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Match 13 | The Hundred 2026 | The Rose Bowl (Utilita Bowl), Southampton | 30 July 2026
Jofra Archer’s price tag hasn’t matched his numbers yet, and that gap is exactly what makes Match 13 worth watching. Joe Clarke and Will Smeed, both signed for a fraction of Archer’s fee, have already delivered match-winning innings this Hundred campaign. Adil Rashid and Marcus Stoinis are the rare picks earning every pound at the top end of the market. Southern Brave arrive winless after three matches, while Birmingham Phoenix sit mid-table needing their big names to finally show up at the Rose Bowl on Thursday evening.
Southern Brave built their squad around Archer’s 400,000 pound fee, the highest in this fixture. Smith followed at 300,000 and Rashid at 250,000. Jordan tops the mid-tier at 160,000, with Stoinis and Wood both past six figures.
Birmingham Phoenix paid 340,000 for Bethell, but a knee injury rules him out entirely. Ahmed’s 250,000 deal is now the priciest contract active in the Phoenix XI. Currie and captain Ferreira both cost 210,000, and Mustafizur’s 100,000 deal is also void through injury.
Rashid is the standout performer relative to salary, taking three for 21 against Sunrisers Leeds in Match 5. Stoinis backed that with three for 17 against MI London in Match 9. Miller’s 44 off 35 against Welsh Fire is the best knock from a Brave batter, while Archer’s 0 for 22 on debut cost the priciest man at the auction.
Clarke has been Phoenix’s best value pick by far, striking 68 off 32 for Man of the Match against Trent Rockets in Match 4. Smeed backed him with 51 off 28 in that innings, a huge return on a 55,000 pound fee. Ahmed has been mixed, following 48 off 25 and two wickets against Trent Rockets with two for 43 off 20 against MSG.
Both sides go into Thursday with their strongest combinations from their most recent matches. One group carries over from a Match 9 defeat, the other from a Match 7 win over Trent Rockets. Neither injured all-rounder features after their issues ruled them out.
| Player | Team | Role | Bat. Position |
| Jamie Smith | Southern Brave | WK-Batter | 1 (Opener) |
| Ben McKinney | Southern Brave | Batter | 2 (Opener) |
| Marcus Stoinis | Southern Brave | Batting Allrounder (overseas) | 3 |
| David Miller | Southern Brave | Batter (overseas) | 4 |
| Tristan Stubbs | Southern Brave | Batter (overseas) | 5 |
| Nikhil Chaudhary | Southern Brave | Bowling Allrounder (overseas) | 6 |
| Chris Jordan | Southern Brave | Captain / Bowler | 7 |
| Adil Rashid | Southern Brave | Bowling Allrounder | 8-9 |
| Luke Wood | Southern Brave | Bowler | 10 |
| Jofra Archer | Southern Brave | Bowler | 11 |
| Will Smeed | Birmingham Phoenix | Batter | 1 (Opener) |
| Mitchell Owen | Birmingham Phoenix | Batter (overseas) | 2 (Opener) |
| Joe Clarke | Birmingham Phoenix | WK-Batter | 3 |
| Sean Dickson | Birmingham Phoenix | Batter | 4 |
| Laurie Evans | Birmingham Phoenix | Batter | 5 |
| Donovan Ferreira | Birmingham Phoenix | Captain / Allrounder (overseas) | 6 |
| Rehan Ahmed | Birmingham Phoenix | Bowling Allrounder | 7 |
| Scott Currie | Birmingham Phoenix | Bowling Allrounder | 8 |
| Usman Tariq | Birmingham Phoenix | Bowler (overseas) | 9 |
| Saqib Mahmood | Birmingham Phoenix | Bowler | 10 |
| Chris Wood | Birmingham Phoenix | Bowler | 11 |
Manchester Super Giants top the table with two wins and a net run rate of plus 2.350, with Welsh Fire second on eight points at plus 0.527. MI London, Trent Rockets and Sunrisers Leeds sit on four points apiece. Phoenix also have four points, but their minus 1.925 rate is the worst above the bottom two. Southern Brave have lost all three, including 129 for 7 to MI London’s 130 for 7, leaving them bottom on zero points alongside London Spirit.
Judged on output against outlay, Rashid and Clarke are the two players justifying their fees most clearly. Rashid has turned a 250,000 pound deal into the Brave’s most reliable bowling weapon, while Clarke made an 85,000 signing look like a bargain. Archer and Bethell, the biggest fees here, have delivered far less certainty, one through an expensive debut and the other through injury.
The Southern Brave vs Birmingham Phoenix Hundred 2026 playing XI battle at the Rose Bowl will be decided by whether Rashid and Stoinis can out-value Clarke and Smeed once more. Southern Brave need their top earners to finally deliver in a match they cannot afford to lose. Birmingham Phoenix, sitting mid-table, will trust their cheaper finds to keep outperforming the auction sheet.
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Who is Southern Brave’s most expensive player this season?
Jofra Archer is Southern Brave’s most expensive player, signed for 400,000 pounds. That fee is the highest of any player involved in Thursday’s Rose Bowl fixture against Birmingham Phoenix.
How much did Birmingham Phoenix pay for Rehan Ahmed?
Birmingham Phoenix signed Rehan Ahmed for 250,000 pounds. He arrived as a direct signing after moving on from Trent Rockets ahead of this year’s auction cycle.
Which overseas players are in the Southern Brave squad?
Southern Brave have five overseas players, led by Australia’s Marcus Stoinis. David Miller and Tristan Stubbs represent South Africa, while Dan Worrall and Nikhil Chaudhary add Australian and New Zealand depth respectively.
What time does Southern Brave play Birmingham Phoenix?
The Match 13 clash starts at 5:30 PM UK time on Thursday, July 30. It will be played under lights at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, also known as the Utilita Bowl.
Why is Jacob Bethell not playing in Match 13?
Jacob Bethell is out with a knee injury and will miss the Rose Bowl clash. Birmingham Phoenix paid 340,000 pounds for him at the auction, making his absence the most expensive withdrawal of the round.
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