Birmingham Phoenix secured their maiden win in the 2026 edition of The Hundred women's competition in a nail‑biting finish, edging out Welsh Fire with just a single ball left on the clock, while high‑profile investor Jude Bellingham looked on from the stands. Entering the match at Edgbaston, the Phoenix were languishing at the bottom of the table, having accumulated only two points from their opening two fixtures. Their fortunes, however, began to shift the moment Welsh Fire elected to bat first after the home side chose to field. Welsh Fire posted a respectable total of 144 runs from their allotted 100 balls, anchored by a blistering 78‑run innings from Georgia Voll, who struck at a strike‑rate of 141.8, scoring 78 off just 55 deliveries.
The rest of the Fire’s line‑up contributed useful runs, but the target proved to be within reach for a Phoenix side that had been desperate for a breakthrough. The turning point came from the combined firepower of Elysse Perry and Alice Capsey.
Perry smashed a rapid 68 runs without losing her wicket, while Capsey added a valuable 51. Their aggressive batting laid the foundation for a chase that remained tense until the very last over. With three balls remaining, Birmingham still required ten runs to win.
Perry then unleashed a six over deep mid‑wicket, sending the ball soaring past the boundary. On the very next delivery, she struck a well‑timed four through point, sealing a dramatic victory for the Phoenix with one ball to spare. After the match, Perry spoke to Sky Sports, saying, "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.
The results haven't been there for us but we've had a lot of fun as a group. Today was another cool opportunity and a nice challenge. Partnerships are crucial and the way Alice batted today was outstanding. 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 also a star for England's football team and Real Madrid, was present in the crowd for the women's game and will also be in the stands for the men's contest later in the day, which also features Welsh Fire. Bellingham’s involvement with the Phoenix goes beyond mere fandom; earlier this year he purchased a 1.2 percent stake in the franchise, signalling his commitment to the sport and the competition.
Prior to this triumph, Birmingham Phoenix had suffered defeats at the hands of Southern Brave and Trent Rockets, and a rain‑affected match against Manchester Super Giants was abandoned without a result. The win against Welsh Fire lifts the Phoenix to fifth place on the current Hundred table, while Welsh Fire slip down to seventh. Meanwhile, Southern Brave continued to dominate the competition, extending their lead at the summit and positioning themselves as favourites to secure the top spot in the final. The Brave recorded their fifth consecutive win by defeating London Spirit at Lord's, cruising to a five‑wicket victory.
Their bowling unit displayed exceptional control and variation, stifling the Spirit’s 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 Hundred history, trailing only teammate Lauren Bell’s 4‑6 against Welsh Fire last season. With a target of 115, the Brave’s bowlers struck early, with Marizanne Kapp dismissing Lizelle Lee caught‑and‑bowled on the fifth ball of the chase. Kapp then turned the ball over to the in‑form Jemimah Rodrigues, but the Spirit’s total never looked likely to be chased down on a favorable Lord's pitch.
Maia Bouchier top‑scored for the Brave with 46 runs off 38 balls, steering the side close to the finish line. The Brave stumbled briefly, losing Bouchier and Molineux (who fell for 23) with just one run required, the latter caught brilliantly by Deandra Dottin at mid‑wicket.
Nonetheless, the remaining batters saw the match through, clinching victory with seven balls to spare. Reflecting on the match, Molineux, who was named the Meerkat Match Hero, told 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 continues to generate excitement across the United Kingdom, with the league’s schedule packed full of high‑stakes matches leading up to the finals on Sunday, 16 August.
Fans can stream every game, including the upcoming men's fixtures, on the NOW platform, which offers contract‑free access to live coverage and highlights. As the tournament progresses, the Phoenix will look to build on this momentum and climb higher in the standings, while Southern Brave aim to maintain their unbeaten run and secure a place in the championship match.
The presence of high‑profile investors like Bellingham underscores the growing appeal of The Hundred, both as a showcase for emerging talent and as a platform for established stars to engage with a new audience. For those following the competition, the latest tables, squad announcements for the remainder of the 2026 season, and additional video content are available on the official Hundred website and partner streaming services. The blend of fast‑paced cricket, strategic player acquisitions, and celebrity involvement promises to keep fans hooked as the league moves toward its climactic conclusion.