In a rain-shortened match at Edgbaston, Birmingham Phoenix comfortably defeated Manchester Originals, securing their place in The Hundred men's competition Eliminator.
With the game reduced to just 30 balls per side due to rain, Phoenix easily chased down the modest target of 42, losing only one wicket and finishing with eight balls to spare. England Test opener Ben Duckett remained unbeaten on 22, while Jamie Smith was the only batter to fall, scoring 14 off seven balls. Captain Moeen Ali sealed the victory in style, hitting a six to conclude the match and set up a showdown with Southern Brave in the upcoming Eliminator on Saturday.
Duckett and Smith batted with impressive fluency, undeterred by the persistent drizzle. In contrast, Manchester Originals struggled to find their footing in the abbreviated game, managing only 41 runs for the loss of five wickets. Max Holden's 15 and Phil Salt's 12 were the only contributions of note, as the team failed to build any momentum. New Zealand fast bowler Adam Milne was instrumental in Phoenix's dominance, taking 2-8, including the crucial early wicket of opener Matty Hurst on just the second ball of the innings, exploiting the seam-friendly conditions to great effect.
For Manchester Originals, the match held little significance as they were already out of playoff contention. However, for Phoenix, it was a must-win situation; a loss would have allowed Northern Superchargers to leapfrog them in the standings and claim the final Eliminator spot. Ultimately, Phoenix's victory ensured their progression, while Oval Invincibles secured the top spot in the table, earning an automatic berth in the final.