BPH VS WEF T100

Right then, that is it from this game and the Men's side of the competition is really heating up. There are now 4 teams locked on 8 points, Southern Brave on 12 points, with two other teams on 16 and Oval Invincibles out in front with 20 points. Next up, it is an action-packed weekend in The Hundred with double, double-headers lined up in the next couple of days. It will all start with a clash between Northern Superchargers Women and Oval Invincibles Women at Headingley on Saturday, 23 August at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT). However, you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up as well. Cheers!

Ben Kellaway is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH on his debut. Ben says that to make his debut was special enough and then to contribute to the team's win was amazing. Adds that results haven't quite gone their way but they've enjoyed the competition as a unit. Mentions that it was a decent performance from him and he got two wickets, which makes him happy. Ends by saying that for them it is all about pushing and taking it game by game.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Tom Abell won the toss and opted to bowl first. The track looked a bit on the slower side and even though Birmingham Phoenix got off to a flier in the Powerplay, things changed in the middle phase. Ben Kellaway had the golden touch with both ball and in the field as he picked up a couple of wickets, three catches and even got a run out. A late resurgence from Jacob Bethell got the Phoenix to a defendable total but they always seemed below par.

Birmingham Phoenix were certainly a few runs short but would have expected their frontline seamers to do a bit more. Trent Boult seemed off color and Adam Milne too bowled too many freebies, which allowed the opposition to get a flying start. They simply didn't have the bowlers to come in the middle phase and break the stands and only Benny Howell showed some good control and even picked up a wicket. The Phoenix had the chance to get on level terms with the top 3 but they now find themselves one loss away from being knocked out.

Welsh Fire needed 139 runs to win, which isn't a huge deal at this venue but for a batting lineup that simply hasn't clicked, it sure was going to be a test. Stephen Eskinazi was the big difference and he was like a breath of fresh air for the Fire. He ensured that Steve Smith could play an anchoring knock while he took on the bowlers in the Powerplay. That opening stand worth 72 was the perfect platform and then Jonny Bairstow came in and continued his rich vein of form before getting out late in the chase. Smith found his timing but found the fielders on too many occasions before eventually getting a few boundaries away at the death and remained unbeaten on 47.

WELSH FIRE LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY! A huge win for Welsh Fire away from home and they still have an outside chance of making it into the knockouts. However, it is a tough pill to swallow at home for Birmingham Phoenix, who will be disappointed with this performance at home.

FOUR! That's it, a little late cut to seal the win and the winning runs have come off the skipper's blade. Fullish length in the channel, Tom Abell hangs back and just dabs it down very fine past the keeper and the ball rolls away into the deep third fence. Welsh Fire win by 8 wickets!

Short ball over middle, pulled away through square leg for a single.

FOUR! That's been bruted away by Steve Smith. Fractionally short over off, Smith gets his hands out in front and pulls it firmly through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Pitched up at the stumps, pushed towards mid on for a quick single by Abell.

Good length on the pads, whipped away to deep square leg for just a single.

SIX! Picked up and dispatched! Length again, slanting it into the batter, Steve Smith gets inside the line and hoicks it over deep backward square leg for a biggie.

A length ball on off, pushed off the inner half of the blade towards mid-wicket for a single.

Tom Abell is in next.

OUT! TIMBER! A caulker of a yorker from Adam Milne! Full and quick, lands it right in the blockhole on off stump. The ball just tails back in at the last moment as well and Jonny Bairstow is completely undone. The ball sneaks past the inside edge and smashes into the stumps. Bairstow will feel he's done his job.

OUT! TIMBER! A caulker of a yorker from Adam Milne! Full and quick, lands it right in the blockhole on off stump. The ball just tails back in at the last moment as well and Jonny Bairstow is completely undone. The ball sneaks past the inside edge and smashes into the stumps. Bairstow will feel he's done his job.