SOUTHERN Brave captain James Vince and his side completed the turnaround from a disappointing start to Lord’s winners in the inaugural The Hundred, and admitted: “After two games we had a lot to do. Since then it’s been incredible.”

Paul Stirling and Ross Whitely starred on the night as the former nailed six sixes in his 61 off 36 balls, while Whiteley cleared the rope on four occasions in an unbeaten 44 off 19.

Their total of 168-5 was too great to be matched by Birmingham Phoenix, who could only reach 136-5 from their 100 balls.

The victory by 32 runs meant Brave hadn’t lost in seven to be crowned the first winners of the Men’s format.

Speaking after the match, Brave’s skipper Vince said: "It feels pretty good to be crowned champions. After two games we still had belief, but we had a lot to do. Since then it's been incredible.

“Every game has felt like a final and tonight to play in front of a full house at Lord's and perform the way did and be the first winners is a great feeling.

"Ross Whiteley whenever he's been called upon has been outstanding. I think he changed the game from looking at 140 to suddenly 160-odd - that made a massive difference.

“And Stirlo (Stirling) has gone unnoticed since he arrived, but even if he's got 20 it's meant we've got off to a bit of a flyer. So to see him get 60 was great.”

Liam Livingstone did hit 46 off just 19 balls for Phoenix, but for a bit of extraordinary fielding from Tim David who hit his stumps directly from long-range, after Chris Jordan had dropped.

Vince added: "I think it helped that we were bowling second and had runs on the board because we knew Liam (Livingstone) and Moeen had to sustain the hitting for a long period of time.

“As good a form as Liam is in, we always felt we were only one wicket away."