Southern Brave kept their flawless run in this season's The Hundred, cruising to a 24‑run triumph over Birmingham Phoenix at the Southampton ground. The win marked their fourth successive success, reinforcing their position at the top of the table while Phoenix continued to languish at the bottom, still searching for their inaugural victory.
After electing to bowl first, the Brave set a competitive target of 141 runs. Their disciplined fielding and tight bowling limited the Phoenix to a modest 50 runs off the first 37 deliveries, thanks to steady contributions from Tammy Beaumont and the young Davina Perrin. When the strategic timeout was called, the chase required 54 runs from the remaining 30 balls, but the loss of Beaumont for 22 (23) shifted the momentum.
The subsequent overs saw the Phoenix’s innings stall. Alice Capsey, who had earlier impressed with her bowling, delivered a crucial wicket by trapping Lauren Bell with a slower ball that drifted into extra cover on her ninth delivery.
Perrin, who had been the stand‑out batter for Phoenix with a hard‑earned half‑century from 40 balls, survived three potential catches at the boundary but eventually mis‑timed a lofted shot against Sarah Glenn’s leg‑break, offering Maia Bouchier an easy catch at long‑on. That dismissal effectively ended Phoenix’s hopes, as they lost further wickets in quick succession. Left‑arm pacer Sophie Molineux claimed two more wickets, taking her tournament tally to seven, while fellow left‑arm spinner Tilly Courten‑Coleman applied relentless pressure from the other end.
Even a brief partnership between Phoenix’s experienced all‑rounder Ellyse Perry and Bouchier, which produced a couple of long‑hit boundaries, could not bridge the widening gap. The Phoenix were eventually bowled out 24 runs short of the target. Brave’s batting display was anchored by an explosive powerplay from Lizelle Lee, who smashed 43 runs off just 23 balls, including the only two sixes of the match.
Her aggressive start set the tone for the innings. Maia Bouchier, arriving later, added a brisk 45 from 31 balls, while Jemimah Rodrigues contributed crucial runs in the final overs, striking three fours in the last five balls to cement the total. These contributions ensured the Brave posted a defendable score that their bowlers could comfortably chase. The match also featured several notable moments from the wider tournament.
Earlier, SunRisers Leeds had eliminated Birmingham Phoenix with a 45‑run win, highlighted by Phoebe Litchfield’s record‑breaking fastest fifty in women’s competition history. In other fixtures, Sikandar Raza’s cameo powered MI London to a derby victory over the Spirit, and Trent Rockets continued their dominant form with a fifth straight win, highlighted by Jos Buttler’s historic performance for Manchester Super Giants.
Ben Duckett starred for the Rockets as they defeated SunRisers Leeds, while Rashid Khan claimed a five‑wicket haul for MI London. England Test captain Joe Root also shone in his Hundred duties as Welsh Fire overcame Birmingham Phoenix.
Reflecting on the game, Lizelle Lee, who was named the Meerkat Match Hero, praised the conditions: "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 added, "Our batters did really well at the end to get us up to a good score, and that set us apart. 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." Looking ahead, Manchester Super Giants will host Trent Rockets on Friday, with the women's match kicking off at 3 pm followed by the men's fixture at 6:30 pm, both broadcast live on Sky Sports. Fans can also stream The Hundred and other contract‑free cricket action on the NOW platform. The Brave’s unbeaten streak continues to build momentum, and Phoenix will be eager to regroup and find a way back into the contest as the tournament progresses.