Birmingham Phoenix secured their maiden triumph in the 2026 women’s Hundred competition in spectacular fashion, edging out Welsh Fire with just one ball left on the clock while investor Jude Bellingham looked on from the stands. Entering the match at Edgbaston, the Phoenix were languishing at the bottom of the table, possessing a mere two points after two defeats.
Their decision to bowl first handed Welsh Fire the opportunity to set a target, and the Fire made the most of it, posting 144 runs from their allotted 100 deliveries. Georgia Voll anchored the innings with a blistering 78 off 55 balls, providing the backbone of the total.
The turning point for Birmingham came when the dual on‑fire partnership of Elysse Perry and Alice Capsey took charge. Perry smashed 68 runs without losing her wicket, while Capsey contributed a solid 51, both hits coming at a rapid clip that shifted the momentum firmly in Phoenix’s favour. Despite the strong chase, the Phoenix found themselves needing ten runs off the final three balls.
Perry rose to the occasion, first dispatching Heather Graham for a six over deep mid‑wicket and then following up with a four through point on the very next delivery. Those decisive boundaries sealed a win that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
After the match, Perry spoke to Sky Sports, saying, "It’s wonderful to win at home in front of such an amazing atmosphere. I think we did a good job restricting the Fire with our bowling and then we timed the chase perfectly at the end to get over the line." She added, "The results haven’t always gone our way, but we’ve had a lot of fun as a group.
Today was another great opportunity and a nice challenge. Partnerships are crucial, and the way Alice batted today was outstanding. To have the chance to go deep and finish the last ten runs was a fantastic contest." England international and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham was spotted in the crowd for the women's match and also attended the men’s fixture featuring Welsh Fire later in the day.
His presence follows his acquisition of a 1.2 percent stake in the Phoenix earlier this season, marking a high‑profile investment in the franchise. Prior to this encounter, Birmingham had suffered defeats at the hands of Southern Brave and Trent Rockets, and a rain‑affected game against Manchester Super Giants had been abandoned.
The win against Welsh Fire lifts the Phoenix to fifth place on the Hundred table, while the Fire slip 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. They recorded a flawless five‑win streak, the latest being a five‑wicket victory over London Spirit at Lord’s.
The Brave’s bowlers displayed exceptional control and variation, stifling the Spirit batting line‑up throughout the innings. Brave captain Sophie Molineux delivered a standout performance, returning figures of 3‑7 from her 20‑ball spell – the second most economical spell in the tournament’s history, surpassed only by teammate Lauren Bell’s 4‑6 against Welsh Fire last season.
Chasing a target of 115, the Brave’s innings saw Marizanne Kapp dismiss Lizelle Lee caught‑and‑bowled on the fifth ball of the reply, and then bring in the in‑form Jemimah Rodrigues. However, the Spirit’s total proved insufficient on a favourable Lord’s pitch. Maia Bouchier led the scoring for the Brave with an aggressive 46 off 38 balls, but the team stumbled near the finish, losing both Bouchier and Molineux (who fell for 23) with just one run required.
Molineux was spectacularly caught by Deandra Dottin at mid‑wicket, yet the Brave managed to scrape home with seven balls remaining. Speaking again on Sky Sports Cricket, Molineux, who was named the Meerkat Match Hero, reflected on the performance: "The pitch offered a little assistance to the spinners.
I thought Tilly (Corteen‑Coleman) bowled really well from the top end, and Glenny (Sarah Glenn) played a massive role in the middle, doing what she does best. It was a really good bowling performance from everyone around. No individual standouts, just everyone playing their role." The Hundred schedule continues with every match leading up to the finals on Sunday, 16 August. Fans can stream all the action, including the upcoming men’s fixtures, on NOW without a contract.
The competition remains a showcase of emerging talent, strategic acquisitions like Bellingham’s stake in the Phoenix, and thrilling finishes that keep supporters on the edge of their seats. As the season progresses, the Phoenix will look to build on this breakthrough win, aiming to climb higher in the standings and challenge the dominant Southern Brave.
Their blend of experienced internationals and rising stars, combined with the backing of high‑profile investors, suggests a promising trajectory for the franchise. Meanwhile, Welsh Fire will need to regroup after the narrow loss, hoping to regain momentum in their upcoming fixtures. The Hundred continues to capture the imagination of cricket enthusiasts across the UK, offering fast‑paced, high‑energy matches that blend traditional skills with innovative formats.
With the tournament now well underway, each game carries significant weight in the race for the coveted final spot, and fans can expect more dramatic finishes, standout performances, and strategic masterstrokes as the competition heads toward its climax.