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Birmingham Phoenix (BRM) and the Sunrisers Leeds (SUL) will be on the ground in Birmingham for the 24th match of the ongoing The Hundred tournament. It will be a must-win match for both of the teams, as both of the sides are eager to improve their positions in the points table.
BRM are currently at the bottom position of the points table with only one win in 5 matches, while SUL are currently ranked fifth in the 8-team competition with 3 wins and a couple of defeats in 5 matches. Birmingham and Sunrisers could make forward steps if they could win the upcoming match.
Ahead of the match, BRM, the eighth team in the points table, have four points, the same as the London Spirits. These two teams are ranked seventh and eighth because of their respective net run rates.
The situation is the same for the Sunrisers Leeds, as they are behind the Manchester Super Giants because of the difference in the net run rate, despite having the same number of points, which is 12.
BRM vs SUL Match Preview & Recent Form
From the beginning of The Hundred 2026, Birmingham Phoenix have been struggling to perfroma maintaining a consistency. They secured a four-match losing streak before securing a win. They got their first win against the Trent Rockets in their previous fixture. Against Trent, BRM claimed a 10-run win, which must have boosted the confidence of the players. The match against Leeds will be crucial for the Phoenix as they will hope to continue their hard-earned momentum.
The top order of the Birmingham Phoenix batting order performed well against the Rockets, which helped them go ahead and bag all four points from the match. Joe Clarke and Will Smeed, both of the openers who got half-centuries each, will try to continue their form. Rehan Ahmed scored 448 against the Trent Rockets.
On the other hand, Sunrisers Leeds ' season is so far filled with ups and downs. In their previous match, they went down against MI London by 7 wickets, after winning two matches back-to-back.
The star-studded batting combination with Mitchell Marsh, Ryan Rickelton, Harry Brook, and Zak Crawley is yet to produce an innings as a unit. If they could do so against the Birmingham Phoenix, then they could cut short the opponent’s momentum with ease.
BRM vs SUL Pitch Report Today: How Lord's Cricket Ground Will Play
Edgbaston in Birmingham in The Hundred league is considered one of the batting-friendly grounds across the nations. It is the home ground of the Birmingham Phoenix, where the average score in the league is now around 176. A target around 180 to 185 can prove a bit stiff for the batting second side.
On this ground, more than the fast bowlers, spinners could make the most impact with their variations and control over line and length. As the batters will be in a hurry to score runs at a fast pace, they could simply fall into the trap set by the spinners.
Batting second could be the best choice for both teams, as on this ground, teams batting second have a 61.9% win record while the bat-second teams' win record is only 38.1%.
BRM vs SUL Weather Forecast & Rain Threat at Lord's Cricket Ground
According to AccuWeather, the weather conditions in Birmingham will remain suitable for a high-octane match in the city with clear skies and no threat of rain.
The wind speed will be around 10 km/h; players can enjoy a nice breeze during the match, with a highest temperature around 24 degrees Celsius. Additionally, the air quality there will be fair.
BRM vs SUL Team News & Injury Updates
The injury to Jacob Bethell is the biggest setback for the Birmingham Phoenix. The England star is ruled out of the season entirely. Without the service of Bethell, the team’s batting lacks depth on paper. Mustafizur Rahman is also ruled out of the team because of an injury. Currently, they are relying on the local talents to make a bounce-back in the tournament.
Sunrisers Leeds have no such injury setbacks. Tom Alsop is the only player who is not playing because of an injury. The rest of the team is well packed with multiple international batters, who are well equipped to take on the opposing bowlers under any circumstances.
BRM vs SUL Predicted Playing XIs
Birmingham Phoenix Predicted Playing XI
Will Smeed, Mitchell Owen, Joe Clarke(w), Rehan Ahmed, Laurie Evans, Donovan Ferreira(c), Sean Dickson, Ben Dwarshuis, Chris Wood, Saqib Mahmood, Usman Tariq.
Bench: LJ Evans, Jacob Bethell, Ethan Brookes, Scott Currie, JA Thompson, Mustafizur Rahman, M Montgomery, TG Helm
Sunrisers Leeds Predicted Playing XI
Mitchell Marsh, Ryan Rickelton(w), Zak Crawley(c), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Matthew Revis, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Nathan Ellis, Reece Topley, Abrar Ahmed.
Bench: TP Alsop, Thomas Lawes, Benny Howell, EG Barnard, LA Patterson-White, CW Allison
BRM vs SUL: Key Player Battles to Watch
Joe Clarke vs Nathan Ellis
Joe Clarke was one of the batters who scored a half-century for the Phoenix in the previous match. He will have to play in a watchful manner if he faces the proven bowler Nathan Ellis.
Rehan Ahmed vs Abrar Ahmed
Both are spinners, but Rehan has more batting credentials. Pakistan international Abrar Ahmed will have to take his wicket as early as possible.
Mitchell Marsh vs Ben Dwarshuis
Mitchell Marsh is one of the in-form batters in the league who will have to face a challenge from the experienced Aussie fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis.
Players to Watch
Birmingham Phoenix
Joe Clarke, Rehan Ahmed, Ben Dwarshuis.
Sunrisers Leeds
Nathan Ellis, Abrar Ahmed, Mitchell Marsh.
Are Sunrisers Leeds the favourites to win?
- Sunrisers Leeds have displayed more consistency than the Birmingham Phoenix so far in the tournament.
- Sunrisers Leeds have firepower in their batting compared to most of the teams in this season’s The Hundred league.
- Mitchell Marsh is the biggest strength for Leeds, as he can singlehandedly take a game away from the Birmingham Phoenix.
- It is the batting depth of Leeds that makes them superior to win the match. Ryan Rickelton, Ben Duckett, and Harry Brook are all capable of scoring big runs.
- Sunrisers Leeds claimed their first win in their previous match, which will be a major boost for them before the match against Birmingham Phoenix.
