Southern Brave continued their flawless run in this season's The Hundred, securing a comfortable 24‑run triumph over Birmingham Phoenix at the new Southampton ground. The win marked the Brave's fourth successive success, keeping their record at four wins from four matches, while Phoenix remain anchored at the bottom of the table, still searching for their inaugural victory. After winning the toss, Phoenix elected to chase a target of 141 set by the Brave. Their innings began positively, reaching 50 runs off 37 balls thanks to solid contributions from opening batter Tammy Beaumont and promising youngster Davina Perrin.
The partnership gave the visitors a glimmer of hope, and when the strategic timeout was called the scoreboard read 54 for the loss of just one wicket, with 54 runs still required from the remaining 30 balls. However, the chase soon began to unravel. Alice Capsey, who had already impressed with her bowling earlier in the game, produced a crucial wicket by edging a slower ball from Lauren Bell to the extra‑cover region on her ninth delivery. The breakthrough was quickly followed by a dramatic dismissal of Perrin, who had been the backbone of the chase with a hard‑earned half‑century off 40 balls.
After surviving three boundary catches, Perrin mis‑timed a lofted shot against a leg‑break from Sarah Glenn, offering a simple catch to Maia Bouchier at long‑on. Her wicket effectively halted any momentum Phoenix had built. The left‑arm pacer Sophie Molineux then stepped up, claiming two vital wickets and taking her tournament tally to seven. She worked in tandem with fellow left‑arm spinner Tilly Courten‑Coleman, applying relentless pressure from both ends.
Even the explosive presence of Ellyse Perry, who managed a couple of long‑hit boundaries, could not bridge the growing gap. Phoenix ultimately fell 24 runs short of the target.
Brave’s batting display was anchored by a powerful opening spell from Lizelle Lee. Lee dominated the powerplay, blasting a rapid 43 runs off just 23 balls and hitting the only two sixes of the entire match.
Her aggressive start set the tone for the innings. Maia Bouchier, arriving at the crease shortly after, contributed a quick‑scoring 45 off 31 balls, striking with confidence and keeping the run rate high. Near the end of the innings, Jemimah Rodrigues added valuable momentum, striking three fours in the final five balls and ensuring the Brave posted a competitive total.
Post‑match, Lee praised the conditions, noting that the new ball behaved more predictably early on, which helped the batters settle. "It was easier to play the new ball when it was still a bit lively.
Once it softened, it became tougher, but our batters handled it well," she said. She also highlighted the importance of the bowling unit, stating, "Our bowlers have not received enough credit. They have bowled exceptionally well and have taken wickets at crucial moments.
The team is gelling, and that calmness, especially from captain Sophie Molineux, is spreading across the side." Looking ahead, the Brave will travel to Manchester for their next encounter, where they will face the Super Giants. The women's match is scheduled for 3 p.m., followed by the men's fixture at 6:30 p.m., both broadcast live on Sky Sports. Fans can also stream the action on the NOW platform, though a Chrome browser is recommended for optimal video playback.
Overall, the match reinforced Southern Brave's dominance in the competition, showcasing a balanced combination of aggressive batting, disciplined fielding, and incisive bowling. Meanwhile, Birmingham Phoenix must regroup and find a formula that can break their winless streak as the tournament progresses.