Yesterday in The Hundred Birmingham Phoenix were in action against Sun Risers Leeds. Neither match went well for the Birmingham outfit. This post looks back at the women’s match.
AN INNINGS THAT NEVER GOT GOING
Only two members of the Birmingham Phoenix XI reached double figures. The worst aspect of a sorry display was what happened in the final 20 balls. After 80 balls Phoenix were a not very impressive 89-4, but with Emma Lamb going well, and Annerie Dercksen at the crease with her they were not yet in a hopeless position. A strong finish could have got them to 125 or thereabouts, which would at least have meant that the run chase was not a complete formality. They actually managed 18-5 from those 20 balls, ending on 107-9, which was never going to be enough.
PHOENIX INCINERATED LITCHFIELD STYLE
The only setback Sun Risers Leeds suffered was the loss of Bryony Smith for 12 which made it 24-1 from 15 balls. Thereafter Phoebe Litchfield played a quite brilliant innings, with sensible support from the vastly experienced Lauren Winfield-Hill. By the time Sun Risers won, by nine wickets with a massive 31 balls to spare Litchfield had amassed 71 not out from 33 balls, with 13 fours and one six, overshadowing all else in the match in the process, while Winfield-Hill had scored 26 not out from 27 balls never looking in any trouble. Scorecard here. This hammering not only eliminated Phoenix, it also ensured that London Spirit would make no further progress in the competition and dotted the Is and crossed the Ts on MI London’s elimination, which in most minds had been confirmed for some days. Southern Brave and Trent Rockets are duking it out for top spot, with the latter now favourites to take to it, while Manchester Super Giants, Welsh Fire and Sun Risers Leeds are battling for the third qualifying spot, with the first named currently holding the advantage, though that could change fairly soon if Southern Brave manage to chase down their total of 139-4.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Before I present my gallery I have a quiz I created for funtrivia.com to share with you – it is a photo quiz about King’s Lynn landmarks (and you do not have to sign up for the site to play it – many play as guests).
Now for my usual sign off…
aspiblog 