In a stark display of bowling superiority, the Birmingham Phoenix were bundled out for a paltry 64 runs by the Trent Rockets, succumbing to a crushing nine‑wicket defeat on the historic Edgbaston ground during the women's segment of The Hundred competition. The low total, which saw more than half of the runs contributed by Australia’s marquee all‑rounder Ellyse Perry, who managed 39, highlighted the struggles of the Phoenix batting line‑up. Four of their batters failed to get off the mark, and the next highest scorer after Perry managed only six runs, underscoring the depth of the collapse.
This 64‑run innings ranks as the joint second‑lowest score ever recorded in The Hundred, eclipsed only by the Phoenix’s own dismal 54 all‑out earlier in the 2024 season. The Rockets’ bowling attack, spearheaded by uncapped Australian spinner Samantha Bates, who claimed three wickets for just ten runs, played a pivotal role in dismantling the Phoenix.
Fellow Australian Kim Garth added two wickets for a mere five runs, while former England all‑rounder Georgia Elwiss contributed three for thirteen. Their disciplined, spin‑heavy approach on a surface that offered turn proved decisive, forcing the Phoenix into a series of errors and preventing any meaningful partnerships from forming. Once the Phoenix were bundled out, the Rockets wasted no time in chasing the target.
They reached the required 65 runs in a lightning‑fast 31 balls, showcasing aggressive intent and clinical execution. England’s rising star Sophia Dunkley was the standout, hammering nine boundaries and finishing unbeaten on 43 off just 17 deliveries.
Sophie Luff also played a crucial cameo, remaining not out on 19 from nine balls after the early dismissal of Australian opener Beth Mooney, who fell for four. The Rockets’ batting display was a textbook example of power hitting combined with smart strike rotation, allowing them to cruise to victory with eight wickets in hand. The Phoenix’s batting woes were evident from the outset.
Their top three order—Davina Perrin (2), Tammy Beaumont (0) and Alice Capsey (1)—combined for a meagre three runs, failing to provide any platform for the middle order. The subsequent positions, occupied by Annerie Dercksen, Jemima Spence and Kayla Reneyeke, contributed nothing at all, each being dismissed without scoring.
The team’s only salvation from an even more humiliating defeat was Perry’s resilient 39, which came after she was dropped on nine by fellow Australian Ash Gardner, a lapse that could have cost the side dearly. Samantha Bates was named Player of the Match for her outstanding spell, which not only yielded three wickets but also applied relentless pressure throughout the Phoenix innings. Her post‑match comments reflected the excitement of her debut for the Rockets: "It’s pretty cool to play my first game here with Rockets and get the win on the board. We thought we’d go spin‑heavy at Edgbaston and we’re glad that it paid off.
Kimmy [Kim Garth] bowled really well up front. It was nice that I kind of got the reward, but Kimmy really set the tone for us.
We also had a pretty frantic warm‑up and I think we should stick to that because we fielded brilliantly out there." The day’s schedule featured a packed four‑match slate, with two fixtures each at Headingley and Cardiff. In Leeds, SunRisers Leeds hosted Southern Brave, with the women’s match slated for 11:00 am followed by the men’s game at 2:30 pm. Meanwhile, in Wales, Welsh Fire welcomed MI London, offering a women’s encounter at 2:30 pm and the men’s contest at 6:00 pm.
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