Birmingham Phoenix secured a spot in The Hundred Eliminator after a nine-wicket win over Manchester Originals in a rain-shortened match at Edgbaston. The 30-ball-per-side game saw Phoenix chase down a modest target of 42 with ease, setting up a clash with Southern Brave at The Kia Oval on Saturday.
After rain delayed the start, Jamie Smith set the tone for the chase, hitting Fazalhaq Farooqi for two sixes in the first five balls. Ben Duckett then smashed Tom Aspinwall’s first delivery for six, followed by three more boundaries, as Birmingham reached their target with eight balls to spare. Despite losing Smith for 14, Duckett (22) and Moeen Ali (6) finished the job, with Moeen sealing the win with a six over fine-leg.
Earlier, Birmingham opted to bowl first, and Kiwi pacers Adam Milne and Tim Southee struck early blows. Milne removed Matthew Hurst from the second legal delivery, while Southee saw Phil Salt and Max Holden attempt aggressive shots. Sean Abbott and Chris Wood also contributed with wickets as Manchester Originals struggled to 41 for 5, managing just one six in their innings.
Milne, named Meerkat Match Hero for his 2 for 8 performance, praised the team’s effort in the shortened match, highlighting the importance of swing and seam in such conditions. The win not only secured Phoenix’s place in the Eliminator but also ended Andrew Flintoff’s first season as Northern Superchargers Head Coach with a fourth-place finish.
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