Phoenix secure seventh place as Perry anchors Hundred survival
Ellyse Perry’s composed half-century guides Birmingham Phoenix to a vital victory over MI London, while Welsh Fire close their campaign with a 15-run win against London Spirit ahead of the August 16 finals.
Birmingham Phoenix have secured seventh place in The Hundred women’s competition table, successfully avoiding the wooden spoon following a victory over MI London. The result, confirmed by Sky Sports, halts a three-match losing streak for the hosts and provides a consolation finish to a campaign that had seen the side manage only a solitary victory prior to this fixture.
The match hinged on a composed half-century from Ellyse Perry, who scored 62 not out from 39 balls. Perry anchored the chase after Birmingham Phoenix won the toss and elected to field, setting a target of 122 runs. The hosts were left wobbling at 48-4 after early powerplay wickets, but a crucial sixth-wicket partnership of 66 runs with Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana (36 from 32) stabilised the innings. Perry secured the win with six balls to spare, condemning MI London to a sixth defeat of their campaign.
MI London’s chase of 120-6 appeared manageable at times, bolstered by a 56-run fifth-wicket stand between Chinelle Henry (42 off 33) and Hollie Armitage (31 off 31). However, the visitors could not sustain their momentum, falling to the final ball of the innings as Armitage was dismissed by Eva Gray. Perry’s performance was complemented by strong bowling efforts from Kirstie Gordon and Gray, who made early inroads with left-arm spin and off-cutters respectively.
In concurrent action at Sophia Gardens, Welsh Fire concluded their campaign with a 15-run victory over London Spirit. With neither side able to progress from their group, the match served as a finale for both teams. Welsh Fire captain Georgia Wareham provided the necessary impetus with a half-century, helping her side post a competitive total of 138-7.
London Spirit’s reply was derailed early by a spell from Welsh Fire’s Grace Harris, who took three wickets for 15 runs. Despite a resistance effort from captain Charlie Dean (27), Spirit were bowled out for 123 off 99 balls. Additional wickets were claimed by Orla Prendergast, Heather Graham, and Sophia Smale, who each took two. The competition’s finals are scheduled for Sunday, 16 August.
