In match 30 of The Hundred 2022, Birmingham Phoenix crossed swords with London Spirit and the latter needed to clinch a win to bet on their chances to make it to the next round. The Phoenix skipper Moeen Ali won the toss and elected to field first at the Lord’s cricket ground, a surface that favors bowling first. Adam Rossington and Zak Crawley opened the innings for the Spirit with the hope to get off to a flying start.
However, the duo perished quickly to make way for Ben McDermott and skipper Eoin Morgan. Tom Helm, Moeen Ali and Kane Richardson made the best use of the surface and started clinching scalps at regular intervals to block the flow of runs.
The veteran Ravi Bopara rose to the occasion and fired it up for his team as he scored a thumping 45 runs off 20 balls he faced, comprising of five 6s and two 4s. A late flourish from the English all-rounder powered the Phoenix to a total of 139 at the end of the first innings.
The Phoenix have done well with chasing this year and the openers hoped that it would be no different against the Spirit as well. However, Will Smeed and Sol Budinger made their way back into the squad as early as possible to make this tough for the Phoenix. Openers from both teams struggled to get off to a good start.
The Australian Matthew Wade then played a splendid inning for his 81 off 42 balls, comprising 11 boundaries and two sixes. The match went down to the wire and it was the Phoenix who ended up clinching the two points on the last ball of the match with just one wicket to spare.
However, London Spirit was the team that made it to the next round pertaining to their excellent net run rate. The Phoenix now stand third in the rankings although they won’t qualify for the next round.
Let’s take a look at some of the interesting tweets:
Matthew Wade slammed 81(42) in 'THE HUNDRED', With 11 fours and 2 sixes while chasing, Good Innings from him and made his team to win the game by 1 wicket.#TheHundred #BirminghamPhoenix #AUSvZIM
— Resanth. (@Cric_Resanth) August 31, 2022
This is the best Hundred match i have ever seen!!!!👌🔥#BirminghamPhoenix vs #LondonSpirit#TheHundred
— Sanjay, A proud Indian (@Sanjay_SPrakash) August 30, 2022
What a game of cricket! 🤯 #TheHundred #LondonSpirit #BirminghamPhoenix
— Matt (@TheKitMatt) August 30, 2022
Two unbelievably close epics @HomeOfCricket today in #TheHundred @megan_schutt was the pick of the bowlers and #MatthewWade was sublime with 81 off 42 balls. Good day for the Aussies 🙌 🏏 pic.twitter.com/yMOuiaHT9W
— Alaine Berry (@pie_laine) August 30, 2022
@thehundred #Thehundred @thehundred well played Matthew Wade,, unfortunately not qualify for NXT round..
Best wishes for NXT year See you in BBL..😜😜😜— Vinod yadav(Golu) (@yadav2765) August 30, 2022
Gonna miss #TheHundred. That was a cracking finish. Up the Phoenix.
— Alex D (@Alex_Dudz_) August 30, 2022
What a game. What a finish 🔥 #BirminghamPhoenix #TheHundred
— Sam Fleming (@Wolvensam) August 30, 2022
Birmingham Phoenix Men win on the last ball, with only 1 wicket remaining, what a game! #TheHundred
— Charlie (@bronsonspurs79) August 30, 2022
Birmingham Phoenix v London Spirit went down to Birmingham needing 1 run off the last ball of the game. Great game. Great win by Phoenix #thehundred #thehundred2022
— Micky Carbine™ (Carbs) (@mickycarbine69) August 30, 2022
Off to the Eliminator then! Come on Spirit! #TheHundred
— James Sibley 🌵 (@JamesSibley87) August 30, 2022
