Birmingham Phoenix clinched a crucial win in the women’s edition of The Hundred, ensuring they avoided the dreaded wooden spoon as they edged out MI London. The match was highlighted by a composed half‑century from Australian star Ellyse Perry, which helped Phoenix snap a three‑game losing streak and finish the tournament in seventh place.
Both sides entered the encounter with just one win each, making the contest a pivotal one for their respective campaigns. After winning the toss, MI London elected to chase a modest target set by the hosts. Birmingham posted 122 runs for the loss of six wickets, a total that looked competitive given the low‑scoring nature of the format.
Early on, the home side stumbled to 48 for 4, losing Jemima Spence and Davina Perrin during the powerplay, while England internationals Alice Capsey and Emma Lamb were dismissed cheaply. Left‑arm spinner Kirstie Gordon made early inroads, returning figures of 2‑20 and keeping the pressure on the opposition. The turning point came when Perry, already settled at the crease with 62 runs off just 39 balls, forged a vital fifth‑wicket partnership with Pakistan captain Fatima Sana.
The duo added 66 runs, stabilising the innings and pushing the score beyond the halfway mark. Sana contributed a brisk 36 from 32 balls before being bowled by Nicola Carey when only seven runs remained. Perry, displaying her trademark poise, guided the team home with six balls to spare, sealing a 2‑run victory for Phoenix.
After the win, Perry reflected on the achievement, 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 match also featured several notable moments.
MI London’s opening bowler Lauren Filer claimed an early wicket, trapping Kira Chathli lbw. Hayley Matthews tried to inject momentum with a quickfire 21 off 14 balls, hitting four boundaries, but her resurgence was short‑lived as she fell to a spectacular catch taken by Perrin off Sana’s bowling.
Melie Kerr was dismissed on the very first ball she faced, caught by Perry at mid‑off. Further wickets fell as Alice Monaghan was clean bowled by an off‑cut from Eva Gray, leaving MI London at 47 for 4. The lower order, led by Hollie Armitage and Chinelle Henry, attempted a recovery, 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.
In the chase, Phoenix’s bowlers kept the pressure on. Armitage, who scored a rapid 31 off 31 balls, and Nicola Carey both dispatched King for boundaries, but the visitors’ total of 120 for 6 remained below the required par.
Armitage was eventually dismissed by Gray, who finished with figures of 2‑29, and MI London were left to contemplate an underwhelming season. The broader tournament saw other notable finishes. In the final group match, Welsh Fire defeated London Spirit by 15 runs at Sophia Gardens.
Neither side could progress to the knockout stages, but the Fire built momentum thanks to a half‑century from captain Georgia Wareham, posting 138 for 7. Grace Harris claimed three wickets for just 15 runs, while London Spirit struggled early, losing two wickets in the first seven balls.
Despite a fighting effort from captain Charlie Dean, who scored 27, the Fire’s disciplined bowling—featuring two‑wicket hauls from Orla Prendergast, Heather Graham and Sophia Smale—ensured a comprehensive victory. Overall, the women’s Hundred concluded with Birmingham Phoenix securing a morale‑boosting win, MI London ending their campaign on a disappointing note, and Welsh Fire finishing strongly. Fans can relive all the key moments, highlights, and full match replays on Sky Sports and the NOW streaming platform, with the tournament’s finals scheduled for Sunday, August 16. The competition has provided a blend of emerging talent and established stars, showcasing the growing popularity and competitive spirit of women’s cricket in the United Kingdom.