The first batter to hit Century in The Hundred
Will Smeed smashed a brilliant century to become the First batter to hit Century in The Hundred as Birmingham Phoenix edged defending champions Southern Brave by 53 runs at Edgbaston.
On NHS Heroes Night in Birmingham, where workers and the support staff were invited as a part to say thank you to them their great work, the 20-year-old Smeed entertained the whole crowd after playing an unbeaten knock of 101 in just 50 deliveries to guide his side to 176 for four.
Birmingham bowlers then finished the task and bowled out the Southern Brave for just 123 to claim a 53-run victory.
The star in the bowling department for Birmingham Phoenix was Henry Brooks, who bagged a fifer. Apart from him, Australia’s Kane Richardson grabbed 3 wickets, while Tom Helm and Benny Howell took a wicket each.
After becoming the first batter to hit ton in the hundred, the young Smeed expressed his views on his play and called it a ‘great performance’.
“Yeah obviously was a great feeling. Edgbaston is always known for its crowd. It is a learning lesson that you don’t need to hit every ball out of the park. T20s are a strange format. I think this was a great performance. Hopefully, we can get on a roll from here,” said Smeed in the post-match presentation ceremony.
Talking about the game, batting first, Birmingham Phoenix started off in a destructive manner with both Will Smeed and Chris Benjamin smashing boundaries all the way Benjamin, however, got out after scoring 17 off 12. Smeed on the other hand, continued to play aggressively.
Players came and go, but Smeed remained at the crease till very end and only returned to the dressing room after registering an unbeaten century and guiding his side to good total of 176.
In reply, the team consists of some world class players like Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis and Tim David only able to score 123 on board and lost the game by 53 runs.
