The Hundred 2024: Phoenix defeated Spirit in a close thriller

The Contest of the Hundred Men, of the Lord

London Spirit 127-7 (100 balls): Russell 37* (20); Abbott 4-14

Birmingham Phoenix 131-7 (99 balls): Bethell 43 (27); Stone 2-14

Birmingham Phoenix won by three wickets

Sean Abbott took 4-14 as Birmingham Phoenix defeated London Spirit in a thrilling game in the men’s The Hundred at Lord’s.

The Aussie all-rounder got off to a blistering start, claiming four scalps in a ten-ball set in which he conceded just two runs and reduced the Phoenix to 31-5.

Liam Dawson and Andre Russell brought their side back to a respectable total, putting on 40 for the seventh wicket before the England spinner was run out by Tim Southee for the close.

Russell went on to hit three sixes off Adam Milne’s final set as the Spirit finished 127-7.

Phoenix got off to a terrible start in their chase, falling 20-4 in the powerplay and losing England batsmen Liam Livingstone and Moeen Ali for four and a duck respectively.

Youngsters Dan Mousley (39) and Jacob Bethell (43) then put on their own life-saving innings, adding 69 off 51 balls.

But both fell before they could see their side home, leaving Benny Howell (24*) to spearhead Phoenix’s bid to seal the match.

Dawson went on to bowl a ten-ball set from the end of the innings, with the visitors needing seven runs to win.

He quickly caught James Fuller on the boundary and conceded just six runs from his first eight balls, but Howell drove the penultimate delivery of the match through covers for four to secure a remarkable victory.

Sean Abbott, the hero of Phoenix: “Not going for runs is the most important part of this format. All games have the ability to go tight right at the end, so it’s about keeping the run rate low and if we can pick up some wickets along the way, that’s definitely a bonus.

“The first two games of the tournament have definitely favored the bowlers. There was a bit of movement tonight, I probably wasn’t expecting that much seam movement at this time of the year.”

Phoenix Captain Moeen Ali: “It was a great game of cricket. I thought the two young left-handers in the middle were outstanding. They really won us the game.”

On his teammate Sean Abbott: “He can bowl at any time and with real length. He’s a very good cricketer – great in fielding, batting and bowling – and that’s the kind of player you want in your side.”

On Jacob Bethell, who scored 43 points in the chase: “He is a real talent and a class player who plays beautiful shots. I think he will do very well for England.

“He’s got the talent and the mind for it. He’s very relaxed and I think it’s amazing that he’s only 20!”