Summary

  • Benjamin hits 24 off 15 to see Birmingham home

  • 22-year-old only made professional debut five days ago

  • Crawley strokes 64 off 40 balls in London's 144-6

  • Two wickets apiece for Milne, Helm & Howell

  1. Spirit 1-0published at Ball 4

    Ah, it turns out Milne's previous ball was a no-ball - his front foot went over the front line of the crease. Crawley gets a free hit, but can't get any runs off it.

    He takes a single from the fourth ball, though, to get Spirit's innings started.

  2. Postpublished at 18:31 British Summer Time 23 July 2021

    Isabelle Westbury
    Ex-Middlesex captain on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Two big wafts there from Zak Crawley.

  3. Spirit 0-0published at Ball 2

    Another big play and a miss from Zak Crawley! Almost identical.

  4. Spirit 0-0published at Ball 1

    This is a pretty explosive opening partnership for Spirit - both players can properly whack it, to put it simply.

    New Zealand's Adam Milne bowls the first ball, to a big roar from the crowd, and Crawley plays and misses.

  5. Opening batters: Zak Crawley and Josh Inglispublished at 18:28 British Summer Time 23 July 2021

    Zak CrawleyImage source, BBC Sport
    Josh InglisImage source, BBC Sport
  6. Teamspublished at 18:25 British Summer Time 23 July 2021

    Phoenix: Finn Allen, Miles Hammond, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali (capt), Daniel Bell-Drummond, Chris Benjamin, Chris Cooke (wk), Benny Howell, Adam Milne, Tom Helm, Imran Tahir.

    Spirit: Zak Crawley, Josh Inglis (wk), Dan Lawrence, Eoin Morgan (capt), Joe Denly, Ravi Bopara, Mohammad Nabi, Roleof van der Merwe, Blake Cullen, Chris Wood, Mohammad Amir.

  7. Postpublished at 18:24 British Summer Time 23 July 2021

    Matthew Henry
    BBC Sport at Edgbaston

    I spoke to Shane Warne earlier this week about his role as Spirit head coach. You can still read that here if you fancy.

    One player he was very excited about is high-rated 19-year-old bowler Blake Cullen.

    "I have been very impressed with him so far," Warne said. "He has some serious pace, bowls a hard length and a heavy ball."

  8. Postpublished at 18:21 British Summer Time 23 July 2021

    The Oval Invincibles took the bragging rights from yesterday's opener in the men's competition.

    Here's a reminder of how that game unfolded.

  9. Postpublished at 18:21 British Summer Time 23 July 2021

    Matthew Henry
    BBC Sport at Edgbaston

    Boos and cheers for England skipper Eoin Morgan as he returns up here as an opposition player.

  10. Postpublished at 18:19 British Summer Time 23 July 2021

    So in the reverse of the women's game, we're going to see London Spirit setting a total for the Phoenix to chase.

    Australia legend Shane Warne coaches the Spirit, and England captain Eoin Morgan leads their side. Not a bad combo.

    You can read about the players to look out for in BBC Sport's team guide to London Spirit here.

    Shane WarneImage source, Getty Images
  11. Birmingham Phoenix win the toss and bowlpublished at 18:16 British Summer Time 23 July 2021

    Moeen Ali calls correctly and says "We're going to bowl just because everyone else has so far".

    Rate that.

    Moeen AliImage source, BBC Sport
  12. Postpublished at 18:16 British Summer Time 23 July 2021

    Good evening!

    As one game ends, another is about to begin! London Spirit have just taken the win over Birmingham Phoenix in the women's fixture, and now our attention turns to the men's game.

    What a day!