Southee stars as Phoenix claim vital win over Rockets
Tim Southee takes a brilliant 5-12 to set Birmingham Phoenix on their way to a crucial six-wicket win over Trent Rockets at Edgbaston.
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Tim Southee took a brilliant 5-12 to set Birmingham Phoenix on their way to a crucial six-wicket win over Trent Rockets at Edgbaston.
The New Zealand seamer struck twice early on to dismiss Tom Banton and Joe Root before claiming three in the last five balls of the innings as Rockets were restricted to 118.
A review denied him a hat-trick after John Turner was initially given out lbw but Southee still finished with the second best figures in The Hundred men’s competition.
Left-hander Tom Alsop was among Southee’s victims but only after making an impressive 51 from 37 balls on debut for the visitors.
Rockets bowlers Turner and Luke Wood were also on hat-tricks as Phoenix were put under pressure at 52-4 in the chase.
But with such a modest target, it only took one partnership to get the hosts back on track and Liam Livingstone (30* from 32 balls) and Jacob Bethell provided it.
A patient, unbroken stand of 68 took Phoenix to victory with seven balls to spare.
The win lifts them up to third and keeps progress to the eliminator in their own hands, while Rockets are now out.
What else do you need to know?
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Rockets slipped to 22-4 after 30 balls before a 77-run stand between Alsop and Imad Wasim, which was only ended when the latter was retired out on 29
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Another New Zealander, Adam Milne, bowled superbly for Phoenix and took 1-17
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Ben Duckett made 30 from 16 balls to get the Phoenix chase off to a flyer but it was a tough night for his fellow England Test batters as Root got just two and Jamie Smith was dismissed for a golden duck
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Five players were on a hat-trick at Edgbaston on Monday: Nat Sciver-Brunt and Ashleigh Gardner in the women’s game, then Southee, Wood and Turner in the men’s. None of them managed to complete the hat-trick
‘Bethell is an incredible talent’ – what they said
Birmingham Phoenix all-rounder Liam Livingstone: “Very big win, especially when you get in a situation like that [in the chase] where it could have gone either way.
“We did it together, [Jacob Bethell] talked me through it at times, I talked him through it in other situations. Whatever happened it was all about getting over the line.
“It wasn’t going to be pretty. They probably gave us more singles than they needed to and tried to protect the short boundary, which actually played into our hands.
“Jacob is an incredible talent, he’s going to be unbelievable for England for years to come. It was nice to see how he went about his work. Really calm, a really talented boy. He’s got a great head on young shoulders.
“It was nice to be out there with him. But it’s also my job to make sure we win the game. No matter how it was, we had to win tonight.”
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What is happening on Tuesday?
Northern Superchargers host London Spirit in Tuesday’s double-header. The women’s match begins at 15:00 BST, followed by the men’s game at 18:30.
You will be able to watch both games lives on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Coverage starts at 14:45.
You can follow ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.
