*THE HUNDRED MENS COMPETITION- BIRMINGHAM PHOENIX VS MANCHESTER ORIGINALS 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
Both teams have had forgettable starts to their campaigns in terms of the weather. Their games have been washed out and they have been left to sulk in the rainy weather.
Manchester Originals' opening game was reduced to 40 balls as they fell nine runs short of the target set by Welsh Fire. Their second was abandoned in the first innings, with them hitting 138 runs from 80 balls.
On the other hand, Birmingham Phoenix have yet to complete a game. Their opening encounter with Northern Supercharges was stopped when they were 84 for 6, and their second fixture was abandoned before a ball was bowled.
Both teams, with weather expected to be decent, will be looking to get their campaigns on the right track. The Buttler led side have lost one and they’d look to get a win as soon as possible.
The surface at the Emirates Old Trafford is a well-balanced one. The batters love batting here against the new ball as it comes nicely onto the bat. The pitch may get slower as the game progresses and the batters will have to work hard to score runs in the second half.
*BIRMINGHAM PHOENIX PROBABLE XI:*
Will Smeed, Ben Duckett, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith, Dan Mousley, Shadab Khan, Chris Benjamin, Benny Howell, Tom Helm, Adam Milne, Kane Richardson
The top three looks deadly for any bowling side to deal with. With the possible arrival of Duckett, who is a lefty, the Phoenix should be boasted in their batting department. They would love to revive after that average showing with the bat the last time around and put up a good show.
Excited to watch the duo of Kane Richardson and Adam Milne operate here because the new ball gets swing which would work in the favour of the kiwi pacer Milne whereas the slowness of the pitch in the latter half will help Richardson, who loves to work with his cutters and the slower ones. The two will be able to get the better of the batters with their respective skillset.
*MANCHESTER ORIGINALS PROBABLE XI:*
Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Laurie Evans, Max Holden, Ashton Turner, Paul Walter, Jamie Overton, Usama Mir, Tom Hartley, Joshua Little, Richard Gleeson
Jos Buttler, in imperious form, has torn apart bowling lineups with his clean striking. He has gotten into the nerves of the opposition with his intentful batting vs both pace and spin, impressing his fans and the fans of the Originals. With time, his form would only get better and the Phoenix will be tested against the Boss, the English skipper.
Josh Little, the left arm pacer picked up two in the first game but did not get a chance to bowl otherwise. Even though he was expensive he looked good and would look to carry that momentum forward with a spell to remember. Watch out for this gun from Ireland as Manchester look to earn their first win of the tournament.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR MANCHESTER:*
Highest run getter- Jos Buttler
Highest wicket taker- Josh Little
*FOR BIRMINGHAM:*
Highest run getter- Ben Duckett
Highest wicket taker- Kane Richardson
*FOR THIS GAME:*
Manchester to win and get their first points