The Hundred 2023: Jamie Smith helps Birmingham Phoenix beat Oval Invincibles for first win
- By Matthew Henry
- BBC Sport
Image supply, Getty Images
Smith and Moeen shared a partnership of 75 from 46 balls
| The Hundred males’s competitors, Edgbaston: |
| Birmingham Phoenix 160-8 (100 balls): Smith 60 (33), Moeen 33 (26); Chappell 4-33 |
| Oval Invincibles 119 (100 balls): Whiteley 35 (31) |
Jamie Smith’s maiden fifty in The Hundred helped Birmingham Phoenix beat leaders Oval Invincbles by 41 runs for their first win of the season.
Highly-rated 23-year-old Smith hit a sublime 60 from 33 balls and Moeen Ali a 26-ball 33 in Phoenix’s 160-8.
Chris Woakes then set the tone on his Hundred debut in a formidable bowling efficiency by the hosts.
The beforehand unbeaten Invincibles had been 27-3 after 32 balls and didn’t get better earlier than being dismissed for 119.
Number three Jordan Cox needed to retire damage on 5 after a nasty blow on the hand when going through quick bowler Adam Milne, who additionally had England worldwide Will Jacks caught for two.
England all-rounder Woakes, enjoying after a break following the Ashes, nicked off the damaging Heinrich Klaasen for a three-ball duck.
Phoenix started the match backside of the desk however now transfer stage with sixth-placed London Spirit on 4 factors. The Invincibles keep high on seven with 4 groups under them on 5.
The group that finishes high of the group stage goes straight into the ultimate, with second and third competing in an eliminator for the prospect to affix them.
What else do it’s good to know?
- Right-hander Smith, a participant tipped for an England call-up sooner or later, struck six fours and three sixes, together with one superb six again over the pinnacle of Surrey team-mate Sam Curran
- Invincibles wicketkeeper Sam Billings cleverly ran out Moeen as he tried to sneak a run. Billings repeated the trick to expire Chris Benjamin for seven from two balls quickly afterwards
- In his first Hundred innings, Woakes was caught at deep mid-wicket for a golden duck making an attempt to hit the penultimate ball of the Phoenix innings for a boundary.
- Impressive opening duo Woakes and Milne conceded solely 12 from the first 20 balls, earlier than Australia bowler Kane Richardson completed with 4-32 for the Phoenix.
- Invincibles quick bowler Gus Atkinson missed the match as a precaution after experiencing soreness in his pectoral space.
‘He actually stepped up’ – what they mentioned
Birmingham Phoenix captain Moeen Ali on Jamie Smith: “We have heard lot of about him however have not seen rather a lot. We gave him the chance to bat three and he actually stepped up immediately. He was sensible tonight.
“[Woakes] is a correct swing bowler and a bit old-fashioned with the way in which he bowls. He is nice to have as a result of even when he goes for runs he retains calm.”
England batter Ollie Pope, talking to Sky Sports about Surrey team-mate Smith: “It was very mature knock. He did not simply go from ball one.
“He gave himself a chance and picked his targets. It was a really clever knock – nothing too funky but he struck the ball cleanly.”
You can watch Hundred matches on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer each Wednesday and Saturday all through the competitors, alongside each finals on Sunday, 27 August. More particulars.
