The Hundred: Liam Livingstone smashes 10 sixes to fire Birmingham Phoenix into Lord's final
Liam Livingstone smashed the fastest-ever fifty of The Hundred as Birmingham Phoenix romped to victory over Northern Supercharges and secured their place in the final at Lord’s on Saturday.
STORY OF THE MATCH
Livingstone, returning to Headingley where he hit an astonishing six out of the ground for England earlier in the summer, this time cleared the rope a staggering 10 times.
Set 144 to win to clinch a final spot, the Phoenix captain smashed an unbeaten 92 off just 40 balls to see the visitors to victory with a massive 26 balls to spare.
PHOENIX INTO FINAL! ???
Liam Livingstone (92no off 40) smashes the ?th six of his innings ?? to see the #BirminghamPhoenix ? book their place in #TheHundred ? final at Lord's!
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Earlier, tournament star, 19-year-old Will Smeed, fell first ball for the Phoenix – chopping a David Willey delivery onto his stumps – but that succeeded only in bringing Livingstone to the crease sooner, and he and Finn Allen (42 off 26) swiftly had Birmingham ahead of the rate and coasting towards the final.
GOT HIM! ?#TheHundred ? star Will Smeed is gone first ball as he drags one back on to his stumps from David Willey
In comes Liam Livingstone, back at Headingley where he hit ?ℎ?? six!
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After being sent into bat first, the Superchargers themselves had seemed on course to post a mammoth score – Tom Kohler-Cadmore cracking four fours and five sixes in his 44-ball 71 at the top of the order.
The home side at one stage were 104-2 after 60 deliveries, but added only 39 for the loss of six more wickets from the final 40 – in the face of some fine death bowling.
MATCH HERO
Livingstone. Obviously. Who else?
WICKET! ?
Liam Livingstone leads by example as the Phoenix captain brings himself on and picks up a much-needed breakthrough – Chris Lynn gone for 34 from 25 balls.#TheHundred ?
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Kohler-Cadmore was impressive early on, sharing in a 95-run partnership for the first wicket with Chris Lynn (34 off 25), but Livingstone blew his knock out of the water – while also pitching in with three wickets for 25 runs, including that of Lynn’s, from his 20 balls of spin.
Benny Howell (2-18) and then Adam Milne (2-24) at the death were also terrific for the Phoenix as they helped restrict the Superchargers to a below-par score on a superb batting track.
? BOWLED'IM! ?
"A masterclass in death bowling!" @nassercricket
Milne nails his yorker to bowl Raine for 3 – Phoenix have dragged the Supercharges back brilliantly! #TheHundred ?
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WHAT’S NEXT?
It is the final round of group matches in The Hundred – with Welsh Fire facing off with London Spirit in Cardiff.
Welsh Fire
London Spirit
Welsh Fire
London Spirit
The knockout spots are pretty much already confirmed, with only the Spirit women standing a chance of sneaking in if they pull off a massive win over the Fire. But, there’s still plenty of pride to play for!
We’re live on Sky Sports The Hundred Main Event and Mix at 2.30pm for a 3pm start, followed by the men’s clash at 6.30pm. The women’s game is also available via a live stream on the Sky Sports Cricket YouTube channel.
Watch The Hundred live on Sky Sports between now and August 21.
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