All-round Stoinis, Wood end Brave's winless run

Southern Brave finally ended their winless run in the 2026 Men's Hundred, overcoming Birmingham Phoenix by 12 runs in a low-scoring game at The Rose Bowl in Southampton. On a sluggish pitch, Brave managed 128 for 8, with Marcus Stoinis, David Miller and Tom Abell coming up with useful contributions. Stoinis then completed a fine all-round performance, taking two wickets while conceding only 16 runs from his 20 deliveries. He combined with Luke Wood (3 for 24) to restrict Phoenix to 116 for 9 and deliver Brave's first win in four attempts.

Phoenix looked well placed in the chase after a steady opening stand, but their innings lost direction once wickets began to fall in the middle phase. Will Smeed's dismissal triggered the slide, and Rehan Ahmed and Donovan Ferreira followed in quick succession as the asking rate steadily climbed. From 52 for 1, Phoenix slipped to 65 for 4, handing the initiative back to the hosts.

Laurie Evans and Mitchell Owen tried to steady the innings, but Brave's bowlers refused to allow any momentum to build. Stoinis delivered a decisive spell through the middle, conceding little and removing Evans, before Adil Rashid struck to account for Owen. With the required rate climbing sharply, Phoenix were left with too much to do in the closing stages.

Sean Dickson kept the contest alive with a couple of lusty blows, but Archer's economical late burst ensured the equation remained out of reach. Wood then wrapped up the chase with two wickets at the death, while Rashid chipped in with a sharp run-out, as Brave successfully defended 128 to register their first victory of the campaign.

Earlier, asked to bat, Brave found scoring difficult despite Ben McKinney's early intent. Jamie Smith departed in the opening set, but McKinney counterattacked with a nine-ball 18, striking three boundaries before getting out to Owen. Tom Abell (22 off 19) was the next to fall, having shared a useful 33-run stand with McKinney. The hosts struggled to break free as Phoenix's spinners, led by Usman Tariq and Rehan Ahmed, kept a tight leash through the middle overs. At the halfway mark, Brave had moved to 59 for 3.

The innings finally found some momentum when Stoinis took on Scott Currie with successive sixes, and added 32 for the fourth wicket with Miller. However, just as Brave looked set for a strong finish, Rehan ended Stoinis' brisk 34, triggering another slowdown. Miller struck the only other six of the innings in his 24, but disciplined death bowling from Ben Dwarshuis and Currie ensured Brave did not cross 130, with Luke Wood's six off the penultimate ball providing a late boost.

Brief scores: Southern Brave 129/8 in 100 balls (Marcus Stoinis 34 off 26, David Miller 24 off 21; Rehan Ahmed 3-25, Ben Dwarshuis 2-18) beat Birmingham Phoenix 116/9 in 100 balls (Will Smeed 35 off 28, Sean Dickson 20* off 13; Luke Wood 3-24, Marcus Stoinis 2-16) by 12 runs.