Birmingham Phoenix beat Trent Rockets by 10 runs – The Hundred Match Report
Birmingham Phoenix won by 10 runs in the 4th match of 34 in The Hundred 2026 at Edgbaston. Joe Clarke produced a devastating 68 off 33 balls – striking at 206 with 7 fours and 4 sixes – to power Phoenix to 214 for 4, before Trent Rockets fell agonisingly short in their chase, finishing on 204 for 7. The win marks a strong start for the home side, while Rockets will rue a chase that came within touching distance.
Birmingham Phoenix Innings – Clarke Leads the Charge
Trent Rockets won the toss and elected to bowl, but Joe Clarke had other ideas. The Phoenix opener launched an assault from ball one, racing to 68 off just 33 deliveries at a strike rate of 206. His innings was studded with aggressive intent – 7 fours and 4 sixes – and he carried the momentum through the powerplay before falling caught at 104 for 1 in the 9th over.
Will Smeed maintained the tempo with 51 off 28 balls (2 fours, 3 sixes, strike rate 182), building a 30-run stand with Clarke that set the platform. Rehan Ahmed then took centre stage with a blistering 48 off 25 (2 fours, 5 sixes, strike rate 192), propelling Phoenix from 134 for 2 in the 14th over to 197 for 3 by the 18th. Donovan Ferreira finished the job with an unbeaten 22 off 9 (3 sixes, strike rate 244), taking Phoenix past 210 in the final overs.
Calvin Harrison was Rockets’ standout bowler with 2 for 27 from 3.2 overs, while Mohammad Amir took 1 for 43 from 3.2 and Lewis Gregory claimed 1 for 42 from 2.3. The rest of the Rockets attack – Matt Henry, Mitchell Santner and Craig Overton – leaked runs at alarming rates, with Henry’s economy of 19.2 particularly costly.
Trent Rockets Chase – Banton’s Heroics Fall Short
Rockets’ chase began promisingly. Finn Allen struck 43 off 17 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes, strike rate 253) in a whirlwind start, but fell caught at 65 for 2 in the 5th over. Ben Duckett steadied the ship with 49 off 25 (6 fours, 2 sixes, strike rate 196), taking Rockets to 102 for 1 by the 9th over.
The turning point came when Tom Banton arrived at the crease. The Rockets batter launched a counter-attack of his own, smashing 67 off 32 balls (4 fours, 5 sixes, strike rate 209) to keep the chase alive. Banton and Duckett’s 84-run partnership (from 9.3 to 18.4 overs) brought Rockets within striking distance, but the loss of both batters in quick succession – Duckett caught at 102 for 1 in the 9th, Banton caught at 186 for 3 in the 18th – proved decisive.
Tim David (2 off 3), Sam Billings (12 off 9) and Mitchell Santner (7 off 8) all fell in the death overs, leaving Rockets needing 10 off the final over. Calvin Harrison smashed 12 off 2 balls (2 sixes, strike rate 600) in a last-gasp effort, but it proved too little too late.
Phoenix’s bowling attack held firm when it mattered. Scott Currie took 2 for 40 from 3.2 overs, Usman Tariq claimed 2 for 36 from 3.2, and Ben Dwarshuis added 1 for 32 from 3.2. Mitchell Owen took 1 for 28 from 1.4 overs.
Statz MVP: Calvin Harrison (Statz Rating: 133.24)
Calvin Harrison earns the Statz MVP award with a Statz Rating of 133.24. The Trent Rockets all-rounder delivered a match-defining performance – 2 for 27 from 3.2 overs with the ball, restricting Phoenix’s scoring in the middle overs, combined with an explosive 12 off 2 balls in the death. Harrison’s impact across both disciplines was the standout individual contribution of the evening, despite Rockets falling short in the chase.
Top 5 Statz Ratings
- Calvin Harrison (TR) – Statz Rating: 133.24 | 2/27 from 3.2 overs plus 12 off 2 balls. Decisive all-round display in a tight contest.
- Tom Banton (TR) – Statz Rating: 97.66 | 67 off 32 (SR 209, 4 fours, 5 sixes). Nearly won the match single-handedly in the chase.
- Finn Allen (TR) – Statz Rating: 93.13 | 43 off 17 (SR 253, 6 fours, 3 sixes). Explosive start to the chase that set the tone.
- Joe Clarke (BP) – Statz Rating: 93.09 | 68 off 33 (SR 206, 7 fours, 4 sixes). Dominant opening knock that laid the platform for Phoenix.
- Ben Duckett (TR) – Statz Rating: 72.78 | 49 off 25 (SR 196, 6 fours, 2 sixes). Steady hand in the chase before falling in the crunch.
Turning Point
The match turned when Tom Banton was caught for 67 at 186 for 3 in the 18th over (ball 18.4). Banton had been carrying the chase with a strike rate of 209, and his dismissal left Rockets needing 29 off 11 balls with the lower order exposed. Though Calvin Harrison provided a late flourish, the loss of Banton shifted momentum decisively in Phoenix’s favour.
Match Context
This was the 4th match of 34 in The Hundred 2026 group stage. Birmingham Phoenix pick up an early win at home to make a strong start to their campaign. Trent Rockets will be frustrated to fall just short – they came within 10 runs of a statement victory on the road. Check the full scorecard and head-to-head record on Statz for the complete breakdown, and explore the bet builder for detailed match analysis at Edgbaston.
