The Birmingham Phoenix suffered a crushing defeat at Edgbaston, being bowled out for just 64 runs by the Trent Rockets in the women's segment of The Hundred. This paltry total, which featured a substantial contribution from Australia's Ellyse Perry who scored 39, saw four of the Phoenix’s batters fall without scoring and the next highest scorer managing only six runs. The 64 runs posted by Phoenix represent the joint second‑lowest innings in the history of the competition, surpassed only by their own 54 all‑out collapse earlier in the 2024 season.
The Rockets’ bowling attack proved decisive, with uncapped Australian spinner Samantha Bates leading the charge by claiming three wickets for just ten runs. Fellow Australian Kim Garth added two wickets for five runs, while former England all‑rounder Georgia Elwiss contributed three wickets for thirteen runs.
Their disciplined, spin‑focused strategy paid dividends, dismantling the Phoenix batting line‑up with relentless accuracy. After restricting Phoenix to a meagre total, the Rockets chased down the target in a spectacular fashion, reaching the required runs in just 31 deliveries. England’s rising star Sophia Dunkley was the standout, smashing nine fours and finishing unbeaten on 43 off only 17 balls.
Sophie Luff supported her with a quickfire 19 not out from nine balls after the early dismissal of Australian opener Beth Mooney, who managed just four runs. Phoenix’s top order collapsed dramatically. The first three batters – Davina Perrin, Tammy Beaumont, and Alice Capsey – contributed a combined total of only three runs, with Perrin scoring two, Beaumont a duck, and Capsey one. The middle order, comprising Annerie Dercksen, Jemima Spence, and Kayla Reneyeke, failed to add any runs at all, leaving the team heavily reliant on Perry’s lone half‑century to avoid an even more humiliating defeat.
Perry herself was given a reprieve when she was dropped on nine by fellow Australian Ash Gardner, a moment that prevented the score from slipping further. Samantha Bates was named Player of the Match for her pivotal role in the Rockets’ triumph. In her post‑match interview, Bates reflected on the significance of the win, noting, "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." She praised teammate Kim Garth, saying, "Kimmy bowled really well up front.
It was nice that I kind of got the reward, but Kimmy really set the tone for us." Bates also highlighted the importance of a high‑energy warm‑up, adding, "We also had a pretty frantic warm‑up and I think we should stick to that because we fielded brilliantly out there." The match forms part of a packed four‑match day schedule, with two games each at Headingley and Cardiff. Later in the day, SunRisers Leeds will host Southern Brave, with the women's match kicking off at 11:00 am followed by the men’s game at 2:30 pm. In the afternoon, Welsh Fire will take on MI London, with the women’s fixture slated for 2:30 pm and the men’s contest beginning at 6:00 pm. Overall, the encounter underscored the potency of spin bowling in The Hundred’s short‑format game, especially on the slower, turning pitches at Edgbaston.
The Rockets’ ability to combine disciplined bowling with explosive batting ensured a swift and emphatic victory, while the Phoenix will need to reassess both their batting strategy and their approach to handling quality spin if they hope to bounce back in upcoming fixtures. The result also serves as a reminder of the fine margins in this competition, where a single partnership or a dropped catch can dramatically alter the outcome of a match.