Southern Brave continued their flawless run in this season's The Hundred, cruising to a 24‑run triumph over Birmingham Phoenix at the Southampton ground. The win marked the fourth successive success for the Brave, who have now won all four of their matches, while Phoenix remain anchored at the bottom of the table, still searching for their inaugural victory.
The match began with Phoenix electing to field first, hoping to restrict the Brave to a modest total on the expansive Southampton pitch. The Brave were held to 140 runs for the loss of four wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Lizelle Lee set the tone in the powerplay, blasting a rapid 43 off just 23 balls, which included the only two sixes of the innings. Her aggressive start gave the team a comfortable platform and allowed the middle order to build without pressure. Following Lee’s cameo, Maia Bouchier contributed a brisk 45 from 31 balls, playing a series of powerful shots that kept the run rate ticking over.
The partnership between Lee and Bouchier was pivotal, as it prevented the Phoenix bowlers from settling into a rhythm. In the final overs, Jemimah Rodrigues added valuable momentum, striking three fours in the last five balls and ensuring the Brave posted a total of 141. When it was Phoenix’s turn to chase, they needed 141 runs to win.
They got off to a promising start, reaching 50 runs off 37 deliveries thanks to solid contributions from Tammy Beaumont and the young Davina Perrin. At the midway point, a strategic timeout was called, and the scoreboard showed Phoenix requiring 54 runs from the remaining 30 balls, having lost only Beaumont for 22. However, the chase soon stalled. Alice Capsey, who had impressed earlier with the ball, turned her attention to the bat and took a crucial wicket by edging a slower ball from Lauren Bell to extra cover on her ninth delivery.
This breakthrough sparked a brief resurgence, but Perrin, who had been the backbone of the innings with a half‑century off 40 balls, was eventually dismissed after a mistimed lofted shot that was caught by Sarah Glenn off Maia Bouchier’s leg‑break. Perrin’s wicket proved to be the turning point. The momentum shifted dramatically as Sophie Molineux, the Phoenix captain, struck twice, claiming two vital wickets and bringing her tournament tally to seven.
She worked in tandem with fellow left‑arm spinner Tilly Courteen‑Coleman, whose tight lines forced the Brave batsmen into a defensive stance. Despite a late‑stage surge from Ellyse Perry, who struck two long‑handed boundaries, Phoenix could only add 24 runs to their total, falling short of the target.
The Brave’s bowlers were disciplined throughout the innings. Molineux’s wickets were complemented by effective spells from the other seamers, who kept the run rate in check.
The fielding unit also played a part, taking several sharp catches that halted any potential partnerships for Phoenix. In the end, the Brave’s combined batting aggression and disciplined bowling ensured a comfortable 24‑run margin.
Post‑match, Brave’s captain Sophie Molineux praised her side’s collective effort. "Our bowlers have been outstanding and often don’t get the credit they deserve. They’ve bowled extremely well and have been able to take wickets at crucial moments," she said.
"The team is gelling nicely, and we seem to find a way to finish games strongly, even when the situation is tough." Lizelle Lee, who had been named the Meerkat Match Hero, reflected on the conditions: "I think it was better to bat against the new ball out there. It came off the wicket a bit easier and as soon as the ball got a bit softer, it became harder to play.
Our batters did really well at the end to get us up to a good score, and that set us apart." The victory keeps Southern Brave at the top of the women’s table and maintains their perfect record, while Birmingham Phoenix remain winless after four games. The next fixtures promise more excitement: Manchester Super Giants will host Trent Rockets on Friday, with the women's match kicking off at 3 pm followed by the men’s game at 6:30 pm, both broadcast live on Sky Sports. Fans can also catch highlights and additional coverage on the NOW platform, though a Chrome browser is recommended for optimal video playback. Overall, the match highlighted the depth of talent in The Hundred, with emerging stars like Davina Perrin and established internationals such as Lizelle Lee and Ellyse Perry all making significant contributions.
The Brave’s ability to combine explosive batting with incisive bowling will be a benchmark for other teams as the tournament progresses toward its climax at Lord’s, where the remaining sides will battle for the coveted trophy.