The Manchester Super Giants secured a significant victory over Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred men’s competition at Emirates Old Trafford. The Super Giants defeated the Phoenix by 87 runs, maintaining their perfect start to the tournament.
Jos Buttler was a central figure in the Super Giants’ success, scoring 90 runs from 50 balls. His performance helped the team post a total of 187-5. This innings included seven fours and five sixes, contributing to the second-highest Hundred total recorded at Old Trafford.
Buttler’s Impactful Batting
Buttler’s innings was marked by powerful hitting and deft touches, bringing up his half-century in 31 balls. He formed key partnerships during the innings, including a 42-run stand with Aiden Markram for the second wicket and another 45 runs with Heinrich Klaasen for the third wicket. Towards the end of the innings, he added 68 runs alongside Tom Moores, who contributed an unbeaten 39 runs from 17 deliveries.
This knock marked Buttler’s 103rd fifty in T20s. With this effort, he has now surpassed 1,000 runs in The Hundred, accumulating 1,021 runs from 27 matches at an average of 40.84. He has also hit 44 sixes in the tournament.
Phoenix’s Struggle and Other Matches
In response to the Super Giants’ total, the Birmingham Phoenix struggled with their batting and were bowled out for just 100 runs in 97 balls. Josh Tongue made an early impact for the Super Giants, taking the wickets of Will Smeed and Rehan Ahmed in consecutive balls on his way to figures of 2-21. Liam Dawson also contributed significantly with the ball, finishing with 3-15, including the wicket of opener Joe Clarke.
Phoenix captain Donovan Ferreira was the top scorer for his team with 23 runs, but the visitors were unable to recover from their early collapse, resulting in their first defeat of the campaign.
In another match, Trent Rockets secured a four-wicket victory against London Spirit. The Rockets successfully chased a target of 160 runs. Ben Duckett played a crucial role for the Rockets, scoring 75 runs from 47 balls, an innings that included 12 fours and two sixes. Craig Overton finished unbeaten on 20 runs from six balls, including a six, to seal the win for the Rockets.
London Spirit, having lost their opening two games, are currently second from bottom in the table, above Southern Brave. The women’s fixture between Manchester Super Giants and Birmingham Phoenix was washed out, and the men’s game was delayed by 30 minutes.
Looking ahead, Southern Brave will face MI London in Southampton in Monday’s double header. The women’s team for Southern Brave will aim to maintain their top position after securing two wins, while MI London will be seeking their first victory. Their match is scheduled for 15:00 BST.
The men’s match involving Southern Brave, who are also awaiting their first win, will follow at 18:30.
The Trent Rockets‘ chase was set up by Ben Duckett‘s performance, which led an impressive recovery after his opening partner Finn Allen was dismissed for a duck. Duckett’s dismissal left 52 runs needed from 26 balls, but Sam Billings‘ 22 runs off 10 balls, combined with Overton’s knock, guided them to victory.
Craig Overton also made an impact with the ball, removing openers Jonny Bairstow and Lhuan-dré Pretorius. Despite acceleration from Liam Livingstone and Dewald Brevis in the middle phase, the Rockets’ bowlers held their nerve, with spinner Calvin Harrison impressing with 2-25 as London Spirit lost five wickets for 42 balls.
Craig Overton commented on playing against his twin brother Jamie, stating, “He got me out last year so I had to get some payback.”
Source: bbc.com
