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Birmingham Phoenix host Trent Rockets at Edgbaston in the season opener for both sides in The Hundred Men 2026, though Birmingham go into the match without the captain they built their season around. Sam Billings leads Trent Rockets after three straight title wins with his old club, while Donovan Ferreira steps up for Birmingham following a late injury blow. In this preview you will find the match details, squad changes, pitch report and two BP vs TR fantasy team options, one safe and one for grand leagues.
For Indian viewers, the match starts at 11.00 PM IST, a 5.30 PM start in Birmingham.
BP vs TR Match Details
Match: Birmingham Phoenix vs Trent Rockets, 4th Match, The Hundred Men 2026
Date: Friday, July 24, 2026
Time: 11.00 PM IST | 5.30 PM local, UK
Venue: Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham
Streaming in India: Sony LIV
TV in India: Sony Sports Ten Network
Birmingham’s Captaincy Blow
Jacob Bethell was retained by Birmingham Phoenix for £340,000 and named captain ahead of this season, but he has been ruled out of the entire tournament with a right knee injury sustained during England’s ODI series against India. South African all-rounder Donovan Ferreira has been named as his replacement, with head coach Shane Bond backing him to lead the side deep into the competition. There is also a fitness concern over Mustafizur Rahman, who arrived in the Birmingham squad already carrying an injury from international duty.
Trent Rockets: Billings Returns To Lead A New Club
Sam Billings takes over as Trent Rockets captain this season after leaving his previous club, where he led them to three straight Hundred titles between 2023 and 2025. He was signed by the Rockets for £180,000, the fourth-most expensive buy in the men’s auction, and leads a squad featuring Ben Duckett, Tim David, Tom Banton and Finn Allen.
BP vs TR Head To Head
Birmingham Phoenix lead the head to head 5 wins to 4 across the last ten meetings between the two sides, though Trent Rockets won their most recent meeting last season.
BP vs TR Squads
Birmingham Phoenix: Donovan Ferreira (c), Will Smeed, Joe Clarke (wk), Laurie Evans, Sean Dickson, Ethan Brookes, Jordan Thompson, Mitchell Owen, Rehan Ahmed, Scott Currie, Usman Tariq, Chris Wood, Mustafizur Rahman, Saqib Mahmood, Tom Helm
Note: Jacob Bethell, originally retained and named captain, has been ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury.
Trent Rockets: Sam Billings (c, wk), Finn Allen, Tom Banton (wk), Tim David, Aneurin Donald, Ben Duckett (wk), Mitchell Santner, Ben Sanderson, Ben Raine
Note: Trent Rockets’ full squad list was not available in complete detail at the time of writing.
Edgbaston Pitch Report: Bowling First Preferred
Edgbaston has hosted 19 matches in The Hundred, with sides bowling first winning 58 percent of the time against 42 percent for teams batting first. The average first innings score of 143 suggests a venue that rewards good bowling units, though scores as high as 185 have been posted here.
Edgbaston venue stats:
| Stat | Record |
|---|---|
| Matches | 19 |
| Won batting first | 42% |
| Won bowling first | 58% |
| Average 1st innings score | 143 |
| Average 2nd innings score | 123 |
| Highest total | 185/5 by Birmingham Phoenix vs London Spirit |
| Lowest total | 41/5 by Manchester (as Originals) vs Birmingham Phoenix |
| Highest chased | 182/6 by Birmingham Phoenix vs MI London (as Oval Invincibles) |
| Lowest defended | 184/5 by Welsh Fire vs Birmingham Phoenix |
Pace has taken 67 percent of wickets at this ground across the last 10 matches against 33 percent for spin, a split that should suit both attacks given their seam-heavy overseas options.
Birmingham Weather Report For BP vs TR
Mostly sunny conditions are expected, with humidity high at around 92 percent and temperature close to 14.5°C. Rain chance is low at around 6 percent, so a full match is likely.
BP vs TR Probable Playing XIs
Birmingham Phoenix (probable): Will Smeed, Joe Clarke (wk), Laurie Evans, Sean Dickson, Donovan Ferreira (c), Ethan Brookes, Jordan Thompson, Mitchell Owen, Rehan Ahmed, Saqib Mahmood, Tom Helm
Trent Rockets (probable): Finn Allen, Tom Banton (wk), Ben Duckett, Sam Billings (c), Tim David, Aneurin Donald, Mitchell Santner, Ben Raine, Ben Sanderson
Key Player Battles
Tim David vs Birmingham’s death bowlers: David’s finishing power was a key part of Trent Rockets’ run to last year’s final, and how Chris Wood and Tom Helm handle him at the death could shape the whole match.
Donovan Ferreira vs Sam Billings: Two captains leading their sides into unfamiliar territory this season, both under pressure to make an early statement in their new leadership roles.
Mitchell Owen vs Trent Rockets’ spin options: Owen’s power-hitting against Trent Rockets’ spin through the middle overs is worth watching, especially if Birmingham look to him to accelerate after a slow start.
BP vs TR Fantasy Team (Small Leagues)
Wicketkeeper: Tom Banton
Batters: Ben Duckett (C), Tim David (VC), Will Smeed
All Rounders: Donovan Ferreira, Mitchell Santner
Bowlers: Saqib Mahmood, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Helm, Ben Sanderson, Chris Wood
Duckett is captain on the back of his consistent record at the top of the order, and David takes the vice-captaincy as one of the format’s most destructive finishers. Ferreira and Santner cover the all-round bases as both sides look to their overseas options for control in the middle overs.
BP vs TR Fantasy Team (Grand Leagues)
For grand leagues, this second BP vs TR fantasy team brings in Sean Dickson and Aneurin Donald as lower-owned alternatives to the headline names.
Wicketkeeper: Joe Clarke — differential
Batters: Ben Duckett (C), Sean Dickson (VC) — differential, Aneurin Donald — differential
All Rounders: Mitchell Owen, Jordan Thompson
Bowlers: Saqib Mahmood, Ben Raine — differential, Usman Tariq, Scott Currie — differential
Dickson and Donald both offer upside without the ownership Smeed or Banton are likely to draw. Ben Raine and Scott Currie are the wildcard bowling picks, both capable of a breakout performance in a match where both squads are opening their season under new leadership.
Also Read: LS vs MSG Fantasy Team, 3rd Match: Preview, Probable XIs, Pitch Report And Prediction
BP vs TR Match Prediction
Trent Rockets arrive with a settled, title-tested captain in Sam Billings and a batting line-up capable of putting up big totals, having reached last year’s final. Birmingham Phoenix face this opener under real pressure, having lost their captain and best all-round option to injury just days before the season, with Ferreira leading a group that has had little time to adjust. Trent Rockets get the edge here on squad depth and leadership experience, though a raw talent like Will Smeed could make it a much closer contest if he gets going early for Birmingham.
FAQs
Q. When is the BP vs TR match?
A. Friday, July 24, 2026, at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham, starting at 5.30 PM local time, which is 11.00 PM IST.
Q. Where can I watch BP vs TR live in India?
A. The match will be telecast on Sony Sports Ten Network and streamed live on Sony LIV.
Q. Is Jacob Bethell playing for Birmingham Phoenix?
A. No. He has been ruled out of the entire tournament with a knee injury sustained during England’s ODI series against India.
Q. Who is Birmingham Phoenix’s captain now?
A. Donovan Ferreira, after Jacob Bethell’s injury withdrawal.
Q. Who is Trent Rockets’ captain?
A. Sam Billings, who previously captained his old club to three straight Hundred titles before moving to Trent Rockets this season.