Donovan Ferreira backs Birmingham Phoenix despite injury setbacks

BIRMINGHAM: New Birmingham Phoenix captain Donovan Ferreira says he remains confident about his side's prospects in The Hundred despite the loss of key players ahead of the team's opening match, while also praising Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq as a major asset for the squad.

The South African all-rounder, signed by Birmingham Phoenix for this season, was informed on his 28th birthday, July 21, that Jacob Bethell would miss the tournament through injury. Bethell had been due to captain the side, but the management instead handed the leadership role to Ferreira, who also led South Africa during last year's T20I series against Pakistan in Pakistan.

Speaking at Edgbaston Stadium before Birmingham Phoenix's opening game against local rivals Trent Rockets, Ferreira said Bethell's absence was a significant blow both as a batter and a leader.

“It's unfortunate that Jacob Bethell has missed out, not only as a batter but as a leader in the squad as well. Obviously, this is something that we have to deal with, as these unexpected things do happen from time to time, but with the tournament coming so quickly, we had to acknowledge that and send our regards to Bethell”.

He said the side had to quickly shift its attention to the challenge ahead and that he was grateful for the opportunity to lead.

“I think it was important for us to move on as quickly as we can and focus on what the challenge ahead is and get things ready. So, I'm grateful to be the leader of this team, and I'll do it to the best of my ability, and I'll give 100% to everything I do”, he added further.

Confidence despite changes

Ferreira said Birmingham Phoenix had also been hit by the injury absence of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, but he expressed confidence in the squad members who remain available and in the replacement signings brought in by the coaching staff and management.

“The coaches have done really well, we've signed a really good squad as a whole, but to replace him wasn't easy. But I've got 100% backing from the coaches to lead the team, and for us it's really important to back each other 100%. I think we've got a really good squad and we'll see how the matches turn out, but for us we're gonna be really clear: we're gonna play an exciting brand of cricket and you know we're gonna back each other 100%”.

Usman Tariq praised

Ferreira also highlighted the importance of Pakistan mystery spinner Usman Tariq, who was bought by Birmingham Phoenix at the auction for £140,000. He said Tariq's experience with Warwickshire Bears in the T20 Blast gives him useful knowledge of English conditions and of playing at Edgbaston.

Referring to Pakistan's tour during which Tariq made his international debut, Ferreira said South Africa had studied the spinner closely at the time and were uncertain about facing him in a match.

“When we visited Pakistan, we were analysing him back then when he made his debut; we weren't quite sure facing him in the match. I'm so grateful that he's part of our squad that I don't have to face him this hundred, but playing in the blast as well, he's gotten to get to know the English conditions, and he's bowled at this venue quite a lot and has had good success over here. So, I'm excited to see what he is going to bring for us, but I have no doubt that he's going to be successful”.

Looking forward to a new chapter

Although this is Ferreira's first season with Birmingham Phoenix, he has previously played in The Hundred and was part of last year's title-winning Oval Invincibles side, now rebranded as MI Oval. He said the atmosphere around the competition had been one of its strongest features, with full stadiums and strong support for every team.

“This is my third year being part of Oval, the last two years, and fortunately winning it with them is one of the parts that made it a lot easier and a lot more enjoyable. All the stadiums were full, and the support behind every team is amazing”.

Ferreira said players feel a responsibility to repay that support and added that The Hundred is among his favourite tournaments. He said he is now looking forward to playing for a different team and representing a new city this year.

“For us as players, we feel like we've got a whole army behind us so we have a big responsibility to uphold that trust to play for the badge and play for the people so that they could feel that excitement and that enjoyment when they come out to watch us. I really love the Hundred; it's probably one of my favourite tournaments that I play in, and I'm really looking forward to playing with a new team and in a new city this year”.