Southern Brave continued their flawless run in this season's Hundred, cruising to a 24‑run triumph over Birmingham Phoenix. The match, staged on the expansive Southampton ground, saw the Brave maintain a pristine four‑for‑four record, while the Phoenix remained anchored at the bottom of the table, still searching for their inaugural win. After electing to field first, the Brave managed to restrict Phoenix to a modest target of 141. The Phoenix’s opening partnership got off to a promising start, reaching 50 runs off 37 balls thanks to solid contributions from Tammy Beaumont and the young Davina Perrin.
Their steady accumulation gave the team a glimmer of hope, and when the strategic timeout was called the scoreboard read 54 for 1, meaning 54 more runs were required from the remaining 30 balls. However, the momentum soon stalled. Alice Capsey, who had already impressed with her bowling earlier in the innings, delivered a decisive blow when she bowled a slower‑ball variation from Lauren Bell that caught the edge of the bat and was taken in the extra‑cover region on her ninth delivery of the spell. The wicket set the tone for the rest of the chase.
Perrin, who had been the standout for Phoenix with a hard‑earned half‑century off 40 balls, survived three catching chances but eventually fell to a mis‑timed lofted shot at a leg‑break from Sarah Glenn. The ball was dispatched straight to Maia Bouchier at long‑on, ending Perrin’s innings and effectively snapping the Phoenix’s hopes. Her dismissal proved to be the turning point, as the chase began to crumble.
Left‑arm pacer Sophie Molineux stepped up, claiming two crucial 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 experienced Ellyse Perry attempted to revive the innings with a pair of long‑handed boundaries, but the effort was insufficient; Phoenix fell short by exactly 24 runs.
The Brave’s batting display was anchored by an explosive powerplay from Lizelle Lee. In just 23 balls she smashed 43 runs, including the only two sixes of the entire match, setting a brisk tempo for the innings. Maia Bouchier, arriving soon after, contributed a quick‑fire 45 off 31 balls, complementing Lee’s aggression with well‑timed shots.
As the innings progressed, Jemimah Rodrigues added vital momentum in the death overs, striking three fours in the final five balls and ensuring the total stayed comfortably out of reach for the opposition. Beyond the immediate result, the match featured several notable storylines from the wider Hundred competition. Recent headlines include SunRisers Leeds eliminating Birmingham Phoenix with a 45‑run win, Phoebe Litchfield recording the fastest fifty in women’s Hundred history, and Sikandar Raza delivering a match‑winning cameo for MI London. The tournament continues to produce dramatic finishes, with Trent Rockets chasing a fifth straight victory and Jos Buttler etching his name into the record books for Manchester Super Giants.
Speaking after the game, Lizelle Lee 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." She praised her teammates, noting, "Our batters did really well at the end to get us up to a good score, and I think that’s what set us apart. Our bowlers are not getting enough credit. They’ve bowled extremely well, they get us out of everything.
Everyone’s gelling pretty well and we seem to be able to get over the line in tough situations. Sophie Molineux as captain is such a calm presence on the field and I feel that is flowing into everybody, and it shows." Looking ahead, Manchester Super Giants will host Trent Rockets on Friday, with the women's fixture slated for a 3 p.m. kickoff followed by the men’s match at 6:30 p.m., both broadcast live on Sky Sports. Fans can also stream The Hundred and additional contract‑free cricket on the NOW platform, though a Chrome browser is recommended for optimal video playback.
Overall, the Brave’s disciplined bowling, strategic field placements, and explosive batting ensured they preserved their unbeaten streak, while Birmingham Phoenix will need to regroup and find a formula that finally converts their potential into a winning performance.