Captain Liam Livingstone cracked a rapid half-century to steer the Birmingham Phoenix towards an unlikely victory over defending champions the Oval Invincibles at Edgbaston.
The hosts, who at one stage needed 61 runs from 24 balls, reached the 181-run target with two balls to spare courtesy of an unbeaten 69 (27) from Livingstone that featured seven boundaries and five sixes. He received support from opener Will Smeed, who hit a 29-ball 51.
It was the third-highest successful run chase in Hundred history, securing the Phoenix their first victory of the season.
Australia vs South Africa T20I & ODI Series | Watch every ball LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1 >
“We needed it, it’s been a bit of a disappointing start to the tournament,” said Livingstone, later named player of the match.
“It’s nice to lead from the front and hopefully that gives the boys a bit of momentum and a bit of confidence.
“I was trying to be there at the end, it’s something I haven’t done a lot of in my career, so it was in the back of my mind, but we still needed to take some risks.
“It’s massive. There’s no hiding in this competition. If you lose a couple of games, you’re right up against it. Hopefully this gives us a bit of confidence going forward, it’s an incredible win from where we were. It’s nice to be on the board and get that first win.”
Livingstone and Invincibles all-rounder Tom Curran exchanged a few barbs throughout the contest, which culminated in the Phoenix skipper thumping three straight boundaries against his fired-up rival at the death. Livingstone couldn’t resist giving Curran some words of advice after clobbering him over cow corner.
“I have no idea why Tom started to spray me,” Livingstone told BBC Two.
“He is one of my good friends and he called me a fat slob or something so I thought, ‘Let’s hope you don’t go for a few if you come back at the death.’
“He did so I’m kind of happy with that.”
In December 2023, Curran was banned by the Big Bash League for four matches after “attempted intimidation of an umpire” during warm-ups, running towards the match official before deviating at the last moment.
Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan finished with 0-59 from 20 balls, the most-expensive bowling figures in Hundred history, while Australian seamer Jason Behrendorff produced an economical 15-ball spell that only leaked 14 runs.
Livingstone, who struck five consecutive boundaries against Khan, told Sky Sports: “I have confidence in having played him before.
“I have a decent record against Rash by stepping across and slogging him.
“I tried to play a couple of balls with a straight bat. I am safer trying to slog him.”
Earlier, South Africa’s slugger Donovan Ferreira smacked a 29-ball 63 as the Invincibles posted 8-180.
During the women’s match, England all-rounder Alice Capsey struck a 29-ball 52 to help the Invincibles seal a 22-run victory over the Phoenix. Former Australian captain Meg Lanning contributed a stylish 36 for the Invincibles, while Phoenix captain Ellyse Perry hit 29 during the run chase.
On Thursday morning AEST, the Southern Brave will host the Northern Superchargers in Southampton and the Welsh Fire will host the Manchester Originals in Cardiff.