Matthew Potts delivered a decisive spell for Sunrisers Leeds during their comprehensive victory over Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred Men’s 2026. The England seamer picked up three wickets and produced a memorable finish to his spell by bowling Tom Helm with the 89th ball of Phoenix’s innings, putting himself on a hat-trick.
Potts combined pace and accuracy throughout the innings as Sunrisers Leeds successfully defended their total of 169. His late dismissal of Helm further underlined the dominance of the visitors’ bowling attack as Birmingham Phoenix were restricted to 124 for 8.
Matthew Potts cleans up Tom Helm to get on a hat-trick
The moment arrived with Birmingham Phoenix already struggling in their chase. Potts bowled a full delivery straight at the stumps, and Helm attempted to attack the ball with a big swing. However, the batter failed to make contact as the delivery went through his attempted shot and crashed into the stumps. Helm was dismissed for a first-ball duck, while Potts immediately celebrated after completing his third wicket of the innings.
The dismissal also put Potts on a hat-trick, adding an exciting finish to an already one-sided contest. The England pacer had earlier removed Will Smeed and was among the key contributors with the ball as Sunrisers kept taking wickets at regular intervals.
Here’s the video:
Two in two from Matt Potts 💪
The SunRisers Leeds bowler hits the stumps twice in two balls 👊#TheHundred | #RoadToTheEliminator pic.twitter.com/Ndl3NKcEYt
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 7, 2026
Sunrisers Leeds complete dominant win over Birmingham Phoenix
Batting first, Sunrisers Leeds posted 169 for 7 from their 100 balls. Ryan Rickelton was the standout performer with the bat, scoring 65 from 37 deliveries to provide the foundation for a competitive total. Rickelton opened alongside Mitchell Marsh, and the pair immediately put Phoenix under pressure by adding 52 runs from just 32 balls. Marsh’s dismissal brought Harry Brook to the crease, but the England batter could not produce another explosive innings as he was dismissed by Usman Tariq.
Rickelton continued to anchor the innings before being run out after making his 65. Sunrisers struggled to accelerate during the closing stages but managed to add crucial runs at the end, including two sixes from the final three deliveries. Phoenix’s chase got off to a disastrous start as Brydon Carse and Potts struck early. Carse removed Mitchell Owen before Potts dismissed Smeed, while Rehan Ahmed was also sent back for a duck.
Joe Clarke and Sean Dickson attempted to steady the innings, with Dickson top-scoring for Phoenix with 34. Jordan Thompson added some late runs with a couple of sixes, but the hosts ultimately finished on 124 for 8, falling 45 runs short. Carse and Potts both finished with three wickets, while Abrar Ahmed also impressed with an economical spell. The victory moved Sunrisers Leeds up to second place in the standings, while Birmingham Phoenix became the second men’s team to be eliminated from The Hundred Men’s 2026.
Sunrisers Leeds won by 45 runs and gets to second position in the points table 💥#TheHundred #SunrisersLeeds #Cricket pic.twitter.com/atmYjMxnjf
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) August 8, 2026
