BIRMINGHAM — Liam Livingstone delivered a match-winning performance for Birmingham Phoenix in a thrilling encounter against Oval Invincibles, smashing an unbeaten 94 off just 41 balls to chase down a daunting target of 186. The explosive innings came after Livingstone was reportedly sledged by an Invincibles player, who allegedly called him a "fat slob"—a remark that only seemed to fuel his fire.
The Hundred clash at Edgbaston was a rollercoaster from start to finish, with Livingstone stealing the show in the chase. His blistering knock included 8 sixes and 6 fours, dismantling a star-studded Invincibles attack featuring Rashid Khan, Sunil Narine, and Spencer Johnson. The Phoenix, who looked out of the contest at 50/3, rode on Livingstone's heroics to secure a stunning 5-wicket victory with 5 balls to spare.
The Sledge That Backfired
According to on-field microphones, the incident occurred during the 50th ball of the Phoenix innings when Livingstone was on 30. An Invincibles fielder—later revealed to be wicketkeeper Jordan Cox—reportedly muttered the insult within earshot. Livingstone responded by smashing the next three deliveries for six, six, and four off Rashid Khan.
Post-match, Livingstone played down the exchange but admitted it gave him extra motivation: "I won’t repeat what was said, but sometimes those things give you a little kick. It’s part of the game, and I just channeled it into my batting."
Livingstone vs. Rashid: The Decisive Duel
The turning point came in the 75th ball set when Livingstone took on Rashid Khan, the world’s No. 1 T20 bowler. The Englishman’s assault included:
- A 102-meter six over long-on—the biggest of the tournament so far
- A reverse-swept boundary over short third
- A straight drive that shattered the sponsor’s LED board at the pavilion end
Rashid, who had conceded just 18 runs in his first 15 balls, was taken for 28 in his final 5 deliveries by Livingstone alone. The Afghan star finished with uncharacteristic figures of 1/46—his most expensive spell in The Hundred.
By the Numbers: Livingstone’s Dominance
The stats underline Livingstone’s sheer dominance:
- Strike rate of 229.26—the highest in a 50+ score this season
- 6 sixes came off Rashid and Narine (the two most economical bowlers in the competition)
- 73% of his runs (69) came in boundaries
Captain’s Praise and Opposition Reaction
Phoenix skipper Moeen Ali hailed Livingstone’s innings as "one of the best I’ve seen in white-ball cricket—to do that against Rashid and Narine was special." Meanwhile, Oval Invincibles coach Tom Moody conceded his team had no answers: "We threw everything at him—pace, spin, width, length—but he was in that rare zone where nothing works."
The match also featured a bizarre moment when Livingstone’s powerful straight drive broke the LED screen on the boundary, causing a 7-minute delay. Ground staff had to cover the exposed wiring with makeshift padding before play could resume.
What This Means for the Tournament
The victory propels Birmingham Phoenix to second in the standings, while Oval Invincibles slip to fourth. More importantly, Livingstone’s form is a warning to other teams—the 30-year-old now leads the tournament in:
- Most sixes (14)
- Highest strike rate (189.47)
- Fastest fifty (18 balls)
With the knockout stages approaching, Livingstone’s resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time for Phoenix. As for the "fat slob" comment? It’s already become part of Hundred folklore—a sledge that spectacularly backfired and produced one of the competition’s most memorable innings.
Speaking to Sky Sports post-match, Livingstone had the final word with a grin: "I might need to thank Jordan [Cox] later—that was the spark I needed. Though I’ll probably skip the celebratory burgers tonight just to be safe."