The Hundred 2022: Matthew Wade stars in Birmingham Phoenix’s thrilling win over London Spirit
Matthew Wade Stars: London Spirit locked horns against Birmingham Phoenix in the 30th match of the Hundred 2022. Here is the match report.
Matthew Wade stars in Phoenix’s thrilling win
London Spirit squared off against Birmingham Phoenix in the 30th match of the Hundred Men’s Competition 2022 at Lord’s in London. It was a thriller of a game and Phoenix managed to hold their nerves to win the game on the last ball. Matthew Wade stars in Phoenix’s thrilling Win.
Birmingham Phoenix skipper Moeen Ali won the toss and asked London Spirit to bat first. In-form Adam Rossington departed early in the innings but Zak Crawley along with Ben McDermott led the recovery work. Crawley struggled for timing throughout his innings and departed on 29-ball 20. McDermott too returned to the hut after scoring 36.
The Spirit side lost its way in the middle overs but experienced campaigner Ravi Bopara played a sensational innings. He smashed 45 off just 20 balls to help his side post 139 on the board. Tom Helm for Phoenix starred with the ball, picking up four wickets as they picked up six wickets in total.
Phoenix had a worst start to the chase, losing both their openers in the first set. Matthew Wade, coming in at three, played a blinder of a innings to take his side back on track. Phoenix kept losing wickets at regular intervals but Wade held the innings nicely from one end.
He brought up his fifty but lacked support from the other end as they lost wickets in heap in the middle overs. Wade’s fantastic knock came to an end as he departed on 81 but his innings helped them get closer to the target. Tom Helm (11*) and Tanvir Sangha (13*) held their nerves in the end to help them get across the line on the last ball to win the game by one wicket. Mason Crane and Liam Dawson picked up four and three wickets respectively but it wasn’t enough for the hosts.
London Spirit qualify for the Eliminator of the Hundred 2022
London Spirit had a good chance to seal a berth in the final of the Hundred 2022. If they had beaten Birmingham Phoenix comprehensively, they could have directly played the final but they failed to hold their nerves as they lost the game by one wicket, meaning they will now play the Eliminator.
Birmingham Phoenix won their last league game and their qualification hopes hang by a thin thread. If the last league between Manchester Originals and Oval Invincibles results in a tie or if the match is abandoned, then Phoenix will qualify for the finals of the Hundred 2022.
Player of the Match
Matthew Wade was named the player of the match for his sensational knock of 81 off just 42 balls, which comprised of 11 fours and 2 maximums.
It was an interesting game. We were going to chase it down in 72/73 balls but didn’t go to plan. At the halfway mark, we focussed on just getting the win.
Plan was to access the shorter boundary and that’s what I was doing. I enjoy the big games and it’s been an interesting tournament. Just trying to be versatile for the team.
Score Summary:
London Spirit: 139/6 (100)
(Ravi Bopara 45, Ben McDermott 36, Tom Helm 4/17)
Birmingham Phoenix: 140/9 (100)
(Matthew Wade 81, Tanveer Sangha 13*, Mason Crane 4/24)
Birmingham Phoenix beat London Spirit by one wicket.
