Birmingham Phoenix defeated Oval Invincibles in a thrilling four-wicket win, powered by Liam Livingstone and Will Smeed’s explosive knocks, securing their first points of the season in The Hundred 2025.
Birmingham Phoenix vs Oval Invincibles: A Game for the Ages
The Birmingham Phoenix vs Oval Invincibles clash at Edgbaston in The Hundred 2025 was nothing short of spectacular. Liam Livingstone and Will Smeed’s powerful batting display helped Phoenix register their first points of the season, chasing down a massive target with two balls to spare.
Oval Invincibles Post Highest Total of the Season
Batting first, Oval Invincibles overcame a shaky start to post the highest first-innings total of the season. After losing Will Jacks and Tawanda Muyeye cheaply to slip to 12/2 in 15 balls, Jordan Cox (44 off 30) and Donovan Ferreira (63 off 29) led the recovery.
Cox’s innings featured three boundaries and two sixes, while Ferreira was even more destructive, smashing four fours and six sixes. A late surge saw Invincibles go from 146/6 in 90 balls to 171/6 in 95, aided by Dan Mousley’s expensive over that conceded 25 runs. They eventually finished on 180/8 in 100 balls.
Livingstone and Smeed’s Explosive Counterattack
Phoenix’s chase began with an early blow as Ben Duckett departed quickly. However, Will Smeed (51 off 29) and Joe Clarke (27 off 14) counterattacked, adding 73 runs from 45 balls. Nathan Sowter ended Smeed’s innings, but by then Liam Livingstone had entered the crease.
Livingstone launched an all-out assault, particularly against Rashid Khan, who recorded his worst T20 bowling figures of 0/59 in 20 balls. His partnership with Mousley (29*) added 67 runs in just 29 balls, turning the match in Phoenix’s favour.
Dramatic Finish at Edgbaston
With 35 needed from the final 20 balls, Sam Curran bowled tightly, conceding just 13 runs in his two sets. But Livingstone smashed Tom Curran for 19 in five balls to ease the pressure. Saqib Mahmood struck twice in the final set, leaving Phoenix needing three runs from three balls, but Benny Howell sealed the win with a boundary.
Match Summary:
- Oval Invincibles: 180/8 in 100 balls (Ferreira 63, Cox 44; Boult 2-20)
- Birmingham Phoenix: 182/6 in 98 balls (Livingstone 69*, Smeed 51; Mahmood 3-28)
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