Birmingham Phoenix secured their maiden win in the 2026 Women's Hundred competition in a nail‑biting finish, edging out Welsh Fire with just a single delivery to spare while high‑profile investor Jude Bellingham watched from the stands. The triumph was especially dramatic because the Phoenix entered the match languishing at the bottom of the table, having amassed only two points from their opening games. The encounter took place at Edgbaston, where the home side elected to field first. Welsh Fire responded by posting a total of 144 runs off their allotted 100 balls, a respectable score powered largely by Georgia Voll’s aggressive 78‑run knock off just 55 deliveries.
Voll’s innings set the tone, but it was the combined firepower of Elysse Perry and Alice Capsey that ultimately turned the tide for Birmingham. Perry smashed 68 runs without losing her wicket, while Capsey contributed a quick‑fire 51, both innings coming at a brisk strike rate that kept the pressure on the opposition. When the Phoenix began their chase, the game remained tightly contested. With three balls remaining, Birmingham still needed ten runs to win.
In a moment that will be replayed in Hundred highlights, Perry unleashed a six over deep mid‑wicket off Heather Graham’s delivery and then followed it up with a four through point on the very next ball, sealing the victory with a single ball left on the clock. After the match, Perry spoke to Sky Sports, describing the atmosphere and the significance of 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." She went on to praise her teammates, noting that partnerships had been vital and that Capsey’s batting had been "outstanding". Perry added, "To have the opportunity there to take it deep and have a chance in the last 10. It was a great contest." Jude Bellingham, who is better known for his exploits with England’s senior men’s team and his recent stint with Real Madrid, was present in the crowd for the women's match.
His attendance came ahead of the men’s fixture, also featuring Welsh Fire, and reflects his growing involvement with the Phoenix franchise. Earlier in the year, Bellingham acquired a 1.2 percent ownership stake in the Birmingham side, signalling his commitment to the sport beyond his own playing career.
The Phoenix’s path to this victory has been rocky. Prior to facing Welsh Fire, they suffered defeats at the hands of Southern Brave and Trent Rockets, and a rain‑affected game against Manchester Super Giants was abandoned without a result. Those setbacks left them at the foot of the table, but the win against Welsh Fire lifted them to fifth place, while Welsh Fire slipped to seventh.
Meanwhile, Southern Brave continued to dominate the competition, extending their lead at the summit of the standings. After a five‑wicket win over London Spirit at Lord’s, they recorded five wins from five matches, positioning themselves as the clear favourites to claim the top spot in the final.
Their bowling unit, praised for precision and variation, dismantled the Spirit batting line‑up, which never seemed able to gain momentum. Brave captain Sophie Molineux delivered a standout performance, returning figures of three wickets for just seven runs from her 20‑ball spell – the second most economical spell in Hundred history, trailing only teammate Lauren Bell’s 4‑6 against Welsh Fire last season.
The Brave set a target of 115, and despite Marizanne Kapp’s early wicket of Lizelle Lee (caught and bowled on the fifth ball of the chase) and a brief spell from in‑form Jemimah Rodrigues, the Spirit could not recover on a favorable Lord’s pitch. Maia Bouchier led the Brave’s batting with a brisk 46 off 38 balls, but the chase faltered at the very end. Both Bouchier and Molineux (who fell for 23) were dismissed with just one run required, the latter caught brilliantly by Deandra Dottin at mid‑wicket. The Brave eventually clinched the win with seven balls to spare, thanks to contributions from the lower order.
Molineux, who was later named the Meerkat Match Hero, reflected on the match for 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 team vying for a place in the finals slated for Sunday, August 16. Fans can follow the remaining fixtures and the climactic showdown on the NOW streaming platform, which offers live coverage of all matches without a subscription fee.
Overall, Birmingham Phoenix’s first victory marks a turning point for a side that began the season at the bottom of the table. The combination of aggressive batting, disciplined bowling, and the morale boost from a dramatic finish suggests they could climb higher as the tournament progresses.
Meanwhile, Southern Brave’s flawless start underscores their status as the team to beat, and the presence of high‑profile investors like Jude Bellingham highlights the growing commercial appeal of The Hundred as it continues to attract global talent and audiences.