Jofra Archer took Southern Brave into The Hundred final tonight (August 17), bowling the first-ever 'super five' in the competition's history.
Birmingham Phoenix looked on course to take victory in the Eliminator at The Oval, requiring 30 off their last 20 balls. However, a rash ramp shot from Dan Mousley off Archer's final delivery in the main match broke open an end, with Liam Livingstone on 38 off 25 at the other.
Livingstone managed to smash the final ball of Tymal Mills' penultimate set of five for four, and ensured he faced up to the first ball of the final five from Akeal Hosein with 11 needed to win. Hosein then overstepped, with Livingstone punishing him for six over square, meaning he had conceded eight runs from his first delivery. After a dot ball, Livingstone was then out attempting to win the game with a six, but instead slapping it Laurie Evans in the deep.
With Adam Milne in to join Sean Abbott to get the remaining three runs, he could only manage a single before Abbott snuck a leg bye from the final ball to take the match to the first super set in the competition's history.
In scenes reminiscent of the famous 2019 World Cup final at Lord's, Archer was handed the ball for the crunch set. Livingstone was sent back out to face-up first, and was dealt a rapid delivery. He attempted to crash it behind square for a boundary but picked out Leus du Plooy at backward point, who reacted quickly to take the catch. Jacob Bethell was sent in next, and managed to find the boundary off his first ball, Archer following the left-hander into the leg side.
That was the final boundary of the set, however, as Archer nailed a wide yorker before sending a toe-crusher down to close out the over. The batters snuck a single from the last ball, meaning Southern Brave needed eight off their five balls to win.
In the event, Kieron Pollard and Chris Jordan needed just four off those to knock off the runs. Southern Brave will face Oval Invincibles in the men's final at Lord's tomorrow (August 18).
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
