Things are heating up at the top of the table in the Men’s Hundred, with Trent Rockets visiting the Birmingham Phoenix in a crucial playoff race clash. Birmingham Phoenix currently sit in third place in the table with 8 points, occupying the last eliminator spot, and Trent Rockets are right on their heels on 6 points. Rockets will be disappointed in throwing away what looked to be a certain victory against Southern Brave which would have put them in the playoff spots, while Phoenix dismantled the Welsh Fire for a win in their previous encounter.

LAST FIVE MATCHES RESULTS

BIRMINGHAM PHOENIX: W W L W W

TRENT ROCKETS: W L L W L

LIKELY PLAYING XIs

BIRMINGHAM PHOENIX LIKELY XI

Batters: Ben Duckett, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell

Allrounders: Moeen Ali, Dan Mousley, Benny Howell

Wicketkeeper: Jamie Smith

Bowlers: Sean Abbott, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Chris Wood

TRENT ROCKETS LIKELY XI

Batters: Alex Hales, Joe Root, Adam Lyth

Allrounders: Rovman Powell, Lewis Gregory, Imad Wasim

Wicketkeeper: Tom Banton

Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Luke Wood, Sam Cook, John Turner

STATISTICAL PERFORMANCE (BIRMINGHAM PHOENIX)

1. TIM SOUTHEE

Kiwi Tim Southee has had a solid Hundred so far, with 8 wickets in 6 matches. The seam and carry of Edgbaston should aid his bowling.

INNINGS - 7

WICKETS - 11

STRIKE RATE – 12.70

ECONOMY RATE – 5.89

AVERAGE – 15.00

2. BEN DUCKETT

Ben Duckett has been on a tear this season of the Hundred, racking up 210 runs in just 4 innings at a strike-rate of 173.55. He has been one of the best batters in the tournament.

INNINGS: 27

RUNS: 832

AVERAGE: 36.17

STRIKE RATE: 144.70

50s/100s: 5/0

Players who can make a difference (BIRMINGHAM PHOENIX)

1. Sean Abbott

Sean Abbott pitched in with his second 4-fer of the season in the last match. Similar to Southee, the seaming conditions of Edgbaston would play to the Aussie’s strengths.

2. Moeen Ali

The Birmingham Phoenix captain has finally found some form after a rough start to the season, contributing with 60 in their win over Welsh Fire while opening.

STATISTICAL PERFORMANCE (TRENT ROCKETS)

1. TOM BANTON

Tom Banton is the top scorer for the Rockets this season with 200 runs in 6 innings, at a strike-

rate of 156. He is also one of the top-scorers in the tournament.

INNINGS: 27

RUNS: 524

AVERAGE: 19.41

STRIKE RATE: 133.67

50s/100s: 2/0

2. IMAD WASIM

Imad Wasim has been economical and tight in line and length with his spin in the Hundred. He has 8 wickets in 6 matches this season.

INNINGS: 8

WICKETS: 10

STRIKE RATE: 15.00

ECONOMY RATE: 5.00

AVERAGE: 15.00

Players who can make a difference (TRENT ROCKETS)

1. Joe Root

In a team filled with powerful batters, Joe Root has had an impressive season with his stroke-making and consistency for the Trent Rockets.

2. Rashid Khan

Rashid was taken apart by Kieron Pollard in the previous game, but is still one of the best bowlers in world cricket and will be looking to bounce back with a traditionally strong spell.

TEAMS HEAD TO HEAD RECORD

In 6 matches in the men’s Hundred, Phoenix slightly edge the head-to-head with 3 wins to 2, along with 1 no result.

MATCHES: 6

BIRMINGHAM PHOENIX WON: 3

TRENT ROCKETS WON: 2

NO RESULT: 1

VENUE AND PITCH

The Edgbaston pitch is amongst the best in England for supporting pacers, who will look to take advantage of the swinging conditions to take early wickets. Batters will want to see out these overs and attack the spinners, who tend to be expensive in Birmingham. The average first innings score is 154.

FANTASY XI

Wicketkeeper: Tom Banton

Batters: Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Liam Livingstone, Alex Hales

Allrounders: Moeen Ali, Imad Wasim, Rovman Powell

Bowlers: Sean Abbott, Tim Southee, Rashid Khan

BACKUP PLAYERS:

Batter: Jacob Bethell

Bowler: Luke Wood

All-rounder: Benny Howell

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