Southern Brave continued their flawless run in this season's The Hundred, securing a comfortable 24‑run triumph over Birmingham Phoenix and preserving their unbeaten streak. The match, played on the expansive Southampton ground, saw the Brave complete a perfect four‑out‑of‑four record, while Phoenix remained anchored at the bottom of the table, still searching for their inaugural win.
After electing to bowl first, the Brave set a target of 141 runs. Their bowlers applied pressure early, limiting the Phoenix to 50 runs off 37 balls, with Tammy Beaumont and Davina Perrin providing the bulk of the early scoring. A strategic timeout was called when the Phoenix still needed 54 runs from the remaining 30 balls, having lost Beaumont for 22 (23).
The pause, intended to regroup the batting side, did not translate into momentum, and the chase soon stalled. The turning point came when Alice Capsey, who had already impressed with her bowling, delivered a cleverly disguised slower ball from Lauren Bell that drifted into extra cover on her ninth delivery. Shortly after, Perrin, who had been in fine form and had already reached a half‑century off 40 balls, mis‑timed a lofted shot against a leg‑break from Sarah Glenn, offering the ball to Maia Bouchier at long‑on. The dismissal effectively ended any hopes of a late surge.
Perrin's wicket was a decisive blow. Sophie Molineux, the Brave's left‑arm pacer, claimed two wickets in the innings, taking her tournament tally to seven.
She worked in tandem with fellow left‑arm spinner Tilly Courteen‑Coleman, applying relentless pressure that the Phoenix could not shake off. Even a brief cameo from Ellyse Perry, who struck a pair of long‑handed boundaries, was insufficient to close the gap, and the Phoenix were eventually bowled out 24 runs short of the target. The Brave's batting display was anchored by an explosive powerplay from Lizelle Lee.
Lee accelerated to a rapid 43 off just 23 balls, hitting the only two sixes of the match and setting a brisk tempo for the innings. Maia Bouchier complemented Lee's aggression with a quickfire 45 off 31 balls, while Jemimah Rodrigues added valuable runs at the death, hitting three fours in the final five deliveries to cement the Brave's total. In post‑match comments, Lee reflected on the conditions, noting that batting against the new ball was advantageous early on: "The ball came off the wicket a bit easier at the start, but as it softened it became tougher to play." She praised her teammates, especially the bowlers, for their discipline: "Our bowlers have not received enough credit. They have bowled exceptionally well, getting us out of tight spots.
Sophie Molineux’s calm leadership on the field has been infectious, and it shows in the way the whole team performs under pressure." The victory not only extends Brave's unbeaten run but also highlights the depth of talent within the squad. Their ability to combine aggressive batting with disciplined, varied bowling makes them a formidable side in the competition. Meanwhile, Phoenix must regroup and find a winning formula as they continue to sit at the foot of the standings.
Looking ahead, the next fixtures promise more excitement. Manchester Super Giants will host Trent Rockets on Friday, with the women's match kicking off at 3 p.m. followed by the men's game at 6:30 p.m., both broadcast live on Sky Sports. Fans can also catch additional coverage of The Hundred and related content on the NOW platform, provided they use a Chrome browser for optimal video playback.
Overall, the match showcased the high‑octane nature of The Hundred, with rapid scoring, strategic bowling changes, and dramatic moments that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. The Brave's continued dominance sets a high bar for the remainder of the tournament, while Phoenix will need to dig deep to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming games.