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Batting Quartet Powers Northern Superchargers to Top Spot in The Hundred 2025
Northern Superchargers’ Batting Dominance
The Northern Superchargers produced a sensational batting display to climb to the top of the table in The Hundred 2025, defeating Birmingham Phoenix by 36 runs. A powerful batting performance, led by Dawid Malan (58 off 34), Zak Crawley (45 off 23), *Harry Brook (31 off 14)**, and Michael Pepper (28 off 21), helped them pile up an imposing first-innings total of 193/5 – one of the highest scores of the season so far.
The quartet combined to strike 19 boundaries and 5 sixes, laying a solid foundation and then accelerating brilliantly in the middle overs to put Phoenix under enormous pressure.
Superchargers Off to a Flying Start
Trent Boult’s opening set for Birmingham Phoenix was exceptional, conceding just one run in five balls. However, that early control evaporated quickly as Crawley and Malan launched a counterattack. Crawley smashed Boult, Tim Southee, and Adam Milne to take the Superchargers to 57/0 at the end of the PowerPlay.
Malan Anchors, Brook Finishes in Style
After Crawley’s dismissal to Liam Livingstone’s spin, Malan took charge, bringing up a brisk half-century in just 28 deliveries, hitting Chris Wood and Livingstone for a flurry of boundaries. Pepper also contributed with quick runs before departing late in the innings.
It was Harry Brook who gave the final push, smashing 31 off just 14 deliveries, ensuring Northern Superchargers came close to the 200-run mark. Boult redeemed himself in the final set with a wicket and only six runs conceded, but the damage had already been done with Superchargers finishing on 193/5 in 100 balls.
(Related reading: The Hundred 2025 Schedule and Results – stay updated with all fixtures and team standings.)
Phoenix’s Chase Falters Despite Middle-Order Resistance
Chasing a daunting target, Birmingham Phoenix were rocked early as Will Smeed, Ben Duckett, and Joe Clarke all fell inside the PowerPlay, leaving them reeling at 27/3.
Bethell and Livingstone’s Counterattack
Youngster Jacob Bethell and star all-rounder Liam Livingstone tried to resurrect the innings. Their 63-run partnership gave Phoenix hope, particularly when Bethell hammered Mitchell Santner for three consecutive sixes, bringing the chase alive. At the halfway stage, Phoenix were 90/3, still in contention.
But Adil Rashid’s brilliance turned the game around. The leg-spinner deceived Bethell with a googly, taking a stunning diving catch himself to end the partnership. Livingstone tried to keep the scoreboard ticking but perished to Rashid in the same set after hitting a six, effectively ending Phoenix’s chances.
Lower-Order Collapse Seals Phoenix’s Fate
Following Livingstone’s dismissal for 46, Phoenix crumbled under pressure. Tom Lawes struck twice in quick succession, while Matthew Potts (3/26) and Jacob Duffy bowled tight sets to close out the innings. Phoenix finished at 157/9, falling short by 36 runs.
Match Highlights and Key Performers
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Dawid Malan: 58 off 34, anchoring the innings with elegance and aggression.
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Zak Crawley: 45 off 23, explosive PowerPlay hitting.
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Harry Brook: 31* off 14, late-innings fireworks.
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Adil Rashid: 2/26 and a match-changing catch.
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Matthew Potts: 3/26, sealing the win with key wickets.
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Jacob Bethell: 48 off 29, fearless counterattack.
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Liam Livingstone: 46 off 33, but couldn’t see the chase through.
Brief Scores
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Northern Superchargers: 193/5 in 100 balls (Malan 58, Crawley 45, Brook 31*; Wood 2-34)
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Birmingham Phoenix: 157/9 in 100 balls (Bethell 48, Livingstone 46; Potts 3-26, Rashid 2-26, Lawes 2-23)
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Result: Northern Superchargers won by 36 runs
What This Win Means
The victory not only propels the Superchargers to the top of The Hundred 2025 table, but also underlines the strength of their batting core and bowling depth. For Birmingham Phoenix, despite flashes of brilliance from Bethell and Livingstone, their inconsistent top order remains a concern heading into the second half of the tournament.
For complete match details and player stats, visit the official The Hundred website.
