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

Live Reporting

Kal Sajad and Ffion Wynne

  1. Aatif Nawaz
    BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra commentator

    Joe Denly is not holding back.

  2. 6 runs

    Spirit 86-3

    Joe Denly's on his way! A four followed by a mighty six off Liam Livingstone takes him to 22 from 11 balls. Good batting, taking some of the pressure off Crawley.

  3. Spirit 73-3

    Shoes off in this heat, really? Must be some pretty horrendous smells in that stand. Each to their own, I guess.

  4. Matthew Henry
    BBC Sport at Edgbaston

    A few people in the Hollies Stand are singing "if you love Phoenix shoes off" while holding one of their shoes in the air.

  5. Spirit 70-3

    But it's a good comeback from Howell as he goes for just three singles from his next four balls.

    We're halfway through the innings and you sense that Zak Crawley is the key to Spirit posting a big total here - he has 30 from 19 balls.

    50 balls to goBBC Sport

  6. Heather Knight
    England captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Batters who are able to hit boundaries from ball one will become more valuable in this format. Those who need to take a bit of time to get used to the conditions will become less valuable.

  7. 6 runs

    Spirit 67-3

    Oh hello, Joe Denly! Moeen Ali chooses to bowl Benny Howell another five balls and Denly greets him with a huge six.

  8. New batter: Joe Denly

    Joe DenlyGetty Images

  9. Heather Knight
    England captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Brilliant that from Benny Howell, using one of his slower ball variations. I think he's massively underrated in the shorter formats of cricket.

    HowellGetty Images
  10. wicket

    WICKET

    Morgan c Allen b Howell 13 (Spirit 59-3)

    Big moment.

    Morgan backs himself to hit the ball into the stands but it's slower from Benny Howell and he can't get enough pace on it. Lots for Crawley to do here.

  11. Heather Knight
    England captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Another classical shot from Crawley, just hitting the ball hard.

  12. Spirit 57-2

    Zak Crawley is certainly going to be aggressive as Moeen Ali comes on to bowl, and is swept firmly away for four. He now has 28 from 16 balls.

  13. Heather Knight
    England captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    It will be interesting to see how they play spin. I think Eoin Morgan will be quite aggressive.

  14. Spirit 53-2

    Tahir is so full of energy, it's so much fun to watch. He bowls a tidy set of five balls first up.

  15. Matthew Henry
    BBC Sport at Edgbaston

    Imran Tahir's hair!!

  16. Spirit 47-2

    South Africa's Imran Tahir comes on to bowl and wow, that is some lockdown hair. He's got a yellow headband that does clash with the orange kit a little.

    Still better than the Foden style that half the England team have adopted.

  17. Spirit 43-2

    A great bit of fielding from Adam Milne on the boundary saves four from Eoin Morgan.

    On Matt's last comment about the kit, I think Birmingham's is my favourite. The gold pads are just glorious!

  18. Matthew Henry
    BBC Sport at Edgbaston

    It seems like the locals have taken to Birmingham's bright kit. I can see a fair few orange caps and shirts around the ground.

  19. Spirit 41-2

    So that's the end of the powerplay - the first 25 balls. Moeen Ali, Birmingham's captain, will be very grateful to be able to put some more fielders out on the boundary.

    75 balls to goBBC Sport

  20. Heather Knight
    England captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I love how Crawley has come in and played proper shots. He hasn't tried to force things, just backed his game.