Manchester Super Giants moved to the top of The Hundred men’s table after crushing Birmingham Phoenix by 87 runs at Old Trafford on Sunday. Jos Buttler anchored the innings with 90 off 50 balls, guiding the hosts to 187 for 5.
Phoenix folded for 100 in reply, handing Super Giants their second win from two matches.
Buttler’s 90 Powers Super Giants to 187
Phoenix chose to bowl first after winning the toss, and the decision backfired quickly. Tim Seifert departed early, caught behind off Ben Dwarshuis for just 1. Buttler responded by taking on Saqib Mahmood, hitting a six and a four off consecutive deliveries to settle the innings. He brought up his fifty off 31 balls, striking four fours and three sixes along the way.
Rehan Ahmed removed Aiden Markram for 6, but Buttler kept the scoreboard moving alongside Heinrich Klaasen, who made 20 off 11 balls before holing out. Leus du Plooy added 13 before being run out. Buttler eventually fell for 90, needing 10 runs off the last four balls to reach a century that never arrived. He struck seven fours and five sixes during his knock.
Tom Moores provided the finishing touch, smashing an unbeaten 39 off 17 balls, including five sixes, two of them off Usman Tariq in the same over. Liam Dawson stayed not out on 6 as Super Giants closed on 187 for 5.
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Phoenix Bowled Out for 100 as Attack Dominates
Chasing 188, Phoenix never got going. Josh Tongue struck twice inside the powerplay, removing Will Smeed and Rehan Ahmed to leave the visitors at 20 for 2. Joe Clarke tried to rebuild, scoring 20 off 17 balls before Liam Dawson had him stumped.
Laurie Evans made 13, and skipper Donovan Ferreira top-scored with 23 off 25 balls, but no partnership took hold. Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Noor Ahmad and Dawson shared the remaining wickets, with Dawson finishing as the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 15.
Phoenix were bowled out for 100 in 97 balls, falling 87 runs short and suffering their second defeat of the campaign.
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Buttler and Moores Reflect on Dominant Show
Buttler was named Player of the Match for his 90 and picked up the Meerkat Match Hero award as well. He said the team posted a strong total and bowled fast, making the chase difficult for Phoenix. He added that he felt in good touch for a while and credited the bowling attack for keeping things accurate throughout the innings.
Tom Moores praised batting alongside Buttler, saying the experience rubbed off on him during their partnership. He noted the strong wind at Old Trafford influenced their approach, prompting them to target the shorter boundary during the closing overs.
The result lifted Manchester Super Giants to the top of the men’s standings and also to the summit of The Hundred Helix, the combined points table for the men’s and women’s competitions.
Birmingham Phoenix, who also lost their opening match against Trent Rockets, will need to regroup quickly as they search for their first win of the season.
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