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In a heart-stopping encounter at Trent Bridge, Birmingham Phoenix defied the odds to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against Trent Rockets in a thrilling finish to their The Hundred clash. The hosts, needing just ten runs from the final over, found themselves on the brink of victory, but a sensational spell of death bowling from Dan Mousley turned the match on its head.
Dan Mousley resurrecting the Phoenix
Chasing 139 for victory, the Rockets looked in complete control with ten needed from the final over. However, Phoenix captain Moeen Ali turned to the unassuming figure of Mousley, and the off-spinner delivered a performance that will be talked about for years to come.
Mousley bowled a perfect yorker to dismiss Lewis Gregory, followed by another economical ball and clean bowled Rashid Khan with a dart delivery. The pressure was immense, but the young bowler remained unfazed. He then trapped Jordan Thompson on the deciding ball, leaving the Rockets reeling.
Here’s the video:
Death bowling at its finest! 👏
Over to you, @danmousley80… pic.twitter.com/3yFC3iTcxD
— The Hundred (@thehundred) July 31, 2024
In a spell of just 10 balls, Mousley had taken three wickets for just three runs, turning the match completely on its head. His figures of 3-9 from 15 deliveries were the icing on the cake for a Phoenix side who had looked down and out.
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Match summary
Phoenix, batting first, got off to a steady start before suffering a mid-innings collapse, slumping to 94-6. Jacob Bethell, with a quickfire 46, steadied the ship and propelled Phoenix to a respectable total of 138-6. Rashid, with figures of 2-23, was the pick of the Rockets’ bowlers.
In reply, Trent Rockets looked comfortably placed to chase down the target, with Alex Hales making a brisk 38. However, the introduction of Mousley in the final over proved to be a game-changer. With the equation seemingly in the Rockets’ favour, the young all-rounder produced a spell of accurate bowling that left the hosts stunned.
The victory for Phoenix was a testament to the unpredictability of cricket and the impact a single over can have on a match. Mousley’s heroics sparked wild celebrations in the Phoenix camp, as they climbed to third in the Hundred table. For the Rockets, it was a bitter pill to swallow, having been so close to victory. But there is no doubt that Mousley’s name will be synonymous with this match for years to come.
