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In a nail-biting finish to the Match 9 of The Men’s Hundred 2024 tournament, Birmingham Phoenix secured a hard-fought six-run victory over Trent Rockets. The match, held at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, showcased exceptional performances from both teams, but it was the Phoenix’s all-round effort that clinched the win.
Birmingham Phoenix’s innings
The Rockets won the toss and chose to field first, setting the stage for an intriguing contest. The Phoenix’s innings were anchored by solid contributions from Ben Duckett (21 off 17), Liam Livingstone (30 off 20) and the standout performer Jacob Bethell, who remained unbeaten on 46 off 29 balls.
Their collective effort guided Phoenix to a competitive total of 138/6. Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers for the Rockets, claiming two wickets, while Imad Wasim, Sam Cook, Lewis Gregory and Joe Root each chipped in with a wicket, showcasing a balanced bowling attack.
Trent Rockets’ solid start
In response, the Rockets began their chase with a promising start. Openers Alex Hales (38 off 30) and Joe Root (33 off 19) provided a solid foundation with their aggressive batting. They combined to hit four boundaries and four sixes, keeping their team in contention. However, despite their strong start, the Rockets faltered in the middle overs, struggling to maintain the momentum.
Also READ: The Hundred Men’s 2024 – Broadcast and Live Streaming Details | When and where to watch in India, Australia, USA, UK, Caribbean & other countries
Rovman Powell’s explosive cameo and a spectacular six
Rovman Powell injected some much-needed firepower into the Rockets’ chase with a blistering cameo. Powell’s most memorable moment came in the 87th ball of their innings when he smashed a colossal six off Tim Southee. The delivery, a length ball angling into the leg stump, was dispatched with immense power over deep mid-wicket for a massive 97-meter six. The ball soared out of the stands, hitting the boundary wall and staying within the ground, a testament to Powell’s explosive hitting.
Here’s the video:
Oh, Rovman Powell. 😍💪#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/EWHZyyU0Ku
— The Hundred (@thehundred) July 31, 2024
Key dismissal and final overs
Nevertheless, Powell’s innings was cut short on the very next ball, as he miscued a shot to sweeper cover where Jacob Bethell made a stunning diving catch. Powell’s innings ended at 21 off 13 balls, including one six and two boundaries. Despite his efforts, the Rockets fell short by six runs, ending their chase at 132 all out.
The victory was built on the back of an exceptional bowling performance from the Phoenix. Dan Mousley led the charge with figures of 3 for 9, while Adam Milne (2/ 20), Tim Southee (1/24) and Benny Howell (1/19) provided crucial support. Their disciplined bowling ensured that the Rockets could not close in on the target, securing two valuable points for Phoenix in this gripping encounter.
