Fire 91-9published at 27 balls left
Come on, Imran! Hat-trick ball coming up...
Summary
Phoenix win in front of sell-out crowd to go top of the table
Tahir - oldest player in tournament - takes hat-trick with final three deliveries of the match
Moeen hammers 23-ball half-century; competition's second fastest
Smeed - the youngest player in men's Hundred - also strikes fast half-century
Phoenix skipper takes 26 runs off one set of five by White
Fire 91-9published at 27 balls left
New batter: David Paynepublished at 21:18 British Summer Time 9 August 2021
WICKETpublished at 27 balls left
Milnes lbw b Tahir 0 (Fire 91-9)
Look at him go! Imran Tahir is on a hat-trick.
WICKETpublished at 28 balls left
Qais c Smeed b Tahir 1 (Fire 91-7)
Three for Imran Tahir as he gets his fellow leg-spinner Qais Ahmad. There's no-one who loves cricket as much as Imran Tahir.
Fire 90-7published at 30 balls left
Target 185
A few days ago I confidently wrote that Trent Rockets were the clear favourites in the men's Hundred. Since then we've seen Southern Brave and now Birmingham Phoenix do their very best to make me look silly.
Postpublished at 21:14 British Summer Time 9 August 2021
I reckon Imran Tahir enjoyed this one...
Not outpublished at 21:13 British Summer Time 9 August 2021
There'll be no hat-trick opportunity for Ben Howell.
Umpire reviewpublished at 33 balls left
Is Benny Howell on a hat-trick? He sends an lbw upstairs. Luke Fletcher could be out first ball.
Postpublished at 21:12 British Summer Time 9 August 2021
Olly Stone
England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraAnother slower ball from Benny Howell. There's a few of them down the order for Welsh Fire who can hit a long ball but it's a huge ask from here. A real struggle to get anywhere near close.
WICKETpublished at 34 balls left
White c Milne b Howell 14 (Fire 89-7)
What was it Freddie Mercury said? Another batter has to slump from the field.
Fire 89-6published at 35 balls left
Need 96 runs from 35 balls
If Birmingham Phoenix bowl Welsh Fire out here they'll get a big boost in their net run-rate too. They're going top of the table.
Postpublished at 21:09 British Summer Time 9 August 2021
Olly Stone
England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraVery clever bowling from Pat Brown by taking the pace off it. Welsh Fire are going have to keep going and I think wickets will keep tumbling.
New batter: Qais Ahmadpublished at 21:09 British Summer Time 9 August 2021
WICKETpublished at 36 balls left
Neesham c Milne b Brown 6 (Fire 88-6)
This is turning into another thrashing! Jimmy Neesham cuts a Pat Brown slower ball straight to a fielder, much to the delight of this home crowd.
A wonderful night for the Phoenix at Edgbaston.
Postpublished at 21:07 British Summer Time 9 August 2021
Olly Stone
England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraGraeme White took down Birmingham in the Blast last year for Northants with a brilliant innings so he does have it in him.
Fire 86-5published at 40 balls left
Need 99 balls from 40 balls
Moeen's decision does not pay off. Graeme White hits a six and a four. The runs Fire require has finally come down into double figures.
Fire 76-5published at 44 balls left
Moeen is going to bowl 10 deliveries on the bounce.
He was in spectacular form earlier with the bat...
New batter: Graeme Whitepublished at 21:03 British Summer Time 9 August 2021
Postpublished at 21:03 British Summer Time 9 August 2021
Olly Stone
England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraYou would think unless there's special something from Jimmy Neesham or Graeme White it's all over for Welsh Fire pretty much now.
WICKETpublished at 47 balls left
Cockbain c Allen b Moeen 32 (Fire 72-5)
Another one goes...
Opener Ian Cockbain had seen a lot go on from the other end at this innings but now his time is up. Moeen gets his first wicket.