Thompson reflects on Phoenix debut

Jordan Thompson was pleased to have contributed to Birmingham Phoenix Men's efforts as they came up short in their Hundred clash with SunRisers Leeds at Edgbaston on Friday night.

2026-08-07T22:10+01:00

All-rounder Thompson was playing for the Phoenix for the first time and bowled his full allocation of 20 balls as well as claiming the wicket of SunRisers captain Zak Crawley. He also hit 25 not out with the bat, including two huge sixes.

While things didn't go to plan over the course of the evening for the Phoenix as a collective, Thompson was satisfied that, having been given his opportunity, he could chip in with runs and wickets.

"It was nice to get out here and to play at my home ground," Thompson said. "It was a tough game, but obviously to put in an individual performance and show what I can do is always nice, although it's been a frustrating tournament and we've not got over the line again.

"I think we were in the game at the halfway point, you look at the scores that have been here this year.

"I know from playing here in the Blast as well that it can be a tough one to bowl on. We thought anything below 190 was a good effort, but we lost early wickets, which is always tough.

"Chasing is hard, there is scoreboard pressure.

"The Hundred gets you as well - those balls go down very quickly. We obviously lost our wickets and that's hard, when trying to win, to get going."

The Phoenix Men have now bowed out of the competition having lost their fifth match of the campaign against SunRisers, but there remain matches with London Spirit on Sunday and MI London at Edgbaston next Wednesday still to fulfil.

Thompson hopes to finish as high as possible in the table, insisting that the Phoenix will continue to give their all and, having praised the supporters who packed out Edgbaston on Friday night, he spoke of how much he enjoyed the chance to try and put on a show.

"You want to prove a point and try and get as high in the table as you can," Thompson added. "It's all we can do now, play for a bit of pride. The fans will be back here on Wednesday night and hopefully we can put on a show to finish the season.

"Edgbaston was nice and loud tonight. We got a few boundaries away and it is always fun coming here. It was good to go out there and hit a few sixes and contribute.

"Being at Edgbaston has been nice. It's always nice being at home, there is not as much travelling around. It has been my first year here as a Warwickshire player and obviously at the Phoenix as well and it's been really good."