Ellyse Perry's Half-Century Guides Birmingham Phoenix to Victory Over MI London

Ellyse Perry produced a composed unbeaten half-century as Birmingham Phoenix defeated MI London by five wickets, ending a three-match losing streak and securing a consolation victory in their final match of the campaign.

Birmingham Phoenix 121 for 5 (Perry 62, Gordon 2-20) beat MI London 120 for 6 (Henry 42, Gray 2-29) by five wickets*

The result saw Phoenix win the battle to avoid the wooden spoon, with both teams having entered the match with just one victory each. The defeat, meanwhile, condemned MI London to a sixth loss in a disappointing campaign.

Chasing 121 for victory, Birmingham Phoenix were in trouble at 48 for 4 after losing Jemima Spence and Davina Perrin during the powerplay. England internationals Alice Capsey and Emma Lamb also departed cheaply, while Kirstie Gordon's left-arm spin caused early problems with figures of 2 for 20.

However, Perry steadied the innings with Pakistan captain Fatima Sana. The pair added 66 for the fifth wicket to put Phoenix firmly in control.

Perry remained unbeaten on 62 from 39 deliveries, while Sana contributed a valuable 36 from 32 balls. Sana was eventually dismissed by Nicola Carey with only seven runs needed, but Perry completed the chase with six balls remaining.

Earlier, MI London elected to bat after winning the toss but struggled to build momentum. Lauren Filer struck early by trapping Kira Chathli lbw before Hayley Matthews briefly lifted the scoring rate with 21 from 14 balls, including four boundaries.

Matthews' promising innings ended when she was brilliantly caught by Davina Perrin off Sana. Melie Kerr was dismissed first ball by Phoebe Brett after she chipped a catch to Perry at mid-off.

Alice Monaghan was then bowled by a superb off-cutter from Eva Gray, leaving MI London at 47 for 4.

Hollie Armitage and Chinelle Henry attempted to rebuild the innings with a fifth-wicket partnership worth 56. Henry made 42 from 33 balls before holing out to Perry off Alana King.

Armitage scored 31 from 31 deliveries, while Carey helped accelerate the innings with boundaries off King. However, MI London could only reach 120 for 6, with Armitage dismissed by Gray from the final ball of the innings.

The total ultimately proved insufficient as Perry anchored Phoenix's successful chase and was named the Meerkat Match Hero.

"It's nice to finish on a high. I thought we bowled especially well today," Perry said after the match. "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."

She added: "Today to finish well, at home, with a really great atmosphere here as usual, was lovely."

The victory gave Birmingham Phoenix a positive finish to their campaign, while MI London were left to reflect on a season in which they managed only one win from seven matches.