Manchester Originals put on a dominant display as they secured a resounding 49-run victory over Birmingham Phoenix in a thrilling Men’s Hundred clash at Old Trafford. Usama Mir stole the show with a quick-fire unbeaten 32 and two crucial wickets to propel the Originals to their first win of the tournament.
After being put in to bat, Manchester Originals got off to a shaky start, losing opener Phil Salt early. However, captain Jos Buttler provided stability with a well-crafted 43 before being run out by Moeen Ali. The Originals found themselves in a precarious position at 105 for six, but a late onslaught from Mir and Jamie Overton lifted the team to a competitive total of 160 for eight.
In response, Birmingham Phoenix struggled to gain momentum from the beginning of their chase. Opener Will Smeed and Ben Duckett fell early to Richard Gleeson, and Moeen Ali was dismissed by a searing yorker from Gleeson. Despite occasional flourishes from Liam Livingstone and Jamie Smith, Birmingham Phoenix lost wickets at regular intervals and could only manage 111 all out in their allotted overs.
Mir was the standout performer with the ball for Manchester Originals, finishing with figures of two for 27 in his four overs. Tom Hartley and Richard Gleeson contributed with three wickets between them, while Josh Little chipped in with a crucial wicket.
Reflecting on the victory, Jos Buttler praised the team’s all-round performance and the contributions of Mir and Overton. He acknowledged that there were areas to improve upon, but was pleased with the way the team adapted to the conditions. With their first win secured, the Originals now turn their attention to their next match against the Oval Invincibles.
For Birmingham Phoenix, it was a disappointing outing after two abandoned matches. Despite the return of Moeen Ali, their batting lineup failed to make a substantial impact and left them with a daunting task that proved too difficult to overcome.
The Manchester Originals’ comprehensive victory puts them in second place in The Men’s Hundred standings. Fans can catch all the action of The Hundred on Sky Sports, with selected matches also available for free streaming. With the tournament now in full swing, both teams will be looking to build on their performances and make their mark in the competition.
