Liam Livingstone returned to torment his former team, hammering a blistering 66 from just 30 balls to propel London Spirit to a seven-wicket victory over Birmingham Phoenix and snap a five-year winless streak at Lord’s.
Both sides, stranded at the bottom of the Hundred table, came in desperate for a lifeline. Livingstone, now Spirit captain, seized control early, launching a relentless assault on the team he once led.
Phoenix’s innings revolved around Joe Clarke’s 73. The tournament’s second-highest run-scorer stood tall as wickets tumbled around him. Mitchell Owen, Joe Weatherley, and Laurie Evans all fell cheaply, squeezed by the precision of Spirit’s spinners James Coles and Mason Crane.
Momentum shifted when Sean Dickson joined Clarke. Their 92-run partnership off just 47 balls breathed life into Phoenix’s innings. But debutant Henry Crocombe struck with his first delivery, removing Clarke, caught by Livingstone, no less. That wicket changed everything, the Phoenix captain undone by his predecessor.
Donovan Ferreira’s late fireworks nudged Phoenix to 162 for 4. The total looked competitive, but Livingstone had other plans.
Livingstone and Brevis Rewrite the Spirit Record Books
Spirit’s chase began in chaos. Jonny Bairstow blazed 6, 4, then perished on his third ball. Lhuan-dre Pretorius soon followed, and Phoenix sensed an opening.
Livingstone responded with a masterclass in controlled aggression. Facing his old teammates, he tore into the attack, reaching fifty in just 21 balls and launching a 104-metre six that sent the Lord’s crowd into a frenzy. His intent was unmistakable.
At the other end, Dewald Brevis showcased his own power. Together, they built a partnership for the ages: 103 runs, the highest for Spirit in T20s, eclipsing the previous mark of 96. Phoenix’s resistance crumbled under the onslaught.
Usman Tariq bowled with discipline, conceding just 13 runs from 20 balls, but even he couldn’t halt the charge. Livingstone and Brevis played him out, then dismantled the rest, reducing the equation to a run a ball with 45 deliveries left. The tension evaporated.
Brevis finished unbeaten on 55 from 31 balls, sealing victory in style. The partnership not only broke Phoenix’s hold over Spirit, a rivalry Phoenix had dominated since the Hundred’s inception, but also rewrote the Spirit record books.
Phoenix Collapse Leaves Them Rock Bottom
Phoenix’s defeat was their sixth in seven matches, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table and their season in ruins. For Spirit, the win brought overdue relief, though it arrived too late to salvage their campaign.
Livingstone, named Match Hero, captured the mood: “We felt like it was a decent wicket and they were under par. I love batting with Brev. He’s a tremendous talent and he hits it as hard as anyone in the world.”
Relief swept through Lord’s. Spirit had finally broken their home curse, led by a captain who dismantled his former side with ruthless intent.
As the Hundred enters its final week, the standings are starting to settle. For Birmingham Phoenix, the outlook grows bleaker by the day.
Key Match Stats
| Team | Score | Top Scorer (Runs/Balls) | Notable Partnership | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Phoenix | 162/4 (100) | Joe Clarke 73 (48) | Clarke-Dickson 92 | Lost by 7 wickets |
| London Spirit | 166/3 (82) | Livingstone 66 (30) | Livingstone-Brevis 103 | Won (18 balls left) |
Livingstone’s onslaught not only crushed Phoenix’s hopes but also left a mark on Spirit’s history, delivering a night Lord’s will remember, and one Phoenix will want to erase.
