Southern Brave win The Hundred final after fireworks from Stirling and Whiteley

Two destructive innings' from Paul Stirling and Ross Whiteley helped Southern Brave beat Birmingham Phoenix to win the inaugural men's Hundred in the show-piece final at Lord's.

Stirling smacked an excellent 61 up front for the Brave, before Whiteley closed out the innings with an explosive 44 not out.

After losing the toss and getting put into bat first, the dangerous Quinton de Kock fell early, getting bounced out by Adam Milne for just seven.

Captain James Vince also went cheaply, getting bowled by Imran Tahir for four to leave the Brave 35-2.

However, Ireland star Stirling was at his destructive best on a ground he has dominated for Middlesex over the years.

Stirling scored 61 off just 36 balls and went to his fifty with a massive six of Tahir.

He was well-supported by Alex Davies in a 50-run partnership, with Davies keeping the scoreboard ticking over while Stirling teed off.

Benny Howell eventually dismissed Stirling, getting him caught behind off a bottom edge.

Tim David, making his Hundred debut after being drafted in as a replacement for Colin de Grandhomme, was the next man in and he smacked a quick-fire 15 off 6 before holing out off Liam Livingstone.

Whiteley then saw the Brave through to an impressive first innings score of 168, slamming eight boundaries as he scored 44 not out from just 19 balls.

In response, the Phoenix needed to get off to a flier in the powerplay, but they initially struggled to find the boundary as George Garton and Craig Overton once again started well with the ball.

Garton got David Bedingham caught for 0 after just two balls and Will Smeed also perished for just 2 off 6.

In fact, it took the Phoenix until the 15th ball of their innings to find the boundary, with Moeen Ali striking Garton down the ground for four.

Despite the slow start, Livingstone then got his team right back in the game with a typically destructive knock.

The 28-year-old smashed eight boundaries as he scored 46 off just 19 balls, continuing what has been an outstanding run of form which should see him play a big part for England at the upcoming T20 World Cup.

David, who had earlier taken an excellent catch in the field, managed to send Livingstone on his way with a direct hit run-out from the boundary edge.

Livingstone had been particularly lax with his running and paid the price for it by losing his wicket.

Miles Hammond soon followed, getting caught on the boundary for three, leaving all the pressure of the run chase on Ali's shoulders.

However, Jake Lintott was able to get Ali caught at long-on, capping off what has been an excellent tournament for the Warwickshire spinner.

Chris Jordan and Tymal Mills then closed out the innings expertly to ensure the trophy ended up in their hands.

Widely tipped as the favourites before the tournament started, it was an excellent end to the campaign for the Brave, who bounced back from two straight defeats in their opening games to go on an eight match unbeaten run which culminated in them lifting the trophy.

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