Smeed & Brookes shine as Phoenix thrash defending champions Brave
Will Smeed hit the first century of The Hundred as Birmingham Phoenix produced a fine all-round display to defeat reigning champions Southern Brave at Edgbaston.
The 20-year-old's phenomenal innings of 101 not out from just 50 balls helped Phoenix post 176-4.
He smashed six sixes in his knock, reaching the milestone from the penultimate delivery.
Southern Brave's batting was then blown away by 22-year-old paceman Henry Brookes, who took 5-25 as the visitors were bundled out for just 123.
Both sides have now played two games, and won one and lost one each.
Here's what also happened:
Liam Livingstone made a scratchy 21 from 20 balls, unable to find any rhythm as Smeed let loose.
Marcus Stoinis, Jake Lintott, Chris Jordan and James Fuller took one wicket each as Phoenix posted the highest score of the tournament so far.
George Garton went for 43 runs from just 15 balls.
Brave captain James Vince smashed 17 from just five balls before he was bowled by Kane Richardson - the first of three wickets for the Australian.
Alex Davies top-scored with 33 for Southern Brave but they fell way short, all out for just 123.
What's next?
Southern Brave are back at home in Southampton on Friday 12 August as they take on London Spirit.
Birmingham Phoenix make the trip over the bridge to Cardiff to face Welsh Fire on Saturday 13 August.
And the women's competition starts tomorrow, so we're back to double headers from now on! Reigning champions Oval Invincibles play Northern Superchargers on Thursday 11 August at 18:30 BST in the first fixture.
Get yourself clued up on the women's competition by reading our preview here.
Post update
That's almost it from us for today but, fear not, we'll be back tomorrow for the first double-header of his year's Hundred!
It's Oval Invincibles v Northern Superchargers with the men's game kicking things off, coverage begins at 14:30 BST on BBC Two.
The women's tournament then gets under way in the evening. Watch from 18:00 BST on the same channel and there is radio commentary of both games on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 14:50 BST.
'Smeed has become a domestic hero'
Eoin Morgan on Will Smeed, speaking on Sky Sports: "It's a line in the sand for English cricket. He doesn't play any first-class cricket, he is predominantly a T20 cricketer and clearly exceptional in what he does so potentially a new avenue for him is international cricket.
"We've seen in other competitions around the world where domestic franchise tournaments which attract big-name players create domestic heroes. Tonight Will Smeed has become one of them."
Post update
After defeat in their opening game, Birmingham Phoenix are up and running in this year's competition, while for Southern Brave it is a setback after such a commanding performance in the opening match.
London Spirit still lead the way, level on points with Trent Rockets. Both sides have won two from two.
Birmingham Phoenix captain Moeen Ali: "I think we've won all our games here, last year and today. The crowd certainly help us but we've got some good players as well. On a ground like this, we like batting here."
On performances of Smeed and Brookes: "It's awesome because you want to be performing and winning, but if you're bringing through a few youngsters while you're doing that it's great.
"Obviously Will was good for us last year and Brookesy tonight was fantastic. It's great winning but when you get young players doing well, it's great for experienced players because you don't feel that it always has to be you stepping up.
"Henry has had a couple of tough years, everybody knows he can bowl, it's just getting the best out of him, relaxing him and getting him to enjoy his cricket as much as he can.
"There is no pressure on him to win us games, if he does brilliant but if not, he's only going to learn and get better."
Post update
Hero of the match Will Smeed to Sky Sports: "It was obviously a great feeling coming off the the applause but to get the win as well and the atmosphere was awesome, so that's the main thing.
"It was an awesome atmosphere. Edgbaston is known for the crowd and it definitely lived up to its name.
"It's a learning lesson that you don't have to hit every ball out of the middle of the bat. And hopefully the more I play the more I can learn and improve."
Can this be a launching pad for you?:"I don't know. It can be a strange game. It was nice to get the extra few runs as I have been stuck short a few times.
"That was a great team performance. Shout out to Brookesy his spell was epic and I feel like I have stolen this off him a bit. But there will be confidence in the group again and hopefully we can go on a bit of a roll now."
Post update
Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Radio
Look at that sky. It's the nicest I've ever seen Birmingham look!
Post update
The first hundred in The Hundred from Will Smeed - what a knock it was!
Then a five-wicket haul from Henry Brookes. It's been a night to remember for Birmingham Phoenix and with a 20-year-old and a 22-year-old as the stars, the future looks bright!
Post update
Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Radio
Another perfect yorker takes out leg stump.
Birmingham Phoenix have put the perfect game together. It was started off by Will Smeed and then backed up by Henry Brookes.
Birmingham Phoenix win
Mills b Richardson 0 (Brave 123 all out)
Kane Richardson does it again! Another excellent yorker to finish the job.
This time the ball tails in to hit leg stump, it's far too good for Tymal Mills and the Phoenix win by 53 runs.
A thumping win on the back of two magnificent performances from two great young prospects: Will Smeed and Henry Brookes.
Post update
Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Radio
Tymal will be annoyed he's batting 11. He fancies himself as a batter.
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport chief cricket writer at Edgbaston
The perfect yorker!
WICKET
Jordan b Richardson 15 (Brave 123-9)
High class from Kane Richardson!
A brilliant in-swinging yorker. Inch perfect and it is through the batter's defences and hammering into middle stump.
Chris Jordan can only nod his approval as he trudges off.
Brave 119-8
58 runs needed
After being carted for the enormous six by Jordan, Howell quickly recovers and it is back to only singles being conceded.
The game might be up but Chris Jordan clearly wants to go down swinging.
Post update
Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Radio
Chris Jordan is a powerful man.
Brave 114-8
Wow, that is a biggie from Chris Jordan! He has bludgeoned that and it has soared into the stands!
Post update
BBC SportCopyright: BBC Sport
Brave 108-8
69 runs needed
Howell gets through another superb set, just four singles and the wicket from it.
Barring a minor a miracle, this game is over as a contest.
Post update
Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match Special commentator
Jake Lintott is not really the man for the situation. He smiles wryly like a man who knows the game is done.
Live Reporting
Ffion Wynne and Sam Drury
All times stated are UK
-
Liam Livingstone made a scratchy 21 from 20 balls, unable to find any rhythm as Smeed let loose.
-
Marcus Stoinis, Jake Lintott, Chris Jordan and James Fuller took one wicket each as Phoenix posted the highest score of the tournament so far.
-
George Garton went for 43 runs from just 15 balls.
-
Brave captain James Vince smashed 17 from just five balls before he was bowled by Kane Richardson - the first of three wickets for the Australian.
-
Alex Davies top-scored with 33 for Southern Brave but they fell way short, all out for just 123.
BBC SportCopyright: BBC Sport 
Latest PostSmeed & Brookes shine as Phoenix thrash defending champions Brave
Will Smeed hit the first century of The Hundred as Birmingham Phoenix produced a fine all-round display to defeat reigning champions Southern Brave at Edgbaston.
The 20-year-old's phenomenal innings of 101 not out from just 50 balls helped Phoenix post 176-4.
He smashed six sixes in his knock, reaching the milestone from the penultimate delivery.
Southern Brave's batting was then blown away by 22-year-old paceman Henry Brookes, who took 5-25 as the visitors were bundled out for just 123.
Both sides have now played two games, and won one and lost one each.
Here's what also happened:
What's next?
Southern Brave are back at home in Southampton on Friday 12 August as they take on London Spirit.
Birmingham Phoenix make the trip over the bridge to Cardiff to face Welsh Fire on Saturday 13 August.
And the women's competition starts tomorrow, so we're back to double headers from now on! Reigning champions Oval Invincibles play Northern Superchargers on Thursday 11 August at 18:30 BST in the first fixture.
Get yourself clued up on the women's competition by reading our preview here.
Post update
That's almost it from us for today but, fear not, we'll be back tomorrow for the first double-header of his year's Hundred!
It's Oval Invincibles v Northern Superchargers with the men's game kicking things off, coverage begins at 14:30 BST on BBC Two.
The women's tournament then gets under way in the evening. Watch from 18:00 BST on the same channel and there is radio commentary of both games on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 14:50 BST.
'Smeed has become a domestic hero'
Eoin Morgan on Will Smeed, speaking on Sky Sports: "It's a line in the sand for English cricket. He doesn't play any first-class cricket, he is predominantly a T20 cricketer and clearly exceptional in what he does so potentially a new avenue for him is international cricket.
"We've seen in other competitions around the world where domestic franchise tournaments which attract big-name players create domestic heroes. Tonight Will Smeed has become one of them."
Post update
After defeat in their opening game, Birmingham Phoenix are up and running in this year's competition, while for Southern Brave it is a setback after such a commanding performance in the opening match.
London Spirit still lead the way, level on points with Trent Rockets. Both sides have won two from two.
It's early days but here is the table in full.
Post update
Birmingham Phoenix captain Moeen Ali: "I think we've won all our games here, last year and today. The crowd certainly help us but we've got some good players as well. On a ground like this, we like batting here."
On performances of Smeed and Brookes: "It's awesome because you want to be performing and winning, but if you're bringing through a few youngsters while you're doing that it's great.
"Obviously Will was good for us last year and Brookesy tonight was fantastic. It's great winning but when you get young players doing well, it's great for experienced players because you don't feel that it always has to be you stepping up.
"Henry has had a couple of tough years, everybody knows he can bowl, it's just getting the best out of him, relaxing him and getting him to enjoy his cricket as much as he can.
"There is no pressure on him to win us games, if he does brilliant but if not, he's only going to learn and get better."
Post update
Hero of the match Will Smeed to Sky Sports: "It was obviously a great feeling coming off the the applause but to get the win as well and the atmosphere was awesome, so that's the main thing.
"It was an awesome atmosphere. Edgbaston is known for the crowd and it definitely lived up to its name.
"It's a learning lesson that you don't have to hit every ball out of the middle of the bat. And hopefully the more I play the more I can learn and improve."
Can this be a launching pad for you?:"I don't know. It can be a strange game. It was nice to get the extra few runs as I have been stuck short a few times.
"That was a great team performance. Shout out to Brookesy his spell was epic and I feel like I have stolen this off him a bit. But there will be confidence in the group again and hopefully we can go on a bit of a roll now."
Post update
Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Radio
Look at that sky. It's the nicest I've ever seen Birmingham look!
Post update
The first hundred in The Hundred from Will Smeed - what a knock it was!
Then a five-wicket haul from Henry Brookes. It's been a night to remember for Birmingham Phoenix and with a 20-year-old and a 22-year-old as the stars, the future looks bright!
Post update
Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Radio
Another perfect yorker takes out leg stump.
Birmingham Phoenix have put the perfect game together. It was started off by Will Smeed and then backed up by Henry Brookes.
Birmingham Phoenix win
Mills b Richardson 0 (Brave 123 all out)
Kane Richardson does it again! Another excellent yorker to finish the job.
This time the ball tails in to hit leg stump, it's far too good for Tymal Mills and the Phoenix win by 53 runs.
A thumping win on the back of two magnificent performances from two great young prospects: Will Smeed and Henry Brookes.
Post update
Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Radio
Tymal will be annoyed he's batting 11. He fancies himself as a batter.
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport chief cricket writer at Edgbaston
The perfect yorker!
WICKET
Jordan b Richardson 15 (Brave 123-9)
High class from Kane Richardson!
A brilliant in-swinging yorker. Inch perfect and it is through the batter's defences and hammering into middle stump.
Chris Jordan can only nod his approval as he trudges off.
Brave 119-8
58 runs needed
After being carted for the enormous six by Jordan, Howell quickly recovers and it is back to only singles being conceded.
The game might be up but Chris Jordan clearly wants to go down swinging.
Post update
Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Radio
Chris Jordan is a powerful man.
Brave 114-8
Wow, that is a biggie from Chris Jordan! He has bludgeoned that and it has soared into the stands!
Post update
Brave 108-8
69 runs needed
Howell gets through another superb set, just four singles and the wicket from it.
Barring a minor a miracle, this game is over as a contest.
Post update
Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match Special commentator
Jake Lintott is not really the man for the situation. He smiles wryly like a man who knows the game is done.
Post update
Steven Finn
Former England bowler on BBC Radio
Henry Brookes can do no wrong!