Will Smeed ton sends a menacing message to Birmingham Phoenix's rivals

Will Smeed was pleased to pick up where Birmingham Phoenix left off at Edgbaston as they posted their first Hundred win of the 2022 campaign.

Southern Brave, the side who broke Phoenix hearts in the Lord's final last August, were convincingly put to the sword thanks in no small part to Smeed's mesmeric ton, of which the strike rate was north of 200.

The Somerset lad, who broke into the team and announced himself last year with a string of impressive knocks, anchored the Phoenix innings after Brave won the toss and put them in, helping the hosts on their way to a daunting 174 total.

The Phoenix bowling unit made mincemeat of the Brave's - on paper - top drawer top order. Smeed was very happy to share the limelight with Brummie Henry Brookes, who claimed 5-25 and two catches on his Hundred debut.

Aussie Kane Richardson took a mightily impressive three-for too, skittling the tail with unplayable yorkers to wrap up a cosy 53-run victory. The Phoenix are back on the road again this weekend at Welsh Fire, but Edgbaston remains an imposing fortress for any side.

"We didn't lose a game here last year so it is nice to keep that going," Smeed said. "My role is just to try and smack it at the top. We didn't get off to a flier but I just kept going and got us to a decent total. It felt like we were about par so we knew that if we bowled well and fielded well we'd win in the game."

In any other match situation, Brookes probably would've walked away with the 'Match Hero' cap and medal that Smeed himself donned, as the Phoenix players headed back out onto the boundary to sign autographs and pose for photos with fans post-match.

His superb figures including the big wicket of Quinton De Kock, who was caught and bowled, but Smeed's