The Hundred Men’s 2022, Match 28 Review: Manchester Originals hand a thumping 79-run loss to a demoralized Birmingham Phoenix

The Manchester Originals registered a comprehensive 79-run victory over the Birmingham Phoenix in Match 28 of The Hundred Men’s 2022 at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Sunday, August 28. This is indeed a much-needed victory for the Originals which has now brought their campaign back on track as the tournament nears its business end.

The Manchester-based franchise have now jumped to the third position having won four of their seven matches and eight points to their tally and this big win have taken their NRR to +1.151. As far as Birmingham Phoenix are concerned, they were already in a spot of bother coming into this contest as English power-hitter Liam Livingstone was ruled out of the tournament due to an ankle injury.

Manchester Originals outplay Birmingham Phoenix

The Manchester Originals skipper Laurie Evans called it right at the toss and elected to bat first. Even though the visitors kept losing wickets at regular intervals, wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt kept the scoreboard ticking with his amazing power-hitting abilities and went on to score 56 runs off 38 deliveries at an outstanding strike rate of 147.37.

Tom Lammonby added the finishing touches with an unbeaten 12-ball 26 as Manchester Originals posted a stiff total of 154/6. For Birmingham, Benny Howell (3/18) and Kane Richardson (2/27) were the picks of the bowlers.

In reply, Birmingham’s run chase never took on in the first place and wickets at regular intervals meant that they completely lost the plot to be skittled out for just 75 runs. Only opener Will Smeed played an impactful knock of a 17-ball 31.

Tom Hartley was the pick of the bowlers for the Manchester Originals with match-winning figures of 4/22. Joshua Little also starred with (2/12) while Paul Walter and Matthew Parkinson picked up a wicket each.

The heavy defeat has left the Birmingham Phoenix in a spot of bother as far as their future in the ongoing tournament is concerned. They are currently placed at the fifth position in the points table despite winning four of their seven matches. The only thing that separates them from the third and fourth-placed Manchester Originals and the Oval Invincibles is a negative NRR that reads -0.143.