Birmingham Phoenix vs Trent Rockets The Hundred Predictions - Rockets to roast the Phoenix

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

Simon Lewis 1 hour ago

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Birmingham Phoenix lost five of their eight matches last season.
Trent Rockets have beaten the Birmingham Phoenix in three of their five meetings.
The Rockets made it to the final last season, losing to the Invincibles by 26 runs.

Will Smeed has four scores of 40-plus in his last five knocks (Getty Images)

Birmingham Phoenix vs Trent Rockets Predictions

The Rockets enjoyed a great run to the final last season while the Phoenix battled to make an impact. The Phoenix have home ground advantage for their first match of the season and will hope that their revamped squad will get off to a flying start.

Birmingham Phoenix vs Trent Rockets Predictions
Head-to-Head
Birmingham Phoenix Form
Trent Rockets Form
Team news

Birmingham Phoenix’s Will Smeed has scored 89, 46, 52, 21 & 49 in his last 5 knocks.
Birmingham Phoenix’s Joe Clarke has scores of 56, 31, 23 & 64 in his last 5 innings.
Birmingham Phoenix’s Rehan Ahmed has figures of 3/33, 1/37 & 2/46 in 4 matches.
Trent Rockets’ Dan Mousley has scored 27, 72* & 38* in his last 4 matches.
Trent Rockets’ Tom Banton has scores of 124*, 30 & 39 in his last 7 innings.
Trent Rockets’ Ben Sanderson has taken 4/20, 3/28 & 2/26 in his last 3 matches.

Head-to-Head

Trent Rockets have won three and lost two of their last five matches in The Hundred against the Birmingham Phoenix.

Birmingham Phoenix Form

Birmingham Phoenix have suffered a major setback ahead of their opening game, with captain Jacob Bethell ruled out of the tournament through injury. Donovan Ferreira will now lead the side as they look to improve on a disappointing 2025 campaign, when they failed to progress beyond the league stage.

Phoenix face a tough opening test against a strong Trent Rockets side and will need an immediate response under their new skipper. Joe Clarke was their leading run-scorer last season with 229 runs, and the team will rely on him and Will Smeed to provide a strong start at the top.

Rehan Ahmed’s arrival adds strength to the middle order, where he will be expected to build partnerships with Matthew Montgomery and Mitchell Owen. Laurie Evans and Jordan Thompson give the side further power in the lower middle order.

There have also been major changes to the bowling attack. Mustafizur Rahman and Saqib Mahmood will be key with the new ball, while Usman Tariq’s variations and support from Jordan Thompson, Rehan Ahmed and Evans could prove important through the middle stages.

Trent Rockets Form

Trent Rockets enjoyed a strong 2025 season, reaching the final before falling short against Oval Invincibles. They begin this campaign with a change in leadership, as Sam Billings takes over from David Willey.

The Rockets will take confidence from their two wins over Birmingham Phoenix last season and will be eager to start strongly again. Tom Banton was their leading run-scorer last year with 257 runs and will be important at the top alongside Finn Allen, whose strike rate makes him a dangerous short-format player.

David Willey is expected to play a key role at No. 3, while Tim David and Sam Billings add strength in the middle order. Mitchell Santner, Craig Overton and Lewis Gregory give the side useful lower-order hitting.

The bowling attack has also changed significantly. Mohammad Amir brings X-factor and will be expected to strike early alongside Matt Henry. Willey, who took nine wickets last season, will be important through the middle overs, with Ben Sanderson, Santner, Overton and Gregory offering support.

Team news

Edgbaston usually offers good pace and bounce, giving fast bowlers encouragement while still allowing batters to play confidently through the line. The larger boundaries can also bring spinners into the game. Last season’s average first-innings score was 142, but teams batting first should look closer to 180.

Birmingham Phoenix (possible XI): Donovan Ferreira (c), Will Smeed, Rehan Ahmed, Laurie Evans, Matthew Montgomery, Joe Clarke, Mitchell Owen, Mustafizur Rahman, Jordan Thompson, Saqib Mohamood, Usman Tariq.

Trent Rockets (possible XI): Sam Billings (c), Tom Banton, Finn Allen, David Willey, Tim David, Mitchell Santner, Craig Overton, Lewis Gregory, Ben Sanderson, Mohammad Amir, Matt Henry.