The Hundred Men’s 2022, Match 4 Review: Alex Hales, Daniel Sams hand Trent Rockets a comfortable victory over Birmingham Phoenix

Trent Rockets started off their 2022 campaign in the Hundred tournament against Birmingham Phoenix with a comfortable victory at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Earlier in the day, Trent Rockets opted to bowl first after winning the toss and the Birmingham Phoenix did not have the best of starts with the early dismissal of Will Smeed. Miles Hammond and Moeen Ali stitched a crucial partnership in a quick time and got the innings going.

The skipper Moeen Ali was dismissed after a 21-ball 35 which included three sixes and a four at a strike rate of 166. Hammond soon followed him for a 19-ball 28 which included two fours while Liam Livingstone continued the assault from one end. Despite Mousley and Benjamin getting removed quickly, Livingstone’s innings of a 28-ball 47 included five sixes and a four propelled Birmingham Phoenix to a 143-run total in 100 balls.

Daniel Sams was the pick of the bowlers for the Trent Rockets with a three-wicket haul while Samit Patel picked up two wickets. Chasing 144 to win, Birmingham Phoenix bowlers started off well by dismissing Dawid Malan in the very first over. Alex Hales (58) and Colin Munro (36) struck a formidable partnership until the New Zealander was dismissed for a 22-ball 36.

Alex Hales and Joe Root’s partnership dismantles Birmingham’s hopes

Hales and Root kept finding the boundaries and got the run chase under control. Hales got off to a half-century and played the cameo needed at the top of the order while Root showed his experience by knocking it around with odd boundaries. Tom Helm came back for a spell towards the end and got rid of the set batter Hales and Tom Cohler Cadmore in quick time, however, the job was done and dusted already.

Lewis Gregory (5*) and Root (34*) saw their side through in the end with three balls to spare and the Trent Rockets picked up their first win of the season. They will next play the Northern Superchargers on August 9 at the Headingly in Leeds while the Birmingham Pheonix will be up against the Southern Brave.