Sun 25 July, 18:00
Report: Manchester Originals v Birmingham Phoenix Men
Birmingham Phoenix men went down to Manchester Originals at Emirates Old Trafford as England leg spinner Matt Parkinson took four wickets for just nine runs from 19 balls.
Playing on a heavily used pitch under an uncharacteristic Mancunian heatwave, Phoenix faced 59 balls of spin, 29 of which were dots and lost six for 49 on something of a minefield which allowed Parkinson, Tom Harrison and Tom Hartley to create all sorts of mischief.
In reply both Moeen Ali and Imran Tahir caused problems of their own but Originals were able to reach their target for the loss of four wickets thanks mainly to a run a ball 30 from Jos Buttler.
The Originals were always on top from the moment the dangerous Finn Allen fell after just nine balls when he edged behind off Fred Klaassen for one.
Steven Finn then accounted for Miles Hammond to leave Phoenix on just 21 minus both opening batters with the trial by spin still to come.
Parkinson won the Lancashire bragging rights when he dismissed Liam Livingstone for 12 with his first ball to his Red Rose and England teammate before Kraig Braithwaite chipped in with the prize scalp of skipper Ali caught at third man by Finn for 15.
Calvin Harrison forced Daniel Bell-Drummond to offer a caught and bowled chance for his first wicket and promptly followed up with his second after Chris Benjamin fell to a stunning catch on the boundary by Phil Salt who parried the ball up for himself as he stepped over the boundary.
Chasing the target, Salt did not hang around and had hit 22 off 11 balls when he was deceived by Tahir.
Howell bowled Joe Clarke for six with a fine delivery and Ali had Munro stumped on seven before Buttler fell at the last to Livingstone as the Originals cruised home.
