Southern Brave continued their flawless campaign in this season's The Hundred, securing a comfortable 24‑run triumph over Birmingham Phoenix and preserving their unbeaten run. The match, played on the expansive Southampton ground, pitted the league leaders against the tournament's lowest‑ranked side, and the result reinforced the stark contrast between the two teams' fortunes. When the Phoenix took to the field they faced a target of 141 runs, a total that had been set by the Brave after a disciplined innings that combined aggressive power‑hitting with smart, calculated play. The Phoenix’s chase began reasonably well; they reached 50 runs off 37 deliveries, thanks to a solid partnership between Tammy Beaumont and the young Davina Perrin.
Their start suggested that a competitive contest might be possible, but the momentum soon shifted. A strategic timeout was called by the Phoenix when the required run‑rate climbed to 10.8 runs per over, with 54 runs needed from the remaining 30 balls. At that point, Beaumont was dismissed for 22, leaving the side in a precarious position. The loss of the experienced batter stalled the chase, and the Phoenix never managed to recover.
Alice Capsey, who had already impressed with her bowling earlier in the tournament, delivered a crucial breakthrough. On her ninth ball she bowled a slower delivery that caught Lauren Bell off‑guard and was taken for a catch in the extra‑cover region. The wicket broke the rhythm of the innings and set the tone for the final overs.
Davina Perrin, who had previously displayed a gritty half‑century built on a 40‑ball effort, fell shortly thereafter. After surviving three boundary catches, she mistimed a lofted shot off a leg‑break from Sarah Glenn, sending the ball to Maia Bouchier at long‑on for a simple catch. Perrin’s dismissal effectively ended any hope of a comeback, as the Phoenix’s wickets fell in quick succession. Left‑arm spinner Sophie Molineux, who has now claimed two wickets in this tournament, partnered with fellow left‑arm bowler Tilly Courten‑Coleman to apply relentless pressure.
Their combined spell tightened the scoring rate and forced the Phoenix into a series of defensive strokes. Even a late surge from Ellyse Perry, who struck two long‑handed boundaries, was insufficient to close the gap, and Birmingham fell short by 24 runs. The Brave’s batting innings was anchored by an explosive powerplay from Lizelle Lee.
In just 23 balls she amassed 43 runs, including the match’s only two sixes, setting a brisk tempo that allowed the team to post a competitive total. Maia Bouchier contributed a quick‑scoring 45 off 31 balls, playing a supportive role and keeping the run‑rate high. In the final overs, Jemimah Rodrigues added valuable momentum, hitting three fours in the last five deliveries to ensure the Brave’s total remained safe.
Post‑match, Lizelle Lee reflected on the conditions, noting that the new ball offered a bit more assistance early on: "I think it was better to bat against the new ball out there. It came off the wicket a bit easier and as soon as the ball got a bit softer, it became harder to play." She praised her teammates, especially the bowlers, for their disciplined performance: "Our bowlers are not getting enough credit.
They've bowled extremely well, they get us out of everything. Everyone's gelling pretty well and we seem to be able to get over the line in tough situations.
Sophie Molineux as captain is such a calm presence on the field and I feel that is flowing into everybody, and it shows." The victory marked Brave’s fourth win from four matches, cementing their position at the top of the table and highlighting the widening gap between the league’s front‑runners and its struggling sides. For Phoenix, the defeat extended their winless run, leaving them anchored at the bottom of the standings and still searching for their inaugural victory of the competition. Looking ahead, Manchester Super Giants will host Trent Rockets on Friday, with the women's fixture scheduled for 3 p.m. and the men's game following at 6:30 p.m., both broadcast live on Sky Sports.
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