Birmingham Phoenix secured their first triumph in the 2026 women's edition of The Hundred in a nail‑biting finish, edging out Welsh Fire with just one delivery left on the clock while high‑profile investor Jude Bellingham watched from the stands. Entering the match at Edgbaston, the Phoenix were languishing at the bottom of the league table, having collected only two points from their opening two fixtures.
The pressure was palpable, but the home side chose to field first, forcing Welsh Fire to set a target. Welsh Fire responded with a respectable total of 144 runs off their allotted 100 balls. The backbone of that innings was Georgia Voll, who smashed 78 runs from just 55 deliveries, anchoring the Fire’s chase with a blend of power and precision.
However, it was the combined on‑fire performance of Elysse Perry and Alice Capsey that ultimately tipped the scales in Birmingham's favour. Perry contributed a brisk 68 runs without being dismissed, while Capsey added a valuable 51, both innings delivered at a strike rate that kept the scoreboard ticking and kept the Phoenix within striking distance throughout the chase.
As the match progressed into its final overs, the Phoenix found themselves needing ten runs from three balls – a scenario that would test any side’s nerve. Perry rose to the occasion, first dispatching a six over deep mid‑wicket to Heather Graham, then following it up with a four through point on the very next ball. Those decisive boundaries sealed a dramatic victory for Birmingham, sparking jubilant celebrations from the home crowd.
In a post‑match interview with Sky Sports, Perry reflected on the win: "It is lovely to have the win at home, amazing atmosphere here today. I thought we did pretty well to restrict the Fire there with our bowling and then [we] just timed it at the end to get over the line.
The results haven't been there for us but we've had a lot of fun as a group. Today was another cool opportunity and a nice challenge. Partnerships are crucial and the way Alice batted today was outstanding.
To have the opportunity there to take it deep and have a chance in the last 10. It was a great contest." The presence of England and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham in the stands added an extra layer of intrigue to the women's match.
Earlier in the year, Bellingham had acquired a 1.2 percent ownership stake in the Phoenix, signalling his growing interest in women's cricket and expanding his portfolio beyond football. His attendance underscored the increasing crossover appeal of The Hundred and highlighted the league’s ambition to attract high‑profile investors and fans alike. Prior to this victory, the Phoenix had endured a series of setbacks, suffering defeats at the hands of Southern Brave and Trent Rockets, and seeing their scheduled game against Manchester Super Giants washed out by rain.
The win against Welsh Fire therefore represented a pivotal moment, lifting the Phoenix to fifth place on the league table, while Welsh Fire slipped to seventh. Meanwhile, Southern Brave continued to dominate the competition, extending their lead at the summit and positioning themselves as favourites to claim the top spot in the final.
Their latest performance, a five‑wicket win over London Spirit at Lord's, showcased why they are regarded as the most potent attacking unit in the tournament. The Brave’s bowlers displayed exceptional control and variation, stifling the Spirit’s batting line‑up throughout the innings. Brave captain Sophie Molineux delivered a standout spell, returning figures of 3‑7 from her 20‑ball quota – the second‑most economical spell in Hundred history, trailing only teammate Lauren Bell’s 4‑6 against Welsh Fire last season.
Chasing a target of 115, the Brave’s innings featured a crucial wicket when Marizanne Kapp dismissed Lizelle Lee caught‑and‑bowled on the fifth ball of the reply, followed by the removal of in‑form Jemimah Rodrigues. Despite these breakthroughs, London Spirit’s total proved insufficient on a well‑prepared Lord’s surface.
Maia Bouchier led the Brave’s batting with a fluent 46 off 38 balls, but the chase remained tense. The Brave lost Bouchier and Molineux (who fell for 23) with just one run required, the latter caught brilliantly by Deandra Dottin at mid‑wicket. Nevertheless, the remaining batters managed to scrape home with seven balls to spare, clinching the win. Molineux, who was later named the Meerkat Match Hero, shared her thoughts on Sky Sports Cricket: "The pitch had a little bit in it for the spinners.
I thought Tilly (Corteen‑Coleman) bowled really well from that top end as well and Glenny (Sarah Glenn) played a massive role there in the middle doing what she does best. It was a really good bowling performance from everyone all round.
No standouts, just everyone playing their role." The Hundred’s schedule continues to build momentum, with every remaining match leading up to the finals on Sunday, August 16. Fans can follow the action live on the NOW platform, which streams all games without a subscription fee, offering comprehensive coverage of both the men’s and women’s competitions.
The tournament’s blend of fast‑paced cricket, star power, and innovative formats promises to keep audiences engaged as teams vie for the coveted final spots, and as investors like Bellingham continue to deepen their involvement in the sport’s growing popularity.