Phoenix 15-0published at 13 balls
Sophie Ecclestone starting off proceedings from the Brian Statham End.
Erin Burns trying to sweep her away into the legside but Ecclestone bowling flat to try and deceive her with the pace.
Summary
Manchester struggle with bat in low-scoring game
Phoenix, who won toss, limp to 113-9
Lamb takes 3-16 for Originals
Both sides looking to bounce back from opening-match defeats
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Phoenix 15-0published at 13 balls
Phoenix 15-0published at 10 balls
Kate Cross oversteps from her penultimate ball of that first five.
Concedes nine runs from them and Phoenix with a decent starting platform.
Phoenix 12-0published at 8 balls
Same delivery from Kate Cross, same shot from Erin Burns, same result.
Four more down to fine leg.
Postpublished at 14:35 British Summer Time 25 July 2021
Isabelle Westbury
Ex-Middlesex captain on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraIt's interesting to know what Phoenix talked about in deciding to bring Burns up the order. Maybe they felt her experience would make her a good partner for Verma.
Phoenix 8-0published at 6 balls
Erin Burns with the first boundary of the day with a scoop shot down to fine leg.
Nicely done from the Australian who's been promoted up the order in this match.
Phoenix 4-0published at 5 balls
Just the five balls to start off from Alex Hartley.
Her skipper and podcast co-host Kate Cross will continue from the James Anderson End.
Postpublished at 14:32 British Summer Time 25 July 2021
Daniel Norcross
Cricket commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraShafali Verma is not the best runner in the world.
Phoenix 1-0published at 2 balls
Tight start from co-star of the No Balls Podcast Alex Hartley.
She keeps it tight and nearly forces a run out too as Verma and Burns alsmost get their calls wrong.
Postpublished at 14:30 British Summer Time 25 July 2021
And Alex Hartley opens the bowling for the Originals with her slow left-armers....
New batter: Shafali Vermapublished at 14:30 British Summer Time 25 July 2021
Image source, BBC SportNew batter: Erin Burnspublished at 14:29 British Summer Time 25 July 2021
Image source, BBC SportPostpublished at 14:28 British Summer Time 25 July 2021
Here come the Phoenix openers as the fireworks start to blow away...
Team newspublished at 14:27 British Summer Time 25 July 2021
Originals: Lee, Lamb, Boyce, Kaur, Du Preez, Ecclestone, Cross (capt), Threlkeld (wk), Griffifth, Jackson, Hartley.
Phoenix: Verma, Burns, E Jones, Arlott, A Jones (capt & wk), Mack, Elwiss, Davies, Wong, Gordon, Maqaood.
Listen live!published at 14:24 British Summer Time 25 July 2021
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraAs well as my live text musings, you can also listen to this match on the radio thanks to BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.
Dan Norcross is joined by Stephan Shemilt and Isabelle Westbury.
Coverage is available right now on DAB Digital Radio, at the top of this page by tapping or clicking the play icon or on the BBC Sounds app.
Tosspublished at 14:22 British Summer Time 25 July 2021
Birmingham Phoenix Women win the toss and elected to bat
Visitors Phoenix win the toss and elect to bat first.
Both these sides coming into this match on the back of defeats in their opening matches.
A very nice-looking afternoon in Manchester which is a stark contrast to the conditions down in London which are somewhat gray for the Spirit v Invincibles double header.
Here we go again!published at 14:20 British Summer Time 25 July 2021
Image source, Rex FeaturesHow we all doing?
Been up all night cramming as much sporting action into your weekend before heading back to work tomorrow?
Well, if you're still hungry for more, we've got Old Trafford's first taste of The Hundred for you right here.
Manchester Originals v Birmingham Phoenix and it's the women first up in this particular double header.
Play begins in the next 10 minutes so let's start with news from the toss...