That's all we have from this exciting match. Super Saturday is going to bring your way plenty of action from The Hundred. It will be a double-header and in the first match at 2.30 pm local (1.30 GMT), Trent Rockets will be crossing swords with Southern Brave and that game will be followed by the clash between Northern Superchargers and Welsh Fire at 6 pm local (5 pm GMT). Don't forget to join us then. Until next time, it's goodbye and cheers!
The man of the moment, Chris Benjamin, comes up for a quick word. Says that he is delighted to get the team over the line. Shares that he was excited to get the call-up and play alongside such quality players. Mentions that he just wanted to play himself in and then attack the bowlers. For the budding cricketers, the message from Chris Benjamin is to keep working hard and dream big.
Zak Crawley gets the Hero of the Match award! Says that it was nice to score runs but feels that they should have scored a few more at the backend. Tells that it was not easy to start but with short boundaries, they wanted to maximize the end overs but that didn't happen. Feels that all their bowlers fared well and it was a good game of cricket. Tells that he enjoys this cricket and playing in front of a big crowd is something he always wanted to do.
During the run chase, Birmingham Phoenix's top order batsmen didn't provide the kind of start that was expected from them. Liam Livingstone looked dangerous for a while but his exit put big pressure on the home team. Skipper Moeen Ali though steadied the chase with his responsible knock. Till the time he was there, the Phoenix always believed but his wicket handed the upper hand to London Spirit. Just when the Spirit thought that they have this match in the bag, Chris Benjamin emerged on the scene, played a few outrageous shots and snatched the momentum and victory away from Morgan and his team. For the Spirit, Chris Wood and Mohammad Nabi were exceptional but Mohammad Amir was a major disappointment.
A huge roar from the crowd as Birmingham Phoenix begin their campaign with an excellent win! What a run chase it was! Dramatic, to say the least. It swung like a pendulum. We still remember telling you that London Spirit were on top when Eoin Morgan decided to take the Strategic Time-Out as the equation that time was - 34 off 20 balls with five wickets left. What happened after that was incredible! Benny Howell cut loose and after his departure, Chris Benjamin made a huge impact with a 15-ball 24. That won the game for the Phoenix!
BIRMINGHAM PHOENIX
148/7 (19.2)
40 (30)
24* (15)
2/34 (3.2)
2/38 (4)
Over 20
W
4
Adam Milne*
4 (1)
Chris Benjamin
24 (15)
Mohammad Amir
2/34 (3.2)
BPH
148/7
4
97
Mohammad Amir to Adam Milne ,FOUR! And there it is! Birmingham Phoenix have won this intriguing contest. It was a good length ball on off, Adam Milne stands tall and powers his pull shot through square leg for the winning runs. Birmingham Phoenix win by 3 wickets!
Adam Milne is in next.
And now London Spirit are told they have to have an extra fielder inside the ring as they've missed the cut-off time. So six inside and three allowed outside! Mohammad Amir to bowl...
W
96
Mohammad Amir to Chris Cooke ,OUT! CAUGHT! Good length ball, on off. Chris Cooke looks to pull but gets a top edge. The bounce gets big on him and he hits it high up in the air behind the bowler. Ravi Bopara at mid on takes a good catch by moving to his left.
Over 19
0
4
1lb
4
1
Chris Benjamin*
24 (15)
Chris Cooke
5 (4)
Chris Wood
1/23 (4)
BPH
144/6
1
95
Chris Wood to Chris Benjamin ,Overpitched ball, on the stumps. Chris Benjamin tucks it towards square leg for one.
4
94
Chris Wood to Chris Benjamin ,FOUR! Too full outside off. Chris Benjamin leans forward and drills his drive past the diving mid off fielder. The long on fielder also tries to get across with a dive but misses. It's a boundary.
The physio comes out. It's for the mandatory concussion check. Eoin Morgan gets the chance to rethink his plans. Is there still hope for the Spirit? 6 needed off 7 balls.
1lb
93
Chris Wood to Chris Cooke ,Bang on the helmet! Short ball, outside off. Chris Cooke looks to heave it on the on side but misses. Gets hit on the helmet and it deflects to point. They cross for a leg bye.
4
92
Chris Wood to Chris Cooke ,FOUR! Full ball outside off. Chris Cooke slices it over backward point for a boundary. A very important boundary this for Birmingham Phoenix.
0
91
Chris Wood to Chris Cooke ,Good length ball, outside off. Chris Cooke misses the cut.
Over 18
W
1
6
0
6
Chris Benjamin*
19 (13)
Chris Cooke
1 (1)
Blake Cullen
2/38 (4)
BPH
134/6
6
90
Blake Cullen to Chris Benjamin ,SIX! Remember the name, Chris Benjamin! A pacy short ball angling on middle. Chris Benjamin gets on top of the bounce and pulls it massively over square leg for another biggie. 11 needed off 10 balls.