Birmingham Phoenix Men all-rounder Jordan Thompson admitted that the two-run defeat to MI London in the Phoenix’s final showing of the 2026 Hundred ‘summed up’ how their competition has panned out.
Chasing 158 for victory, the Phoenix required five from the final four balls of Trent Boult’s last set, but they ultimately came up short and ended the campaign bottom of the Men’s group.
Thompson, who was 23 not out at the end having put on 41 from the final 20 balls with Rehan Ahmed, made a positive impact having come into the side in the latter stages of the campaign but was left disappointed that they could not sign off this term with a success.
“It sums up our season really, just not quite getting over the line,” Thompson said. “It’s probably the closest game we’ve had and it either goes your way or it doesn’t.
“You just wanted a little nick or a big shot at the end and we’re done, but it’s the way it is.
“We felt confident chasing 158. Even chasing 170 against SunRisers Leeds the other day…we know it’s a good pitch. To be fair, you see the quality of their bowlers and we were hitting away from the short boundary towards the end - that was the difference.”
Joe Weatherley (42 from 31 balls) and Sean Dickson (23 from 17 balls) revived the Phoenix’s chase after they had been reduced to 23/3 earlier in their innings. They laid on the platform for Thompson and Rehan to have a go at the end.
Thompson said: “I thought Weathers and Dicko batted really well. It was a matter of rebuilding at that stage and they took it on really well. They were hitting good shots which were flying over the boundary.
“It got us in a position to win the game, and we still needed to go. We got some away towards the end but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.
“Myself and Rehan had a bit of freedom, you’ve got to go and try and finish it in style, but unfortunately we couldn’t quite do it although we had some fun along the way.”
Attentions now turn, in the long-term, to the 2027 Hundred - and there is a wholesale acceptance that performances and results and the position in the table must all be improved upon after a campaign which was not what any playing or coaching staff had hoped for.
“There is no point looking back now and feeling sorry for ourselves,” Thompson added. “We know we’ve been poor throughout the competition and now is the time to reflect and see what we can do next year.”
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