SunRisers Leeds secured a decisive victory that sent Birmingham Phoenix packing from the men’s side of The Hundred, mirroring the fate of the Phoenix women’s squad earlier in the tournament. The triumph propelled SunRisers Leeds up to second place on the league table, thanks to a substantial swing in net run rate, while the Phoenix became the second men’s franchise to be knocked out after London Spirit’s win the previous night. From the outset, the visitors displayed a level of power that the home side could not match.
The opening pair of Mitchell Marsh and Ryan Rickelton set the tone with an aggressive partnership, rattling up 52 runs from just 32 balls. Their on‑field chemistry was evident as Marsh, normally a free‑scoring batsman, chose a more measured approach against Usman Tariq, the lone Phoenix bowler who managed to claim a wicket despite leaking 17 runs in his final five deliveries. Harry Brook’s brief flick of a shot was promptly cut short when Tariq trapped him in front, after which SunRisers’ momentum slowed slightly. Rickelton, who had been left to shepherd the strike, was run out on the 93rd ball of the innings after a commendable 65 off 37 deliveries.
The innings was rescued by two sixes in the final three balls, allowing the visitors to post a total that felt comfortably safe. Birmingham Phoenix’s hopes of climbing into the qualification spots evaporated quickly when England quick Brydon Carse opened the bowling spell with figures of 3‑17, dismissing Mitchell Owen early. Matthew Potts followed with 3‑22, removing Will Smeed and further tightening the pressure.
Carse also claimed Rehan Ahmed for a duck, leaving the Phoenix looking bleak as the powerplay concluded. The latest league tables reflected SunRisers Leeds’ ascent, while the Phoenix found themselves languishing near the bottom. The Hundred squads for the 2026 season were also highlighted, and fans were reminded that they could stream all matches, including the upcoming finals, via NOW. Despite a late‑stage cameo from Joe Clarke and Sean Dickson, who tried to stave off the inevitable, and a couple of late sixes from Jordan Thompson, the SunRisers’ superior attack proved too much.
The Phoenix fell short by 45 runs, a margin that underscored the quality of the Leeds side. Both Carse and Potts, noted for their pace and accuracy, finished with economical three‑wicket hauls, while leg‑spinner Abrar Ahmed kept his economy under one run per ball, further stifling the Phoenix batting line‑up. Speaking to Sky Sports Cricket, SunRisers’ match hero Ryan Rickelton reflected on the win: "It’s getting tight at the top, so it was nice to get a big net run rate win here.
Mitch [Marsh] takes quite an aggressive route up front really early on and he allows me to cruise behind him. I’d much rather play with him than against him! We left about 10 or 20 out there...
but the bowlers are really carrying us through at the moment and hopefully that will continue." The upcoming schedule promises more high‑stakes encounters. On Saturday, August 8, MI London will face Trent Rockets at the Kia Oval (women’s match at 11:00 am, men’s at 2:30 pm), followed by Southern Brave versus Manchester Super Giants at Utilita Bowl (women’s 2:30 pm, men’s 6:00 pm). Sunday, August 9, features SunRisers Leeds against Welsh Fire at Headingley (women’s 11:00 am, men’s 2:30 pm) and London Spirit versus Birmingham Phoenix at Lord’s (women’s 2:30 pm, men’s 6:00 pm). The action continues through the week with fixtures at Trent Bridge, Emirates Old Trafford, Sophia Gardens, and Edgbaston, culminating in the Eliminators on August 14 (reserve day August 15) and the Finals on August 16 (reserve day August 17).
Fans can watch every match of The Hundred up to the finals on Sunday, August 16, with the option to stream on NOW without any contractual obligations. The competition remains a showcase of England’s brightest cricketing talent, and SunRisers Leeds’ dominant performance against Birmingham Phoenix has set the stage for an exciting run‑in to the championship.