Bellingham watches ice-cool Root lead Fire chase
Newly reappointed Test captain cruises to match-winning 58 not out with Phoenix investor in stands
Newly reappointed Test captain cruises to match-winning 58 not out with Phoenix investor in stands
Scorer: Thilak Ram
5.25pm: That's your lot from Edgbaston. Thanks for joining us and make sure you hop over to our coverage of the late game at Lord's, starting shortly. See you soon
Kasinathan: "Hats off to Joe Root the All format ICON."
17,125 in at Edgbaston for the men's game. That's a sell-out given the missing stand at midwicket.
Joe Root is player of the match. "That's the game, isn't it? You try and get across the line. That's how we want to play: get it done, be ruthless. [First inns?] They put us under pressure but to bounce back and keep taking wickets [was great]. We did brilliantly. [Fire?] We've got a lot of depth in different areas, a lot of bases covered, a good understanding of how we want to chase down totals. If we can find a way of making Cardiff a very difficult place to come and play, it will go a long way for us."
5.15pm: One English sporting superstar wins the game in front of another. Jude Bellingham was in the stands at Edgbaston but his Phoenix team slide to a seven-wicket loss thanks to a calm, composed, unbeaten half-century by Joe Root, promoted to the top of the order in Matt Short's absence and steering the chase by batting through for 58 not out.
Fire join Rockets with three wins from their first four games, while Phoenix have lost three out of four and are in major trouble already. Clinical performance from Fire, bouncing back after a disappointing defeat at home on Wednesday. Root's 77-run stand with Salt meant it was a straightforward chase, and Cox's cameo removed any real danger. Mahmood's early overstep to give Salt a life was a big moment.
But the Fire won that with the ball and in the field, really. Ravindra, Jansen and Ferguson were all excellent, Cox took two outstanding catches at long-on, and the Phoenix's running was dreadful, with two horror mix-ups prompting run-outs.
Scores are tied. The field comes up for Currie
Root is back on strike with 5 needed off the last 6 balls.
TKC walks in at No. 5, playing his first game of the season. Had a quiet time of it for Somerset in the Blast this year.
JM Cox b Mahmood 20 (20m 14b 3x4 0x6) SR: 142.85
Mahmood to finish his quota. 11 needed off the last 10. Big leg-side boundary to defend.
Wood is done for the day. He's been the pick of the attack.
Newly reappointed Test captain cruises to match-winning 58 not out with Phoenix investor in stands