The Hundred heads back to Edgbaston on Wednesday evening for the compelling looking clash between the Birmingham Phoenix and the Oval Invincibles in a match which could have big implications on the race for the knockout stages.
These two sides sit fourth and fifth but the top end of the table is now so bunched up that whoever wins here will end the night on top of the pile so there is plenty at stake, especially with just three matches remaining after this one.
Birmingham Phoenix
The Birmingham Phoenix have always threatened to have the power to dismantle any side in the competition and they highlighted that perfectly in the previous match when they took the Trent Rockets to the cleaners. They showed all their power with the bat but what won them the match was how well they kept taking wickets with the ball. The Rockets were getting away from them at the start so credit to the Phoenix for holding their nerve.
Slowly but surely Birmingham look to be finding the right combinations. They have tinkered with their opening pair and finally got the result they wanted in the previous match. They have also been searching for the best combinations with the ball and now that Pat Brown is available you would expect that to fall into place as well. Just quietly the Phoenix will be confident of finishing the competition with a flourish which is half the battle.
Oval Invincibles
The Oval Invincibles have been hit and miss in this competition. They have played their home pitch at The Oval very well which I think is a big part of this tournament but then in the only away game they have played they were pretty ordinary. That suggests they drafted well for their own conditions but that they might be found wanting when they leave Kennington. They have the chance to put those doubters to bed here but will need to play well to do it.
The concern I have with regards to the Invincibles is their tail looks a little on the long side with Jordan Clark coming in at seven, although a shocker of a match last time out might see him omitted here anyway. Another concern would be that they are a little all or nothing at the top of the order and it wouldn’t take much for Oval to crumple in a heap with the bat like they did in that away match at Headingley earlier in the competition.
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Key Men
Liam Livingstone looked like he was coming into good touch again after a quiet start to the tournament. He has the ability to put any game to bed in no time so if he stays in form it can only help the Birmingham Phoenix here and beyond.
There is a lot of power in this Birmingham Phoenix top order so Saqib Mahmood might need to do some damage early on for the Oval Invincibles if they are to have any chance of coming out on top here. If he can get a couple early wickets it could open the game up for the visitors.
Betting
I’ve been keen on the chances of the Birmingham Phoenix throughout the competition and I remain keen on them here. They have played two and won two at Edgbaston where this match is being played and I’m not surprised because they have a team that is ideally suited to this wicket and the dimensions of the ground. Oval Invincibles are good on their home ground but they haven’t shown they can hack it away from home yet.
I also think there are more of the Birmingham Phoenix players in form than there are in the Oval Invincibles, especially deeper into the innings where this match could be won and lost. The other area I think Birmingham have the edge on Oval is at the death where Adam Milne and Pat Brown are classy operators whereas Tom Curran can be very hit and miss. With home advantage and confidence building I like the Phoenix here.
Tips
Back Birmingham Phoenix to beat Oval Invincibles for a 3/10 stake at 1.83 with BetVictor
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