The Hundred heads to Birmingham on Sunday, 17 August 2025, as Birmingham Phoenix welcome London Spirit to Edgbaston for match 18 of the 2025 men’s competition. The action starts at 6:00 pm BST (10:30 pm IST) under clear skies and a forecast temperature around 24 °C. Both sides have endured mixed starts to their campaigns: Phoenix sit near the foot of the table after a solitary win, while Spirit have split their four matches and sit mid‑table. With passionate home fans and a fast track at Edgbaston, this clash promises a thrilling evening of 100‑ball cricket.
Form Guide
Birmingham Phoenix Men
Phoenix’s 2025 season has been stop–start. Liam Livingstone’s men began with two defeats but bounced back to beat Oval Invincibles. Hopes of a revival were dented when they lost to Northern Superchargers by 36 runs and now sit seventh. Their batting has been inconsistent despite the presence of explosive hitters, and they’ve struggled to take wickets in the powerplay. A return to Edgbaston offers a chance to reset, but Phoenix must find rhythm quickly to avoid falling further behind.
- Two defeats to start the tournament followed by a single win against Oval Invincibles.
- Suffered a heavy 36‑run loss to Northern Superchargers in their most recent fixture.
- Currently seventh on the table with one win from four matches.
London Spirit Men
Spirit have had an up‑and‑down campaign of their own. Kane Williamson’s side lost to Oval Invincibles in their opener but responded by beating Welsh Fire. They then slipped against Manchester Originals before bouncing back with another win. The batting line‑up is stacked with talent – David Warner, Ollie Pope and Ashton Turner complement the class of Williamson – and left‑arm quicks Luke Wood and Dan Worrall provide control with the ball. Spirit will travel to Birmingham with confidence but must be wary of Edgbaston’s partisan crowd.
- Record stands at two wins and two losses after four matches.
- Started with a defeat to Oval Invincibles before beating Welsh Fire and splitting their next two games.
- Have shown depth in both batting and bowling, with Williamson anchoring the innings and Luke Wood providing new‑ball wickets.
Key Players
Birmingham Phoenix Men
- Liam Livingstone – The Phoenix captain has been their standout batter, scoring 166 runs in four innings at an average of 55.33 and strike‑rate of 155.14. His clean hitting and ability to clear the ropes make him a key fantasy pick.
- Ben Duckett – The left‑hander adds stability at the top and can rotate strike before accelerating; his form will be crucial against Spirit’s quality seam attack.
- Benny Howell – An experienced all‑rounder, Howell has taken five wickets in four matches at an average of 19.40 and strike rate of 14. His cutters and variations could be decisive on a good batting wicket.
London Spirit Men
- Kane Williamson – The New Zealand maestro leads Spirit’s batting with his ability to read situations and manoeuvre the field. His calmness will be invaluable in a hostile away environment.
- David Warner – The explosive opener has the power to exploit the powerplay and take the game away early; Edgbaston’s even bounce should suit his attacking style.
- Luke Wood – The left‑arm seamer swings the new ball and has been economical throughout the tournament. Early wickets will be vital against Phoenix’s dangerous top order.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Edgbaston is traditionally a high‑scoring venue in the Hundred. The pitch offers good bounce and pace for stroke makers, though new‑ball bowlers can find movement and nip during the first 25 balls. Chasing has often been preferred here because the surface tends to stay true and scoreboard pressure can be significant. Expect totals around 150 to be competitive. Weather on match day is forecast to be clear and warm at around 24.3 °C, with little chance of rain – perfect conditions for evening cricket.
Birmingham Phoenix Men v London Spirit Men – Prediction
Despite playing at home, Birmingham Phoenix enter this fixture as slight underdogs. They have struggled for consistency and sit seventh, whereas London Spirit have shown resilience and balance. Phoenix still boast match‑winners in Livingstone and Duckett, and their record against Spirit is excellent – Phoenix have won all four previous meetings. However, Spirit’s deeper batting line‑up, quality spin and in‑form pacers give them the edge. If Spirit bowlers can contain Livingstone early, expect the visitors to hand Phoenix another defeat.
Dream 11 Fantasy Picks
- Liam Livingstone – Phoenix’s talismanic captain has been prolific with bat and offers handy spin options, making him an ideal captain choice in fantasy teams.
- Kane Williamson – The Spirit skipper’s consistency and ability to pace an innings provide steady fantasy points through runs and bonuses for strike rotation.
- Benny Howell – Offers points with both bat and ball; his variations are effective at Edgbaston and he is in wicket‑taking form.
Both teams will relish playing in front of a packed Edgbaston on a summer evening. Phoenix need a win to revive their campaign, while Spirit will look to climb into the top three. Whichever side adapts quickest to the conditions and handles the pressure of the chase is likely to prevail. Cricket fans can expect a hard‑fought contest with fireworks from some of the world’s finest short‑format players.
