The Hundred 2024: Teams confirmed for playoffs

Birmingham Phoenix secured their spot in The Hundred Eliminator against Southern Brave at The Kia Oval on Saturday following a commanding nine-wicket victory over Manchester Originals.

Moeen Ali's team triumphed in a shortened 30-ball-per-side match at Edgbaston, clinching the crucial point they needed after rain delayed the start.

Chasing a modest target of 42, Phoenix made quick work of the pursuit. Jamie Smith set the tone early, smashing Fazalhaq Farooqi for two sixes in the first five balls.

Despite a quieter second five balls from Farooqi, Ben Duckett ignited the chase by launching Tom Aspinwall's first delivery for six, followed by three more boundaries in the next four balls, all while heavy rain fell.

The umpires, determined to see the game to completion, did not call for a halt. Smith (14) was eventually caught by Sikandar Raza off Scott Currie at cover, but Duckett (22*) and Moeen (6*) calmly finished the job, with Moeen sealing the victory with a six over fine-leg.

Earlier, Birmingham Phoenix opted to bowl first and struck immediately. Kiwi pacer Adam Milne dismissed Matthew Hurst with the second legal delivery, with Liam Livingstone taking a sharp catch at mid-on.

Tim Southee, Milne’s fellow New Zealander, bowled the second set and was struck for a six by Phil Salt, who, along with Max Holden, took Originals to 15 for 1 by the end of the powerplay.

At the halfway mark, Originals were struggling at 22 for 2. Salt (12) mistimed a shot off Milne, handing Livingstone his second catch. Sean Abbott then dismissed Paul Walter (1), caught at deep cover, reducing the Originals to 24 for 3. Holden (15) managed another boundary off Southee but was soon caught by Livingstone at mid-off, giving him his third catch of the match.

Chris Wood bowled the final set, conceding just three runs and taking the wicket of Raza, caught by Jacob Bethell at deep midwicket, as the Originals finished on 41 for 5, managing just one six in their innings.

Phoenix’s successful chase of 42 secured their trip to South London, ensuring Andrew Flintoff’s first season as Northern Superchargers Head Coach ended with a fourth-place finish.

The winner of the Eliminator will face Oval Invincibles, who head straight to Lord's final after finishing top of the table.