Will Smeed hits scintillating first century of the Hundred

Will Smeed hits scintillating first century of The Hundred as he announces himself on the big stage, taking just 49 balls to reach his ton and help Birmingham Phoenix knock over last year’s champions Southern Brave

  • Birmingham Phoenix defeated Southern Brave by 53 runs in The Hundred
  • Will Smeed scored a 49-ball century to help his side to victory at Edgbaston
  • It was the competition’s first century after its inaugural year in 2021
  • Alex Davies top scored for Brave with 33 from 24 balls for last year’s winners

Will Smeed scored the first century of The Hundred as Birmingham Phoenix defeated Southern Brave by 53 runs.

The 20-year-old’s scintillating 101 not out from 50 balls included six sixes and eight fours as he helped his side to 176/4 from their 100 balls, before Spirit fell well short in their chase with Alex Davies top scoring with 33.

Some of the best bowlers in the country, including George Garton, Tymal Mills and Jake Lintott all tried and failed to halt Smeed in his tracks.

Birmingham Phoenix’s Will Smeed hit the first century of The Hundred in its second year

The 20-year-old took just 49 balls to reach his ton against Southern Brave at Edgbaston

Now, the Somerset opener’s fine innings will be forever logged in the history books as last season’s champions were upended at Edgbaston.  

‘I felt a bit scratchy through most of it to be honest, I felt like I missed out on a lot of balls’, Smeed told Sky at the halfway stage.

He was confident his team could defend the total, with Liam Livingstone registering the second highest score of the innings, struggling to 21 from 20 balls on a pitch Smeed was alone in having no troubles with.

He was proved right, with Henry Brookes the star of the bowling, taking five wickets from his 20 balls.

If this was him ‘scratchy’, fans are in for a treat when the batter is feeling more fluent.




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