Will Smeed 65*, Imran Tahir hat-trick and five-for as Birmingham Phoenix go top
Moeen Ali scores 23-ball fifty as home side rack up records on way to thumping win
Moeen Ali scores 23-ball fifty as home side rack up records on way to thumping win
Scorer: Chandan Duorah | Commentator: Alan Gardner
9.35pm: Well, that was a Hundred ton of fun! Moeen's Butterkist boys have strolled off with the points and the plaudits tonight, and they look to be flying towards the back-end of the tournament, with the knockouts knocking. Welsh Fire probably can't make it through, but they've had some pretty bad luck with player availability and injuries. Anyway, Matt's just trying to condense all that into a concise summary, and we'll be back for more from Old Trafford tomorrow. Bye!
9.25pm: Whadda way to finish, the first hat-trick of the Hundred - and the third of Tahir's T20 (sshhhh!) career - as Phoenix pull off an absolute thumping to go top of the table. It was set up with the bat, Will Smeed and Moeen Ali blitzing half-centuries on the way to the highest total in the tournament so far. Welsh Fire had to come out firing, but were immediately up against it in the chase as Adam Milne struck in the first set; Ben Duckett also fell early, and with rate skyrocketing, it was over to Immy. Speaking of whom...
Imran Tahir is named Hero of the Match for his 5 for 25: "Our batters set the tone for us, gave us a very big total to defend, and the seamers did a good job in the first 4-5 [sets]. My job is to take wickets, it's been difficult, pretty flat tracks but good for the crowds. [Entertainment?] We're living a sad time, but to come and play in front of the crowd is a great feeling. I'm really glad for the fans coming to support cricket and the Hundred. I don't take things for granted, every opportunity is an honour for me. To be sincere to my job I try my best. [Hat-trick ball] I knew what I was going to bowl, felt the batter would be ready for the quicker one so I tried to bowl the quick googly, I'm grateful it came right. Been hard work at practice, we take our job serious. Nice to come and deliver, so I hope we carry on and get to the final."
DA Payne b Imran Tahir 0 (2m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
Slip and leg slip in for David Payne
ME Milnes lbw b Imran Tahir 0 (2m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
Matt Milnes in next
Qais Ahmad c Smeed b Imran Tahir 1 (9m 4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 25.00
Tahir returns
"And how do the 100 wickets also count as T20 wickets????" Because this is, according to the stats guys, T20, Declan
Moeen Ali scores 23-ball fifty as home side rack up records on way to thumping win