Birmingham Phoenix 120 for 4 (Bethell 38, Livingstone 30, Duckett 30) defeated Trent Rockets 118 (Alsop 51, Southee 5-12)
Birmingham Phoenix strengthened their position in the Hundred's knockout stages with a vital win at Edgbaston, simultaneously eliminating Trent Rockets from this year's competition.
Tim Southee delivered a remarkable five-wicket performance, limiting the Rockets to a modest 118. This set the stage for Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell, who guided Phoenix to overtake Northern Superchargers and claim third place with a calculated chase.
Southee reflected on the match, noting that the bowlers effectively assessed the conditions, while Bethell and Livingstone smartly navigated the chase. He emphasised that the team's growing consistency and familiarity had been crucial in recent games, especially the synergy he shared with Adam Milne.
Moeen Ali's decision to bowl first paid off as his pace attack demonstrated excellent swing and seam bowling in the opening overs. The Rockets' top order, including Tom Banton, Alex Hales, Joe Root, and Rovman Powell, were swiftly dismissed, leaving the team struggling at 22 for 4 within the first 30 balls.
Debutant Tom Alsop and Pakistan's Imad Wasim attempted to stabilise the innings with a fifty-run partnership. However, Imad was retired out after scoring a run-a-ball 29, making way for Chris Green. Returning from injury, Green's contribution was short-lived as he was dismissed after just five balls by Milne.
Alsop managed to reach his half-century before being taken out by the exceptional Southee, who finished with figures of 5 for 12. Southee nearly claimed a hat-trick, but an LBW decision was overturned.
Set a target of 119, Phoenix got off to a flying start with Ben Duckett's quickfire 30 from 16 balls. However, the Rockets fought back as Luke Wood dismissed Duckett and Jamie Smith in consecutive deliveries, slowing Birmingham's momentum.
Moeen Ali and Livingstone then steadied the innings until John Turner, who impressed with 2 for 17, removed both Moeen and Dan Mousley. Sensing an opportunity to apply pressure, the Rockets began restricting Phoenix's scoring. However, a no-ball free-hit from Luke Wood, which Bethell sent into the stands, eased the pressure for the home side.
Bethell, with an unbeaten 38 off 29 balls, and Livingstone, with 30 from 32, secured victory for Phoenix, completing the chase with seven balls remaining.
With one match left for each team, three sides—Phoenix, Southern Brave, and Northern Superchargers—remain in contention for a knockout spot alongside Oval Invincibles. For Trent Rockets, like London Spirit, Manchester Originals, and Welsh Fire, the tournament has come to an end.