Summary

  • Phoenix never really threaten to overhaul target of 170

  • Wiese takes three wickets with Willey picking up 2-22

  • Superchargers finish well on 169-6 after slumping to 99-5

  • Hose clubs 53 off 35 balls while Wiese adds late momentum with 34 off 14

  • Lyth hits six sixes in scintillating 26-ball 56

  • Coming up on Saturday: Trent Rockets v London Spirit (women's at 15:30 BST and men's at 19:00)

  1. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 76 balls to go

    Smeed c du Plessis b Willey 15 (Phoenix 45-1)

    Easy as you like. David Willey has the breakthrough as Will Smeed slaps one straight to mid on.

  2. Phoenix 44-0published at 78 balls to go

    Hammond 24, Smeed 15

    David Willey is the next bowler in. He starts with two dots.

  3. Not outpublished at 80 balls to go

    Phoenix 44-0

    Dwayne Bravo catches Miles Hammond on his toes. There's a mini appeal but the umpire isn't interested. Going down.

  4. Phoenix 43-0published at 81 balls to go

    Target 170

    HammondImage source, Getty Images

    Bravo's slower ball has been well and truly picked by Miles Hammond, as he launches another one over the covers for four.

  5. Phoenix 39-0published at 83 balls to go

    Target 170

    Much, much better from Bravo. He goes fuller and starts with two dots.

  6. Postpublished at 20:38 British Summer Time 19 August 2022

    Chris Green
    Middlesex all-rounder on BBC Radio

    Bowling in the powerplay is never easy but it's not a good plan, Hammond knows exactly where the ball is going to be every time.

  7. Postpublished at 20:38 British Summer Time 19 August 2022

    And Faf du Plessis turns to Dwayne Bravo.

  8. Postpublished at 20:37 British Summer Time 19 August 2022

    Chris Green
    Middlesex all-rounder on BBC Radio

    Smeed and Hammond are looking very comfortable at the moment. Faf du Plessis has got to turn to his experienced heads soon.

  9. Phoenix 39-0published at 85 balls to go

    Target 170

    How on earth is 169-6 looking 30, 40 runs below par?

    It's been a lightning start from the Phoenix as Miles Hammond launches two more fours over long off.

  10. Postpublished at 20:35 British Summer Time 19 August 2022

    Chris Green
    Middlesex all-rounder on BBC Radio

    That's the risk of trying to bowl wide of the off stump to protect the short boundary on the leg side.

  11. Phoenix 30-0published at 88 balls to go

    Target 170

    Miles Hammond flashes hard at a Ben Raine wide one and gets rewarded for his intent, seeing the ball race away for four behind square.

    The Superchargers need a reset.

  12. Phoenix 25-0published at 90 balls to go

    Smeed 15, Hammond 7

    And Smeed finishes Craig Miles' set with a four past long off.

    The Birmingham Phoenix have started fast. Very fast.

    The worm shows Birmingham Phoenix Men are four runs ahead of Northern Superchargers Men. Birmingham Phoenix Men are 25 for 0 after 10 balls. At the same stage Northern Superchargers Men were 21 for 0.Image source, Getty Images
  13. Postpublished at 20:31 British Summer Time 19 August 2022

    Aatif Nawaz
    BBC Radio

    What a magnificent shot from Will Smeed!

  14. 6 runs

    Phoenix 21-0published at 93 balls to go

    Target 170

    The shots keep on coming. Will Smeed smashes one back over the bowler's head for yet another six.

  15. Phoenix 12-0published at 95 balls to go

    Target 170

    Not a bad first five balls for the hosts. Birmingham Bears' Craig Miles will bowl the next set.

  16. 6 runs

    Phoenix 11-0published at 96 balls to go

    Target 170

    FanImage source, Getty Images

    Oh that's huge! What a start for the Phoenix as Miles Hammond launches one over the leg side for six.

  17. Phoenix 4-0published at 99 balls to go

    Target 170

    Well that's one way to start!

    Will Smeed strikes a beautiful drive through the covers for four.

  18. Postpublished at 20:25 British Summer Time 19 August 2022

    Miles Hammond and Will Smeed are walking out to bat for the Phoenix.

    David Willey has already claimed the new ball.

  19. Postpublished at 20:21 British Summer Time 19 August 2022

    Thanks Georgie!

    "Thrilling chase" seems spot on. Stick around guys cause this could be a cracker.

  20. Postpublished at 20:18 British Summer Time 19 August 2022

    That's a hefty score to chase thanks to some great hitting from Lyth, Weise and Hose but Phoenix have that momentum and that batting firepower and will believe this is well within their capacity.

    It was a tale of three parts really.

    Part 1: The Superchargers flew out of the blocks thanks to Adam Lyth and his desire to launch the ball to all parts.

    Part 2: Phoenix bowlers found their lines and lengths, took regular wickets and were backed up by some excellent fielding to really put the stop on the run rate.

    Part 3: Late surges and balls flying in all direction from Hose to bring up his fifty as well as a cameo from Wiese pushed the Superchargers to a competitive total.

    Boosted by a sell-out home crowd and with the winning momentum, Moeen Ali and the Birmingham Phoenix will feel confident they can chase this. If they managed it, they go top and Superchargers can kiss goodbye to a spot in the top three.

    To see you through what could be a thrilling chase, I'll leave you in the capable hands of Joe Rindl.