Phoenix taking some consolation from win

BIRMINGHAM Phoenix batter Joe Clarke admitted it was “nice to contribute to a win” after his side produced a polished display to thrash Manchester Originals by seven wickets at Emirates Old Trafford.

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The Phoenix have struggled for consistency in the tournament, and their defeat to Welsh Fire at Edgbaston on Friday ended any hope of qualifying for the knockout phase of The Hundred, but a disciplined performance in the field and a clinical partnership of 72 from 45 balls between Ben Duckett (49 not out from 38) and Clarke (40 from 21) delivered a consolation victory.

Set just 110 to win, Will Smeed nicked off to Sonny Baker for 13 but it was plain sailing thereafter, Clarke announcing his arrival with three consecutive boundaries off his Notts teammate Josh Tongue before dispatching Ish Sodhi for a slog-swept six.