Solar eclipse darkens Edgbaston during The Hundred

The match began at 6:30pm local time, shortly after the eclipse had started at around 6:15pm. The phenomenon reached its peak at 7:11pm, when

BIRMINGHAM: A rare celestial spectacle added an extraordinary twist to The Hundred 2026 as a partial solar eclipse darkened the sky during the clash between Birmingham Phoenix and MI London at Edgbaston Stadium on Wednesday.

The match began at 6:30pm local time, shortly after the eclipse had started at around 6:15pm. The phenomenon reached its peak at 7:11pm, when approximately 91.76 percent of the Sun was obscured, before ending at 8:05pm.

As daylight faded dramatically, Edgbaston’s floodlights were switched on to maintain visibility, allowing the match to continue without interruption. Stadium screens and the announcer repeatedly warned spectators not to look directly at the Sun because of the risk of serious eye damage.

The unusual conditions created a striking atmosphere for spectators, with the normally bright evening sky turning noticeably darker as the eclipse progressed.

On the field, MI London held their nerve to post 157 runs. Birmingham Phoenix responded with 155, falling just two runs short and handing MI London a narrow victory.

The combination of high-stakes cricket and a dramatic solar eclipse made the Edgbaston encounter one of the most unusual sporting moments of The Hundred 2026.