Phoebe Litchfield delivered a spectacular performance, smashing the fastest fifty ever recorded in the women's edition of The Hundred. Her explosive innings propelled SunRisers Leeds to a comfortable chase of Birmingham Phoenix's modest 107-9 total, securing a win in Birmingham and keeping the SunRisers alive in the tournament.
The victory also meant the elimination of the home side, along with London Spirit and MI London, from the competition. Phoenix’s batting woes were on full display once again. The side suffered a cascade of early dismissals, with Kate Cross claiming two wickets after enduring eleven wicket‑less matches in The Hundred. The responsibility of stabilising the innings fell to veteran all‑rounder Ellyse Perry, who rose to the occasion with a brisk 31 off just 22 balls before being caught by Litchfield off the bowling of Jess Jonassen.
Perry’s cameo provided a brief respite, but it was Emma Lamb who truly shone for Phoenix, compiling a solid 47 – her second score above 40 in only her second match of the season. The top order of Phoenix, featuring Davina Perrin, Tammy Beaumont and Alice Capsey, failed to make any meaningful impact, leaving the team heavily reliant on their lower‑order contributions.
In contrast, SunRisers Leeds dominated with a lethal bowling attack. Deepti Sharma’s figures of 3‑11, Sutherland’s tidy 1‑19, Jonassen’s disciplined 1‑15 and Cross’s impressive 2‑14 underscored a collective effort that kept the opposition’s run‑rate in check. The final overs saw the innings wind down, with just 18 runs added and five wickets falling in the last 20 balls, sealing Phoenix’s defeat. Litchfield’s innings was a masterclass in modern limited‑overs batting.
She employed an array of strokes all around the ground – sweeping, ramping, switch‑hitting and driving through extra cover – to keep the bowlers guessing. One of the highlights was a clean straight six struck against her compatriot Perry, a shot that epitomised her aggressive intent. After Bryony Smith fell for 12, Lauren Winfield‑Hill contributed a useful 26, providing solid support while Litchfield continued to dazzle the crowd with her flamboyant style. Speaking to Sky Sports Cricket, the young star reflected on her approach: "You die by the sword at times but putting the pressure back on the bowlers is the way to go in T20 or Hundred cricket.
Momentum in cricket is an amazing thing, as all cricketers know." Her comments captured the essence of her mindset – aggressive, fearless, and keenly aware of the psychological battle that defines short‑form cricket. The match also highlighted the broader context of the tournament. The Hundred’s latest tables show a tightly contested race for the knockout spots, with SunRisers Leeds now firmly in the mix after their decisive win.
The competition’s schedule remains packed, featuring a slew of upcoming fixtures: - Saturday, August 8: MI London vs Trent Rockets at The Kia Oval (women’s 11:00 am, men’s 2:30 pm) - Saturday, August 8: Southern Brave vs Manchester Super Giants at Utilita Bowl (women’s 2:30 pm, men’s 6:00 pm) - Sunday, August 9: SunRisers Leeds vs Welsh Fire at Headingley (women’s 11:00 am, men’s 2:30 pm) - Sunday, August 9: London Spirit vs Birmingham Phoenix at Lord’s (women’s 2:30 pm, men’s 6:00 pm) - Monday, August 10: Trent Rockets vs Southern Brave at Trent Bridge (women’s 3:00 pm, men’s 6:30 pm) - Tuesday, August 11: Manchester Super Giants vs SunRisers Leeds at Emirates Old Trafford (women’s 3:00 pm, men’s 6:30 pm) - Wednesday, August 12: Welsh Fire vs London Spirit at Sophia Gardens (women’s 11:30 am, men’s 3:00 pm) - Wednesday, August 12: Birmingham Phoenix vs MI London at Edgbaston (women’s 3:00 pm, men’s 6:30 pm) - Friday, August 14: Eliminators (women’s 2:15 pm, men’s 6:00 pm) – Reserve Day, Saturday, August 15 - Sunday, August 16: Finals (women’s 2:15 pm, men’s 6:00 pm) – Reserve Day, Monday, August 17 Fans can follow every match through to the finals on August 16 via the NOW streaming platform, which offers contract‑free access to The Hundred and a range of additional cricket content. The tournament’s blend of high‑octane action, innovative formats and emerging talent like Litchfield continues to capture the imagination of cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Looking ahead, SunRisers Leeds will aim to build on this momentum, leveraging Litchfield’s explosive form and a disciplined bowling unit to challenge for a place in the knockout stages.
Meanwhile, Phoenix must regroup quickly, addressing their batting deficiencies and seeking to tighten their middle‑order contributions if they hope to stay competitive in the remaining fixtures. The Hundred remains a showcase for both seasoned internationals and rising stars, and each match adds a new chapter to the evolving narrative of women’s cricket in England.