Australian superstar Ellyse Perry led the Birmingham Phoenix with both bat and field to end a 12-game losing streak and beat Trent Rockets in The Hundred.
Perry scored 66 off just 34 balls as Phoenix posted a winning total of 139 for 3. Despite winning the toss, choosing to bat and taking a wicket and a catch, the Rockets fell just short in the run chase.
Nat Sciver Brandt’s 37 innings of defense netted 59 points, but it wasn’t enough for the Rockets, who finished 136-7 but fell three points short to give the Birmingham Phoenix their first win since the 2022 edition of The Hundred.
The Phoenix started well with Sophie Devine and Stelle Kallis putting together an opening partnership of 32 at one run per ball before Alana King had Devine caught LBW to finish with 17 runs.
Perry, along with Kallis, quickly picked up the scoring rate, scoring 41 off the first 20 balls, and the pair put on 102 for the second wicket off just 60 balls.
Amy Jones came to bat with Phoenix at 134 with four balls remaining and was run out off the final delivery. Kallis was left scoreless on 48 as the Rockets reached 140 for their second win of the season.
Perry continued to play in the field, taking the opening wicket of Scrivens (6) before trapping Bryony Smith at long-on with a superb running effort to help the Rockets chase down 58 for two.
Sybar Brunt came to the wicket in top form, hitting his sixth half-century in The Hundred off just 33 balls, but was dismissed three balls later when Charis Pavli (2-20) got out Ash Gardener.
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In the match between Birmingham Phoenix and Trent Rockets, Hannah Baker took a running catch and fell wide to claim a wicket.
The Rockets’ hopes were raised when Heather Graham hit four bounding balls in the closing innings, including a massive six off the 98th ball, leaving them needing two runs to make seven, but Reis was run out off the penultimate delivery for her second run.
Graham needed maximum runs off the final ball to win but could only get two, finishing with a brave no-run 30 from 12 balls as Phoenix celebrated their first run in 13 attempts to claim their first points of the season.
Man of the Match – Ellyse Perry
“I’m proud of my guys,” Perry said, “We played with a lot of spirit today and we played with a lot of positivity, and I’m happy we were able to come out with a close game at the end and get the win.”
“It took us a while to get going but once we got in, the wind was blowing so it was easy to find pockets of the ground and get some momentum with the bat. We felt we could defend the total but they chased well. We were really unlucky that Heather couldn’t bring it home at the end so it was great to keep our composure until the end.”
“I’m excited for the girls. They’re a great team and they’re playing with energy and passion. We don’t have to worry about last season. This is a different team. But other people on the team have been talking about it. I hope people stop talking about it.” [12 in a row] now.”
100 People Live
100 People Live
Thursday, August 1st, 11:00 AM
What’s next?
The Hundred will feature two double-headers on Thursday and all four matches will be shown live on Sky Sports and streamed free of charge on the Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel.
The London Spirit women’s team will be looking to make it three wins in a row when they host the Welsh Fire women’s team, live from 11.30am, before the London Spirit men’s team will be looking to make it their first win of the season against the same opponents at 3pm.
The Southern Brave girls team will take on the Manchester Original girls team at 3pm, before the same two teams take on the boys team at 6.30pm. Stream The Hundred and other sports on NOW.
