Gregg Covers Sport

Southern Brave captain James Vince scored a brilliant 90 runs off just 47 balls to lead his side to an impressive 32 run win over the Birmingham Phoenix at Edgbaston.

Vince, who also moved to the top of the run scoring charts, put in a trademark performance containing poise, control, and technique in an innings that included six four’s and six sixes.

After losing the toss and being put into bat first by the Phoenix, Vince and his fellow opening batsman Adam Davies put on 81 for the first wicket, soaking up the opening 47 deliveries and setting up the Brave for a strong second half of their innings. Vince got to his 50 off of just 23 deliveries, continually finding gaps in the Phoenix field much to the frustration of his opposite number Moeen Ali.

Davies then departed on 30 from 22 deliveries after lobbing a Benji Howell delivery straight to Jake Bethell at deep point who took an excellent diving catch just in front of him. When next man in Leus de Plooy was dismissed for just nine off of nine deliveries, the home side felt the momentum was turning in their favour, aiming to limit the target they would have to chase down.

In came the big-hitting Keiron Pollard, pushed up the order to maximise his time at the crease, and he produced for his side. The vastly experienced West Indian all-rounder hit a powerful 38 off 22 deliveries as, alongside his skipper the Brave hit 68 off of the last 37 deliveries to finish their innings on 169-2.

The Phoenix came flying out of the traps in their innings as they looked to chase their target of 170. England opener Ben Duckett torched the early efforts of the Brave bowlers, hitting multiple boundaries and getting to his 50 after only facing 21 deliveries, an even quicker rate than Vince.

Duckett led the charge for his side, with the batsmen at the other end of the crease playing a supportive role. Fellow opener Aneurin Donald was dismissed for 7 off 6 deliveries, and although number three Liam Livingstone was part of a 59-run partnership with Duckett for the second wicket, he could only go for a run-a-ball 11.

After that, the support for Duckett fell away as he found himself marooned at the non-striker’s end, powerless to help as he watched the Phoenix lose five wickets in the space of 19 deliveries, scoring just five runs in the process. Experienced death bowler Chris Jordan proved to be the difference for the Brave, stopping the flow of runs and taking three wickets for just 19 runs from his 20 deliveries.

There was a brief comeback as Duckett and Sean Abbott put on 28 runs for the 7^th wicket, but when Abbott fell for 11 and then Duckett was finally dismissed for a magnificent 92 off of 53 deliveries the dye was cast for the Phoenix who finished on 137/9, 33 runs short of their target.

The Brave sit top of the Hundred table after four games played, winning three and losing just the one. There’s no time for the table toppers to admire the view at the top though, as they’re back in action on Monday when they travel to Cardiff to take on the Welsh Fire.