Birmingham Phoenix clinched a crucial win in the women’s segment of The Hundred, ensuring they avoided the dreaded wooden spoon after a hard‑fought encounter with MI London. The match turned into a showcase for Australian star Ellyse Perry, whose calm half‑century steered Phoenix to a six‑run triumph and handed MI London their sixth defeat of a campaign that has been anything but kind. Both sides entered the game with only one win to their name, making the stakes unusually high for a mid‑table clash. Phoenix, desperate to break a three‑match losing streak, found the momentum they needed when Perry, playing a blistering 62 runs off just 39 deliveries, partnered with Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, who contributed a quick‑fire 36 from 32 balls.
Their 66‑run partnership for the fifth wicket proved the difference, allowing Phoenix to post a modest target and ultimately finish seventh on the points table. The hosts elected to chase after winning the toss, setting a target of 122 runs. Early on, they stumbled to 48 for 4, losing Jemima Spence and Davina Perrin in the power‑play and seeing England’s promising batters Alice Capsey and Emma Lamb fall cheaply.
Left‑arm spinner Kirstie Gordon made early inroads, returning figures of 2‑20 and keeping the run‑rate in check. Despite the early pressure, the Phoenix innings regained stability when Perry and Sana steadied the ship.
Their partnership not only halted the collapse but also built a platform that saw the visitors inch towards the finish line with confidence. When the required runs dwindled to just seven, Sana was dismissed by Nicola Carey, but Perry, who had already displayed her class with a composed strike rate, guided the side home with six balls to spare.
After the match, Perry reflected on the performance, 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." The game featured several notable moments beyond the main partnership.
After the toss, Phoenix’s opening bowler Lauren Filer made an early breakthrough by dismissing Kira Chathli lbw. Hayley Matthews tried to inject some momentum, scoring 21 off 14 balls and striking four boundaries, but her resurgence was short‑lived when she was caught by Perrin off Sana’s bowling.
Melie Kerr fell on the very next ball, caught by Perry at mid‑off after a delivery from Phoebe Brett. MI London, meanwhile, struggled to build any meaningful partnerships. Alice Monaghan was clean bowled by Eva Gray’s sharp off‑cut, leaving the side at a precarious 47 for 4.
The lower order, represented by Hollie Armitage and Chinelle Henry, attempted a recovery, adding a 56‑run stand for the fifth wicket. Henry, who scored a quick 42 off 33 balls, was eventually trapped by Perry off the bowling of Alana King. As the innings progressed, Phoenix’s bowlers kept the pressure on, with Armitage and Carey dispatching King for boundaries, but the visitors’ total of 120‑6 still fell short of the target. Armitage, who scored a quickfire 31 off 31 balls, was the last wicket to fall, caught by Gray for 2‑29 on the final ball of the innings.
MI London were left to contemplate an underwhelming season, having failed to secure a win in the group stage and finishing near the bottom of the table. The broader context of the match included a reminder of the ongoing excitement across The Hundred.
While Phoenix celebrated their consolation win, Welsh Fire secured a 15‑run victory over London Spirit in a separate fixture at Sophia Gardens. That game saw captain Georgia Wareham craft a half‑century that propelled Fire to 138‑7, with Grace Harris claiming three wickets for just 15 runs. London Spirit, in contrast, collapsed early, losing two wickets for just two runs and eventually being bowled out for 123.
Fans were encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for up‑to‑date sports news, videos, and analysis, and to stream The Hundred and related content on platforms such as NOW. The tournament’s schedule continued with the final matches slated for Sunday, August 16, promising more thrilling cricket before the season concluded.
Overall, Birmingham Phoenix’s victory over MI London not only provided a morale boost for a side that had struggled for consistency but also highlighted the impact of seasoned internationals like Ellyse Perry. Their ability to compose a chase under pressure, combined with strategic bowling performances, ensured they avoided the wooden spoon and left the competition on a positive note, setting a foundation for future campaigns.