Southern Brave Dominate Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred Clash: Archer and Bracewell Shine in Nine-Wicket Triumph
Southern Brave secured a commanding nine-wicket victory against Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred 2025, propelled by Jofra Archer's fiery 2-16 and Michael Bracewell's economical 3-10. The Brave's clinical bowling restricted Phoenix to 106-7 before Leus du Plooy's unbeaten 48 guided the chase in just 81 balls. This win elevates Brave alongside defending champions Oval Invincibles atop the standings, while Phoenix remain winless after two matches.
Match Highlights
Southern Brave delivered a masterclass in T20 cricket, dismantling Birmingham Phoenix with a nine-wicket victory at Southampton. The win marks their second consecutive triumph in The Hundred 2025, solidifying their position as early title contenders.
Key Performances
- Jofra Archer (2-16): The England speedster showcased his lethal pace, dismissing danger men Liam Livingstone (12) and Joe Clarke (36) at critical junctures.
- Michael Bracewell (3-10): The New Zealand spinner's triple-strike derailed Phoenix's middle order, including a spectacular delivery to clean bowl Jacob Bethell.
- Leus du Plooy (48* off 39): The South African batsman anchored the chase with six boundaries, combining power and precision.
Tactical Breakdown
Brave's Bowling Dominance
- Powerplay pressure: Restricted Phoenix to 28-2 in first 25 balls
- Death overs mastery: Conceded just 14 runs in final 15 deliveries
- Fielding excellence: Three catches held in deep boundaries
Phoenix's Collapse
- Top-order failure: Only Clarke (36) and Duckett (20) reached double figures
- Strike rate struggles: Team collectively scored at 6.36 runs per six-ball set
Standings Impact
| Team | Matches | Wins | NRR | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oval Invincibles | 2 | 2 | +1.12 | 4 |
| Southern Brave | 2 | 2 | +0.94 | 4 |
| Birmingham Phoenix | 2 | 0 | -1.08 | 0 |
Upcoming Fixtures
- London Spirit vs Manchester Originals (Women's): Aug 11, 15:00 BST
- Manchester Originals vs Brave (Men's): Aug 14, 18:30 BST
Statistical highlight: This marks Phoenix's worst start to a Hundred campaign, having lost 7 of their last 10 matches across seasons.
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