Birmingham Phoenix managed to edge out MI London in a crucial Hundred women's fixture, ensuring they avoided the dreaded wooden spoon and finished the tournament on a positive note. The match was highlighted by a composed half‑century from Australian star Ellyse Perry, which helped Phoenix claim their seventh place on the table and break a three‑match losing streak. Both sides entered the game with only one win each from the competition, making the encounter a true six‑point showdown.
Phoenix set a modest target of 122 runs after winning the toss and electing to field first. Their early bowling spell was effective, with Jemima Spence and Davina Perrin falling quickly in the powerplay and England internationals Alice Capsey and Emma Lamb dismissed for low scores. Left‑arm spinner Kirstie Gordon made an immediate impact, returning figures of two wickets for 20 runs and keeping the opposition under pressure.
In response, MI London stumbled to 48 for 4, but a partnership between Perry, who was batting for Phoenix, and Pakistan captain Fatima Sana steadied the innings. The duo added 66 runs for the fifth wicket, with Perry scoring a brisk 62 off just 39 balls and Sana contributing 36 off 32. Their partnership not only halted the hosts' momentum but also gave Phoenix a platform to chase down the target with six balls to spare.
Sana was eventually bowled by Nicola Carey when only seven runs were required, handing the win to Phoenix. The chase saw Phoenix open the innings strongly after Lauren Filer dismissed Kira Chathli lbw. Hayley Matthews provided a quick boost, scoring 21 runs off 14 balls and striking four boundaries, but her momentum was short‑lived.
She was caught spectacularly by Perrin off Sana’s bowling, and Melie Kerr fell on the very next ball, caught by Perry at mid‑off. MI London’s middle order continued to crumble; Alice Monaghan was out to an incisive off‑cut from Eva Gray, leaving the side at 47 for 4.
Hollie Armitage and Chinelle Henry attempted to rebuild, putting together a 56‑run partnership for the fifth wicket. Henry, who scored 42 off 33 balls, was eventually caught by Perry off Alana King’s delivery.
The visitors tried to accelerate, with Armitage (31 off 31) and Nicola Carey dispatching King for boundaries, but the total of 120 for 6 fell well short of the required 122. Armitage was the final wicket, bowled by Gray for two runs, as MI London’s campaign ended in disappointment. After the match, Perry reflected on the season, saying, "It's nice to finish on a high. I thought we bowled especially well.
I can't fault our effort the whole way through this tournament; we've given it absolutely everything we can, it just hasn't come off for the most part. To finish well, at home, with a really great atmosphere here as usual, was lovely." In other women's Hundred action, Welsh Fire secured a 15‑run victory over London Spirit at Sophia Gardens. Neither side could progress beyond the group stage, but the match provided entertaining cricket.
Fire’s captain Georgia Wareham anchored the innings with a half‑century, guiding the team to a competitive total of 138 for 7. Grace Harris contributed three wickets for just 15 runs, helping to dismantle London Spirit’s batting line‑up. Early wickets fell as Harris and Marie Kelly were dismissed in consecutive deliveries, followed by opener Amy Jones.
Captain Charlie Dean attempted a recovery, but the Fire’s bowlers kept the pressure, and London Spirit were bowled out for 123 in 99 balls, with Orla Prendergast, Heather Graham and Sophia Smale each taking two wickets. The Hundred continues to offer thrilling cricket across both men’s and women’s formats, with live coverage available on Sky Sports and streaming options on NOW. Fans can follow the latest tables, video highlights, and in‑depth analysis through Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel. The tournament’s final matches, culminating on Sunday 16 August, promise to deliver more memorable moments as teams vie for the championship title.