Summary

  • Bopara hits 45 off 20 balls to help Spirit post 139-6

  • Phoenix slip to 34-4 in reply before Wade's sublime 81 off 42 gets them close

  • Phoenix then hit five off the final five to secure dramatic one-wicket win

  • Rockets now guaranteed top spot and place in Saturday's final; Spirit will go into eliminator

  • Phoenix not yet eliminated but need Originals v Invincibles on Wednesday to end in either a tie or be washed out to go through

  • Wednesday's games: Superchargers v Brave women (11:30 BST) & men (15:00); Originals v Invincibles women (15:00) & men (18:30)

  1. Postpublished at 20:16 British Summer Time 30 August 2022

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio

    It's going to take something special for the Birmingham Phoenix's side.

  2. Phoenix 36-4published at 70 balls left

    Target 140

    It's time for the strategic timeout, but it's pretty clear for Phoenix: whack it.

    But someone is going to have to put in a remarkable innings from somewhere.

  3. Postpublished at 20:14 British Summer Time 30 August 2022

    Henry Moeran
    BBC Radio

    Cheers for the London Spirit after that catch! Is this Birmingham Phoenix's side subsiding here?

  4. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 74 balls left

    Benjamin c Thompson b Dawson 0 (Phoenix 34-4)

    It's all unravelling pretty quickly here for Birmingham Phoenix.

    Chris Benjamin tries to keep the boundaries coming, which he has to do, but picks out Jordan Thompson, who takes a smart low catch. He's everywhere at the moment.

    It may look like a daft shot having only faced one ball, but remember - Phoenix are knocked out unless they win within 73 balls so it's pretty much swing or nothing now.

  5. Phoenix 34-3published at 75 balls left

    Target 140

    Powerplay complete and Phoenix are struggling.

    They are running out of time here, but Spirit just need to keep their composure and they will be through to the knockouts.

  6. Postpublished at 20:12 British Summer Time 30 August 2022

    Daniel Norcross
    BBC Radio

    An easy catch in the end for McDermott. That is a big big wicket.

  7. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 77 balls left

    Moeen c McDermott b Thompson 11 (Phoenix 34-3)

    BIG wicket! Jordan Thompson strikes at a key moment of the game once again.

    Moeen Ali tries to find another boundary but doesn't get hold of it at all, the ball looping up in the air and Ben McDermott takes a safe catch.

    Is the equation proving too much for Phoenix?

  8. Phoenix 34-2published at 78 balls left

    The job description for Birmingham Phoenix is: Just Keep Swinging.

    And Moeen Ali obliges, smashing four runs just past the outstretched hands of his former England captain Eoin Morgan.

  9. Phoenix 30-2published at 80 balls left

    Target 140

    Four more! Matthew Wade fancies this and he's taken a liking to his fellow Australian Nathan Ellis.

    He launches Ellis' next ball high into the air and it looks a certain six, but eventually plops onto the ground and they scamper two.

  10. Postpublished at 20:06 British Summer Time 30 August 2022

    Daniel Norcross
    BBC Radio

    Wade and Ali are starting to make a concerted effort to chase down this almost impossible target.

  11. Phoenix 22-2published at 84 balls left

    Well, they'll need a bit of luck to get it and there's a dose.

    Matthew Wade gets a streaky edge off Nathan Ellis' first ball that runs away for four.

  12. Phoenix 18-2published at 85 balls left

    Target 140

    Phoenix need a few more boundaries. If they had the full 100 balls, this would be a solid start, but they've got to do it in 73 to go through.

    Pressure.

  13. Postpublished at 20:04 British Summer Time 30 August 2022

    Daniel Norcross
    BBC Radio

    If there's a man that can drive a ball on a difficult pitch, it's Moeen.

  14. Phoenix 17-2published at 87 balls left

    Chance! Moeen Ali lofts one up and over the fielder's head but it runs away for four straight down the ground.

    No signs of nerves from the Phoenix captain, though. As calm as ever.

  15. Phoenix 11-2published at 90 balls left

    Target 140

    Oh, lovely! Bit of showing off from Wade, who swivels about in his crease and ramps Brad Wheal over the keeper for four more.

  16. Postpublished at 20:00 British Summer Time 30 August 2022

    Daniel Norcross
    BBC Radio

    With Ali and Wade, the Phoenix could still be in with a chance. A big innings from one of these two is going to be necessary.

  17. Phoenix 7-2published at 93 balls left

    Smashed away for four by Matthew Wade, who seems completely unaware of the wickets tumbling around him.

  18. Phoenix 2-2published at 95 balls left

    Target 140

    I doubt Moeen Ali expected to be in after four balls, but that is where he finds himself. He has got a huge role to play here.

    So Phoenix need to win in 73 balls or fewer to keep their qualification hopes alive, while Spirit need to restrict them (or bowl them out, the way it's going) to 103 to finish top of the table.

  19. Postpublished at 19:57 British Summer Time 30 August 2022

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio

    Not the ideal start when you need to win in 70 balls.

  20. Postpublished at 19:57 British Summer Time 30 August 2022

    Daniel Norcross
    BBC Radio

    The Hundred's first centurion has to depart for just the one!