickets for 16 runs. Cricbuzz and ESPNcricinfo both recorded Southern Brave’s victory in the 13th match of the men’s competition.
Brief Scores
Southern Brave: 128/8 from 100 balls
Marcus Stoinis 34, David Miller 24, Tom Abell 22; Rehan Ahmed 3/25, Ben Dwarshuis 2/18.
Birmingham Phoenix: 116/9 from 100 balls
Will Smeed 35, Sean Dickson 20 not out, Laurie Evans 18; Luke Wood 3/24, Marcus Stoinis 2/16.
Result: Southern Brave won by 12 runs.
Player of the Match: Marcus Stoinis.
