Northern Superchargers v Birmingham Phoenix The Hundred Tips: Phoenix firing from the off

• Phoenix bowling smarts key

• Rain expected

• Openers value in reduced contest

Northern Superchargers v Birmingham Phoenix
Thursday 3 August, 18:30
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Northern Superchargers v Birmingham Phoenix team news

An England Ashes regular is yet to make an appearance in The Hundred. Ben Stokes is on holiday and definitely won't play but Harry Brook might.

Adam Hose looks most likely to get a gig in the absence of Stokes. Ollie Robinson and Reece Topley are potential starters with the ball fitness permitting. If neither make it Matt Potts should play.

Possible XI: Banton, Lyth, Short, Brook, Hose, Wiese, Parnell, Carse, Rashid, Parkinson,Potts

The Phoenix have Ben Duckett with them and he said he is 'looking forward to starting tomorrow' on an Instagram post. Duckett forms a potentially explosive partnership with Will Smeed.

It would be fair to assume Moeen Ali is not fit. 22-year-old Dan Mousley could come in to the middle order. Phoenix need to make the most of Shadab Khan, who departs on August 14.

Possible XI: Smeed, Duckett, Livingstone, Shadab, Mousley, Hammond, Smith, Woakes, Howell, Milne, Richardson

Northern Superchargers v Birmingham Phoenix pitch report

The Headingley pitch is one of the best for batting in the tournament. There have only been two scores of more than 190 in the the entire tournament and both were at this ground. And both were over 200. The 140 line is busted 75% of the time and 160 38%. We might be able to back the latter at 3.002/1 on innings runs. Unfortunately the weather might not play ball with rain expected.

Northern Superchargers v Birmingham Phoenix match odds

Bowling nous looks likely to be crucial in this match with a flat track and Phoenix have the edge. On economy rates for probable five bowlers they have the best ranking in the competition with Superchargers in fifth.

The match odds have Phoenix at 1.8810/11 favourites with Superchargers at 2.1011/10. Phoenix are well-equipped in a reduced-ball smash, though, with terrific hitters.

Northern Superchargers v Birmingham Phoenix player bets

Brook and Liam Livingstone have been boosted to 11/43.75 and 3/14.00 respectively for top Superchargers and Phoenix bats. Livingstone hit 92 off 40 on the ground against Superchargers in 2021. Lyth and Smeed at 7/24.50 and 16/54.20 look toppy as openers with weather around.