Report: Phoenix v Brave, The Hundred Men

Ben Duckett’s explosive innings wasn’t enough as Southern Brave triumphed to go top of the table in The Hundred men’s competition.

The opener struck 92 from 53 balls (eight fours, 5 sixes), the highest score in The Hundred so far, as the hosts fell agonisingly short in their run chase.

Brave posted 169/2, the second highest score of the season to date, after Phoenix captain Moeen Ali had won the toss and opted to bowl, James Vince and Alex Davies got the visitors off to a solid start, posting 31 off the Powerplay, and then putting the hammer down to get to 81 off 45 balls after one Sean Abbott set of 5 went for 22. 

Davies was caught by Jacob Bethell off Benny Howell and Leus du Plooy could only muster 9 from 9 before he was also caught by Bethell but from then on Vince and West Indian man mountain Kieron Pollard set about the bowling, with Vince scoring this season’s highest score (until Duckett went past it later) of 90 from 47 balls with six fours and six sixes, and Pollard crashing 38 from 22.

None of the bowlers escaped punishment, Moeen Ali’s 10 from 10 the most economical return.

In reply, it looked like Duckett had designs on winning the game on his own, racing to a 21-ball half century as Phoenix reached 92/1 from 49 balls and the game absolutely in the balance. 

But ignited by a tight Chris Jordan set which accounted for Liam Livingstone, Brave took five wickets for five runs in 18 balls to effectively seal the match, their stellar attack of Jordan, Craig Overton, Jofra Archer, Akeal Hosein and Tymal Mills proving just too good.

While Duckett struck his 13 boundaries, the rest of the side hit just four fours between them.

Meerkat Match Hero James Vince said: “It was a nice pitch, particularly up front. Their bowlers bowled well at the back end and it was tricky to get the ball away at the death. Chris Jordan was fantastic, and once we got into a rhythm, we squeezed them really well. 

“It’s a fantastic group of players and people are performing at the right times.”