Birmingham Phoenix - The Story So Far
FEATUREDespite a mixed start for both the men's and women's teams in The Hundred, it's still all to play for for the Midlands team - and the race to the eliminators is very much on.
A large crowd at Edgbaston saw Phoenix begin their campaign in The Hundred with a narrow loss to the London Spirit. Many of them had come to see Shafali Verma, the Indian teenage star, who scored 13 off 13 balls before losing her wicket. Not for the first time this summer, they were grateful to Eve Jones and her namesake Amy, who helped the Phoenix to a competitive 128.
![Teenage sensation Shafali Verma walks out for the Phoenix](https://resources.ecb.co.uk/photo-resources/2021/07/31/fa47f7d3-dc02-4127-a7e1-bfab615b1a46/verma.jpg?width=1440)
Teenage sensation Shafali Verma walks out for the Phoenix
In the end, that wasn't enough. The London Spirit getting over the line with four balls remaining despite two wickets apiece for Emily Arlott and Erin Burns.
![Emily Arlott in full swing](https://resources.ecb.co.uk/photo-resources/2021/08/04/22c77629-ef94-474e-b844-b8a480aae5b7/Emily-Arlott-in-full-swing.png?width=1440)
Emily Arlott in full swing
Just two days later, the Phoenix were back in action again, this time at Emirates Old Trafford. Batting first, they set the home side a target of 114, with teenager Issy Wong, so dangerous with the ball, contributing a vital 10 with the bat as the clock ticked down. Although at times she struggled to control the willow!
![Issy Wong lets fly with the bat](https://resources.ecb.co.uk/photo-resources/2021/08/04/ecaaf838-ff1a-4963-9d9c-32d98060a107/Issy-Wong-lets-fly-with-the-bat.jpg?width=1440)
Issy Wong lets fly with the bat
If the Originals thought that run chase would be a breeze, they were soon left disappointed - blown off course by the fantastic Kirstie Gordon who took three wickets for just 14 runs in her 20 balls.
![Kirstie Gordon ripped through the Originals](https://resources.ecb.co.uk/photo-resources/2021/08/04/d9428b4e-dff5-428d-8aed-ab2bea643469/GettyImages-1330568817.png?width=1440)
Kirstie Gordon ripped through the Originals
The Southern Brave were struggling to keep up with the Jones's as the Phoenix headed south for their next match. Both Eve and Amy were in great touch with the bat as they scorched their way to a score of 140 for 4 off a hundred balls.
![Amy Jones goes large](https://resources.ecb.co.uk/photo-resources/2021/08/04/50ed9659-6287-4466-b1ff-4f07e585d02b/Amy-Jones-goes-large-1-.png?width=1440)
Amy Jones goes large
In the end those batting efforts were in vain as the Southern Brave smashed their way to their target off just 82 balls, despite more good bowling by Burns. England's Danni Wyatt led the way with 69, including four 6s.
![Danni Wyatt celebrates her 50](https://resources.ecb.co.uk/photo-resources/2021/08/04/e636db55-79d9-4743-836e-66a6a7cf7c25/Danni-Wyatt-celebrates-her-50-1-.png?width=1440)
Danni Wyatt celebrates her 50
After that setback, the Phoenix headed back home to Edgbaston and saw the visiting Trent Rockets side sprint to total of 145 from their 100 balls. Heather Graham top scored with a brutal 44 from just 21 balls.
![Heather Graham was key against Phoenix](https://resources.ecb.co.uk/photo-resources/2021/08/04/aa745bc5-6dc4-47ad-902a-c0836caf31b1/Heather-Graham.png?width=1440)
Heather Graham was key against Phoenix
The Phoenix posted 134 in reply with Katie Mack and Issy Wong top scoring.
![Katie Mack](https://resources.ecb.co.uk/photo-resources/2021/08/04/4f5dd46c-a318-4ebc-af13-1d00a26b8d67/Katie-Mack-1-.png?width=1440)
Katie Mack
After one win in four, the heat is on.
![Heat is on for the Phoenix](https://resources.ecb.co.uk/photo-resources/2021/08/04/17124a53-11fe-47ae-b507-f6092f86f279/Heat-is-on-for-the-Phoenix-1-.png?width=1440)
Heat is on for the Phoenix
Phoenix have also enjoyed an up and down start to a fantastically exciting season in the Men's Competition.
![Tom Helm hails the Phoenix fans](https://resources.ecb.co.uk/photo-resources/2021/08/04/c13b8490-96b3-4e56-9f05-5538946b4d38/Tom-Helm-hails-the-Phoenix-fans-1-.png?width=1440)
Tom Helm hails the Phoenix fans
In their first match they successfully chased down a large London Spirit total of 144 with Adam Milne, Benny Howell and Tom Helm all taking two wickets.
![Adam Milne has been in fine form in The Hundred](https://resources.ecb.co.uk/photo-resources/2021/08/04/8f201233-bfc7-4cfd-b8f3-1d44ac55990a/Adam-Milne.png?height=850)
Adam Milne has been in fine form in The Hundred
Moeen Ali and Chris Benjamin then helped them to overhaul that target in front of a passionate Edgbaston Friday night crowd.
![Birmingham Phoenix captain Moeen Ali has been dangerous with both bat and ball](https://resources.ecb.co.uk/photo-resources/2021/07/29/82326488-dcb7-43f7-a784-e9ffc2322497/Ali-1.png?width=1440)
Birmingham Phoenix captain Moeen Ali has been dangerous with both bat and ball
A trip to Emirates Old Trafford then ended in disappointment. A score of 87, with Matt Parkinson taking four wickets for just nine runs, was never likely to be enough. The Originals knocked off those runs for the loss of four wickets, with England's Jos Buttler top scoring with 30.
![Matt Parkinson celebrates another wicket for the Originals](https://resources.ecb.co.uk/photo-resources/2021/08/04/f4a87cc4-da11-482c-b5e9-74d03c6dee1c/Matty-Parkinson-celebrates-another-wicket-for-the-Originals.png?width=1440)
Matt Parkinson celebrates another wicket for the Originals
Then to Southampton, where it looks for long periods as though their impressive total of 151 was going to be enough to secure the win against the Southern Brave. Liam Livingstone was in typically brilliant form, scoring 68 runs in 44 balls.
![Liam Livingstone](https://resources.ecb.co.uk/photo-resources/2020/04/08/a4c338ee-0a01-43bc-b319-ef35201703d5/Liam-Livingstone.jpg?width=1440)
Liam Livingstone
In the end, though, James Vince's side squeaked over the line with just three balls to go. Adam Milne was superb again, taking three more wickets, including a remarkable catch off his own bowling.
![Adam Milne takes an incredible caught and bowled](https://resources.ecb.co.uk/photo-resources/2021/08/04/f7216556-203b-471d-91fc-2c8e0c1cce01/Adam-Milne-takes-an-incredible-caught-and-bowled.png?width=1440)
Adam Milne takes an incredible caught and bowled
If that was a disappointment then they soon made up for it back in Birmingham against the Trent Rockets. Match Hero Will Smeed smashed 36 in 13 balls in his first innings in The Hundred as they went past the visitors score of 144 in just 74 balls.
Will Smeed is all smiles after his Cazoo Match Hero award
Going into today's game against the Oval Invincibles, Birmingham Phoenix now have two wins from four matches. With just three group stage games to go it's all to play for.