Georgia Wareham's late batting surge and Grace Potts' impressive bowling performance helped Welsh Fire end their Hundred campaign on a high as they defeated London Spirit by 15 runs at Sophia Gardens. Batting first after being asked to do so, Welsh Fire posted 138 for 7 from their 100 balls before dismissing London Spirit for 123. The victory was Fire's third home win in four matches and secured them a fifth-place finish in the competition. Welsh Fire made a strong start, reaching 49 for 1 during the powerplay. Georgia Voll found the boundary regularly early on, while Freya Kemp continued her impressive form after scoring an unbeaten 72 against Sunrisers Leeds on Sunday. Kemp smashed 26 from just 14 balls, including five boundaries, but her dismissal, followed by Sarah Bryce's wicket, slowed the innings considerably. London Spirit's bowlers, led by Grace Harris, Nadine de Klerk and Charis Pavely, kept the scoring under control. Captain Charlie Dean was particularly effective, finishing with 2 for 18 from her 20 balls. However, Wareham ensured Welsh Fire finished strongly. Wareham accelerated dramatically at the end of the innings, scoring a half-century from 34 balls. She smashed 22 runs from her final eight deliveries to lift Fire to a competitive 138 for 7. London Spirit's chase got off to a disastrous start. Grace Harris was dismissed for another single-figure score in a disappointing campaign, while Marie Kelly fell to Potts with the very next delivery. Potts bowled the opening ten balls and claimed 2 for 4 before returning later to remove Amy Jones. At one stage, she had outstanding figures of 3 for 9 from 15 balls. London Spirit attempted to rebuild through Charis Pavely and Charlie Dean, with Pavely hitting three consecutive boundaries against Potts. However, Welsh Fire continued taking wickets and the required run rate steadily climbed. Seren Smale and Deandra Dottin briefly raised hopes of a late fightback, with Dottin hitting Wareham for six. But the target proved too demanding, and Spirit were eventually bowled out for 123. Potts finished with 3 for 23 and was named Player of the Match, while Orla Prendergast, Sophia Smale and Heather Graham claimed two wickets each. Speaking after the match, Potts said the team had benefited from making an early impact with the ball and praised the competitive performances they had produced throughout the season. Although Welsh Fire missed out on qualification, the victory provided a positive finish to their campaign, while London Spirit ended a disappointing season with another defeat.

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.

Nat Sciver-Brunt shrugged off concerns over her ongoing calf injury with a match-winning cameo as Trent Rockets defeated Southern Brave by three wickets at Trent Bridge to book their place directly in Sunday's final at Lord's. Chasing 118 for victory, the Rockets were in serious trouble early in their innings, slipping to 10 for 3 after just 25 balls. However, captain Ash Gardner steadied the innings with a counter-attacking 37 and helped turn the match in the Rockets' favour. Sciver-Brunt was held back until No. 7 as part of a combination of tactical planning and managing her fitness. With 51 runs required from 30 balls, she walked in and immediately changed the momentum of the chase. The England star smashed 32 from just 19 deliveries, including five boundaries. She raced to 25 from nine balls before Georgia Elwiss provided valuable support with a quick 10 off four deliveries. Sciver-Brunt eventually guided the Rockets across the finish line, securing their seventh victory in eight group-stage matches and confirming their place at the top of the table. Asked about her decision to bat at No. 7, Sciver-Brunt said the move was partly tactical and partly designed to manage her body after dealing with a calf problem throughout the summer. "I think it was a bit of both," Sciver-Brunt said. "We've batted quite well as a side, so I was allowing some others to have a little hit, and a bit of body management as well. We wanted to top the table, so looking forward to Lord's." Gardner also backed the decision, describing it as a move made "tactically, for her health". She praised Sciver-Brunt for delivering under pressure, saying the experienced all-rounder "iced the game" for the team. Earlier, Southern Brave were asked to bat first and needed a huge victory margin of around 94 runs to overtake the Rockets and finish top of the standings. They could only manage 117 for 5 from their 100 balls. Maia Bouchier top-scored with 38, while Lizelle Lee made 31 and Laura Wolvaardt contributed more than 20. However, the Brave's top order struggled to accelerate, with none of the leading batters striking above 115. Lee's dismissal, with the score on 49 for 1 after 47 balls, further reduced Brave's chances of reaching the required margin. The innings never gained momentum, and they failed to hit a single six. Georgia Adams was the pick of the Rockets' bowlers, finishing with excellent figures of 2 for 14. The Brave nevertheless made a stunning start with the ball. Lauren Bell, Issy Wong and Tilly Corteen-Coleman ripped through the Rockets' top order, reducing them to 10 for 3 after 25 balls — the lowest powerplay score in the competition's history. Gardner responded with an aggressive 37, including the only six of the match. Her attack on Corteen-Coleman helped the Rockets reach 26, the point at which their place in the final was mathematically secured. Gardner and Bess Heath then added 53 before both fell within three runs of each other, leaving the Rockets needing 51 from 30 balls. That brought Sciver-Brunt to the crease, and the experienced batter produced exactly the response her side needed. Her explosive cameo, followed by Elwiss' composed finish, took the Rockets over the line with three wickets to spare. Southern Brave's defeat was their third in succession. They will now have to go through the eliminator at The Oval on Friday, where they will face the winner of Tuesday's clash between Manchester Super Giants and Sunrisers Leeds. For Trent Rockets, the victory provides valuable breathing space ahead of the final at Lord's, with Sciver-Brunt's fitness likely to remain a key talking point before they attempt to lift the trophy.

Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues has been ruled out of The Hundred 2026 after suffering a hamstring injury, dealing a significant blow to Southern Brave ahead of the competition’s business end. Rodrigues, who joined Southern Brave as a direct signing for £60,000 (approximately US$80,000), has been one of the team’s most consistent performers this season. She has scored 143 runs in six innings and played a key role in helping Brave move to the top end of the Women’s Hundred table. The 25-year-old has also claimed two Player-of-the-Match awards for her performances during the campaign. Southern Brave currently have 20 points, level with Trent Rockets, although Rockets sit above them on net run rate. Rodrigues' absence comes at a crucial stage of the tournament. Brave have two league matches remaining, against Manchester Super Giants and Trent Rockets, with a place in the final at stake. Finishing top of the table would give them automatic qualification for the title match. The injury could also raise concerns for India ahead of the Women's Asia Cup, which begins in the United Arab Emirates later this month. India are scheduled to begin their campaign against Thailand in Dubai on August 30. The full extent of Rodrigues' hamstring injury is not yet known. Her withdrawal from The Hundred could therefore be a precautionary decision designed to protect her fitness and avoid aggravating the injury ahead of India's upcoming international commitments. Southern Brave have moved quickly to replace Rodrigues, signing Australian allrounder Charli Knott for the remainder of the competition. Knott is familiar with the franchise, having previously represented Southern Brave at the Utilita Bowl during the 2024 edition of The Hundred. She arrives in strong form after an impressive domestic T20 campaign in England. Playing for The Blaze in the Vitality Blast, Knott scored 404 runs and claimed 27 wickets during their title-winning campaign. Her all-round ability is expected to provide Brave with a valuable option as they push for a place in the final. For Southern Brave, Rodrigues' injury is a major setback at a critical point in the tournament. However, the arrival of Knott gives the team an experienced replacement capable of making an immediate impact as the race for the Women's Hundred title intensifies.

Phoebe Litchfield produced a stunning batting display while Deepti Sharma starred with the ball as Sunrisers Leeds thrashed Birmingham Phoenix by nine wickets to keep their Hundred women's campaign alive. Phoebe Litchfield smashed the fastest fifty in the history of the Hundred women's competition as Sunrisers Leeds comfortably chased down Birmingham Phoenix's modest total of 107 for 9 at Edgbaston. Sunrisers reached 111 for 1 in just 69 balls, winning with 31 deliveries to spare. The emphatic victory kept their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive, while the result eliminated Birmingham Phoenix, London Spirit and MI London from the competition. Litchfield was the star of the chase, producing an extraordinary 71 not out from only 33 balls. The Australia international attacked the Phoenix bowlers from the outset, combining power and innovation to find boundaries all around the ground. Her innings featured sweeps, ramps, switch-hits and drives through the off side, with a straight six off Ellyse Perry among the highlights. Litchfield's remarkable half-century came at record pace and ensured Sunrisers were always in complete control of the chase. Bryony Smith was dismissed early, but Lauren Winfield-Hill provided excellent support, remaining unbeaten on 26 as Sunrisers raced past their target. Earlier, Birmingham Phoenix once again struggled with the bat. Their top order failed to provide a platform, with several wickets falling quickly as Sunrisers' bowling attack applied relentless pressure. Kate Cross was particularly impressive, claiming two wickets after going 11 consecutive matches without a wicket in the Hundred. Ellyse Perry was once again forced to rescue Phoenix's innings and delivered another valuable contribution, scoring 31 from 22 balls. She appeared to have survived a difficult moment when Annabel Sutherland dropped her at long-on, but Perry was eventually dismissed by Jess Jonassen, with Litchfield completing the catch. Emma Lamb then offered the only other significant resistance, scoring 47. It was her second score of more than 40 in just her second appearance of the season and lifted her to second on Phoenix's run-scoring charts. However, Phoenix's batting problems were once again exposed. Davina Perrin, Tammy Beaumont and Alice Capsey failed to make an impact, leaving too much responsibility on the middle order. Sunrisers' bowling attack deserves significant credit for that pressure. Deepti Sharma was outstanding, finishing with 3 for 11, while Sutherland, Jonassen and Cross also maintained excellent economy rates. Phoenix managed only 18 runs while losing five wickets during the final 20 balls, leaving them with a below-par total of 107 for 9. That score never looked sufficient once Litchfield began her assault. The Australian batter dominated the chase, putting Phoenix's total into perspective with a breathtaking display of stroke-making. Her unbeaten 71 ensured Sunrisers completed a nine-wicket victory with ease. After the match, Litchfield was named the Meerkat Match Hero and explained her aggressive approach. "You die by the sword at times but I think putting the pressure back on the bowlers is the way to go in T20 or Hundred cricket. Momentum in cricket is an amazing thing." The victory gives Sunrisers Leeds renewed hope of progressing to the knockout stages, while Birmingham Phoenix's defeat brought their campaign to an end. With the competition entering its decisive phase, Sunrisers will now look to build on Litchfield's explosive form and Deepti's bowling brilliance as they fight to keep their season alive.

New Zealand captain Melie Kerr produced a remarkable all-round performance as MI London secured their first victory of the season with a thrilling three-run win over London Spirit in The Hundred Women's competition at Lord's. Kerr's unbeaten 69 rescued MI London from a disastrous start of 23 for 5 and later 64 for 8, guiding the visitors to a competitive total of 122 for 9. She then played a decisive role with the ball as MI London successfully defended the modest target, restricting London Spirit to 119 for 8 in a nail-biting finish. The victory ended MI London's winless run and brought them level with London Spirit on six points, although both teams remain effectively out of the race for the knockout stage due to their inferior net run rates. After being asked to bat first, MI London endured a disastrous start as London Spirit's pace attack, led by Marizanne Kapp and Katie George, reduced them to 14 for 2 in the opening exchanges. Spinner Charlie Dean then ripped through the middle order with an outstanding spell of 3 for 26, leaving MI London reeling at 23 for 5. With wickets tumbling around her, Kerr held the innings together with a composed yet attacking knock. She found brief support from Chinelle Henry before taking control of the innings herself, accelerating brilliantly in the closing stages. Kerr struck four sixes, including the first six of her Hundred career, as MI London collected 55 runs from the final 25 balls to post a defendable total. In reply, London Spirit struggled to build momentum against a disciplined MI London bowling attack. Grace Harris, Marie Kelly and Amy Jones all fell early, reducing the home side to 36 for 3 and placing the chase under immediate pressure. Charlie Dean and Marizanne Kapp steadied the innings before Dean was dismissed, while Kapp and Nadine de Klerk added a valuable partnership that briefly swung the contest in Spirit's favour. The pair guided the score to 93 before Kerr claimed the crucial wicket of Kapp, who chipped a catch to midwicket. The pressure intensified as de Klerk was dismissed shortly afterwards, despite receiving an earlier reprieve. Deandra Dottin attempted a late rescue with two successive boundaries, but MI London held their nerve to seal a dramatic three-run victory. Speaking after the match, Kerr praised her team's resilience in difficult conditions. "It was pleasing to get a win today and a great game for the crowd in the London derby," Kerr said. "We showed maturity and mental toughness. The wicket was tricky, and once we got past 100, everything else was a bonus. Reaching 120 was a great effort." The thrilling contest followed an equally dramatic tied encounter between the two sides earlier in the season and provided another memorable chapter in the London rivalry. For MI London, the hard-fought victory finally ended their wait for a first win, while London Spirit's struggles at Lord's continued with a sixth consecutive home defeat across two seasons.

Sophia Dunkley continued her remarkable form with a scintillating half-century as Trent Rockets climbed to the top of the Women's Hundred standings with a comfortable six-wicket victory over Birmingham Phoenix. Rockets chased down Birmingham's total of 122 for 7 with 16 balls to spare, securing their fourth consecutive win and strengthening their position in the race for the knockout stages. Dunkley once again led the charge, producing a superb 65 off just 37 balls in another match-winning performance. The England batter, who has been one of the standout performers of this year's tournament, extended her lead as the competition's highest run-scorer while also overtaking teammate Nat Sciver-Brunt to become the Women's Hundred's all-time leading run-getter. Dunkley's innings combined elegant strokeplay with explosive power. She regularly pierced the field with deft cuts and clever deflections before shifting gears with two towering sixes off Australian leg-spinner Alana King, including a 76-metre strike over midwicket. She reached her half-century in just 26 balls, underlining her dominance. Despite losing Nat Sciver-Brunt for 24 and Ash Gardner for a first-ball duck in consecutive deliveries with the score on 82, Rockets never lost control of the chase. Dunkley continued to dictate terms with intelligent shot selection, expertly exploiting field changes before eventually falling for 65 while attempting another big hit off Alice Capsey. By then, the result was all but sealed, with Sophie Luff finishing the chase in style through a series of boundaries. Earlier, Birmingham Phoenix struggled to build momentum after being asked to bat. Davina Perrin made a lively start, scoring 18 during the powerplay, but her dismissal triggered another batting collapse for the hosts. Alice Capsey's difficult campaign continued as she was bowled for 1 by Charley Phillips, while captain Ellyse Perry was stumped after being beaten by fellow Australian Ash Gardner. Tammy Beaumont was then run out following a direct hit from Dunkley, leaving Phoenix in trouble at 55 for 4. Emma Lamb and Annerie Dercksen provided much-needed resistance with a 45-run partnership. Making her first appearance of this year's tournament, Lamb anchored the innings with a composed 45, showcasing a variety of sweeps, scoops and drives to keep the scoreboard moving. However, Kim Garth broke the stand by dismissing both set batters and finished with impressive figures of 4 for 23, ensuring Phoenix could only manage a below-par total of 122 for 7. With Dunkley in outstanding touch, the target never appeared sufficient. Rockets comfortably completed the chase, while Birmingham suffered their third defeat in five matches, leaving their hopes of reaching the knockout stage under serious pressure. Named the Meerkat Match Hero, Dunkley credited the team's fearless approach with the bat and disciplined bowling for their continued success. "I just try and go out and play with freedom. Having such a good batting line-up gives us a lot of belief, and it's just nice to go out there and play," Dunkley said. "We're so brave with the bat and we just keep taking the game on. That kind of aggression has been really good, and the bowlers are really tight, so all-round it's another really good performance."

Ireland allrounder Orla Prendergast delivered a match-winning performance with the ball as Welsh Fire secured a tense three-wicket victory over Manchester Super Giants in the Women's Hundred at Emirates Old Trafford, strengthening their chances of reaching the knockout stage. Prendergast, who joined Welsh Fire as a replacement for injured captain Sophie Devine, produced the best bowling figures of the Women's Hundred season with 4 for 18, helping dismiss three of Manchester's top four batters within the opening 15 deliveries. After opting to bowl first, Welsh Fire produced a disciplined bowling display to restrict Manchester Super Giants to 85 for 9 from their 100 balls. Although the hosts managed to collect 14 runs from the final six deliveries, the total proved well below par. Manchester's innings began brightly when Smriti Mandhana launched Grace Potts for a six early in the innings. However, Prendergast quickly turned the tide by removing Mandhana and Paige Scholfield, leaving the Super Giants struggling before they had reached 40. The pressure was maintained throughout the innings by Fire's bowling unit. Sophia Smale conceded just nine runs from her 20 balls, while captain Georgia Wareham gave away only 13 runs. Heather Graham also impressed, claiming 2 for 19 as Manchester's batting lineup failed to build any meaningful partnerships. Only a late unbeaten 18 from Ryana MacDonald-Gay, featuring three boundaries, helped the Super Giants push their total beyond 80. Chasing a modest target of 86, Welsh Fire made a steady start through tournament leading run-scorer Georgia Voll and Sarah Bryce, who both scored 16. Captain Wareham then injected momentum into the chase, striking three boundaries in her first six deliveries. However, England spinner Sophie Ecclestone sparked a dramatic collapse by dismissing Freya Kemp and Prendergast in successive deliveries before removing Wareham, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 14. Meg Lanning played a key role in the field, taking three catches. The chase became tense after Grace Thompson was run out and Niamh Holland was bowled by Kathryn Bryce, reducing Fire to seven wickets down with victory still within Manchester's reach. Rhianna Southby steadied the innings with two timely boundaries before Heather Graham, who also struck the winning runs in Fire's previous match, sealed the victory once again with nine balls remaining. The win leaves Welsh Fire firmly in the race for the playoffs, while Manchester Super Giants remain just two points ahead in third place, thanks largely to the points earned from their rain-abandoned fixture against Birmingham Phoenix. Reflecting on the victory, Wareham praised her side's resilience despite a nervy chase. "There's a lot of help out there for me as captain. Meg Lanning knows exactly how to squeeze a game and make it difficult for the opposition. We had a few mistakes with the bat, but they were forced by the pressure they created. We'll take the win, learn from it and move forward. The crowd and atmosphere were fantastic," Wareham said.

Welsh Fire pulled off a dramatic last-ball victory over previously unbeaten Southern Brave in The Hundred, keeping their playoff hopes alive with a thrilling win at Sophia Gardens. Heading into the contest, Welsh Fire were sixth in the standings and without regular captain Sophie Devine, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a calf injury. Facing an unbeaten Southern Brave side, Fire produced a spirited performance to hand the league leaders their first defeat of the season. Southern Brave captain Sophie Molineux became the first skipper to choose to bat first in this year's women's competition, but her side struggled to build momentum on a turning surface. The opening pair departed inside the first 16 balls before Laura Wolvaardt and Jemimah Rodrigues steadied the innings with a cautious partnership. Despite their efforts, Brave never fully accelerated and finished on 121 for 5, a total that appeared competitive given the challenging batting conditions. Georgia Voll briefly became the tournament's leading run-scorer before falling for 11, while Tilly Corteen-Coleman impressed with two key wickets. Welsh Fire also kept the pressure on through disciplined bowling, limiting the visitors to a modest score. Chasing 122, Welsh Fire found themselves under pressure against Southern Brave's renowned bowling attack. The dismissal of Orla Prendergast and Georgia Wareham left the hosts needing 52 runs from the final 38 balls, with the visitors seemingly in control. Debutant Grace Thompson injected fresh momentum with a quickfire six and four before her dismissal, setting the stage for an exciting finish. As the equation tightened, young batter Niamh Holland played a fearless knock, striking crucial boundaries with sweeps and drives to keep Fire in the contest. With three runs required from the final two deliveries, a missed run-out opportunity proved costly for Southern Brave after wicketkeeper Lee dropped the ball, allowing the scores to level. Needing just one run from the final ball, Heather Graham calmly drove Lauren Bell through the infield to seal a memorable victory and spark jubilant celebrations among the home crowd. Graham, who was named Meerkat Match Hero, praised her batting partner after the match. "For Niamh to come in at the end, run really well with me, and get a few boundaries away herself, the win is more for those guys than me," Graham said. "I've played for a lot of years and been in plenty of tight games, so you rely on those experiences to help get you over the line." The dramatic victory ended Southern Brave's perfect start to the season while giving Welsh Fire a vital boost in their bid to reach the knockout stages of The Hundred.

Ellyse Perry produced a captain's knock with an unbeaten 68 to lead Birmingham Phoenix to a thrilling seven-wicket victory over Welsh Fire at Edgbaston, securing the team's first win of The Hundred 2026 campaign. Chasing 145 for victory, Perry remained calm under pressure, finishing with 68 not out off 46 deliveries and sharing a crucial 86-run partnership for the third wicket with Alice Capsey, who struck a rapid 51 from just 29 balls. The experienced Australian sealed the contest in style by smashing Heather Graham for 10 runs in the final two deliveries she faced, taking Phoenix home with one ball to spare. The victory lifted Birmingham Phoenix off the bottom of the standings and ended their wait for a first win of the season. Earlier, Welsh Fire posted a competitive 144 for 3, built around an impressive innings from Georgia Voll. After a cautious start alongside Ella McCaughan, Voll shifted gears to dominate the bowling attack, bringing up her half-century with a six off Eva Gray. She eventually scored 78 from 55 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes before falling to Linsey Smith, with Alice Capsey taking the catch at long-on. Sophie Devine provided a powerful finish to the innings, remaining unbeaten on 35 from just 18 balls. The New Zealand all-rounder struck two sixes in the closing deliveries to lift Welsh Fire to a challenging total. Birmingham Phoenix's chase began on a shaky note as Davina Perrin departed in the fourth ball of the innings. Tammy Beaumont and Capsey steadied the innings with a useful stand before Beaumont was dismissed by Georgia Wareham. Captain Perry then joined Capsey at the crease and transformed the chase. The pair added 86 runs, reaching their fifty-run partnership in just 30 balls and putting the hosts firmly in control. Phoenix were briefly tested when Capsey fell with 24 runs still required, raising hopes of a Welsh Fire comeback. However, Annerie Dercksen supported Perry during the tense closing stages before the veteran all-rounder struck the decisive boundaries to complete Birmingham's highest successful chase in the competition and end a long wait for victory. Speaking after being named the Meerkat Match Hero, Perry expressed her delight at the team's breakthrough success. "It is lovely to have the win at home and the atmosphere here today was amazing. I thought we did well to restrict the Fire with the ball and then timed the chase nicely to get over the line," Perry said. "The results haven't gone our way so far, but we've had a lot of fun as a group. Today was another great opportunity and a nice challenge. Partnerships are crucial, and the way Alice batted was outstanding. It was great to take the game deep and finish it in the final stages." The defeat leaves Welsh Fire with work to do in the race for the knockout stages, while Birmingham Phoenix will hope the hard-fought victory marks a turning point in their campaign.

Southern Brave continued their unbeaten run in The Hundred Women's competition with a five-wicket victory over London Spirit at Lord's, extending their lead at the top of the standings and strengthening their bid for a direct place in the final. Captain Sophie Molineux starred with the ball, producing a remarkable spell of 3 for 7 from her 20 deliveries as Southern Brave restricted London Spirit to 114 for 8. Her figures rank among the most economical bowling performances in the tournament's history and laid the foundation for Brave's fifth consecutive victory. Reflecting on the performance, Molineux credited the team's spin attack for exploiting the conditions. "The pitch had a little bit in it for the spinners. I thought Tilly bowled really well from that top end as well and Glenny played a massive role there in the middle doing what she does best," she said after the match. Asked to bat first, London Spirit struggled to gain momentum against a disciplined Brave bowling attack. Molineux struck early to dismiss Amy Jones and Marie Kelly, while Sarah Glenn removed Grace Harris and Sterre Kalis to keep the hosts under constant pressure. South African all-rounders Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk attempted to rebuild the innings with a 27-run partnership, but scoring remained difficult against Southern Brave's tight bowling. Kapp made 34 from 27 balls before falling to Tilly Corteen-Coleman, while de Klerk provided late resistance with 38, including two sixes off Glenn, before she too was dismissed. London Spirit finished on 114 for 8 after failing to accelerate in the closing stages. Chasing 115, Southern Brave lost opener Lizelle Lee early when Kapp claimed a sharp caught-and-bowled dismissal. The South African seamer struck again to remove the in-form Jemimah Rodrigues, briefly giving Spirit hope. However, Maia Bouchier anchored the chase with a composed 46 off 38 deliveries, while Molineux contributed a valuable 23 as the visitors steadily moved towards the target. Although Brave lost both set batters with just one run required—including Molineux, who was brilliantly caught by Deandra Dottin at midwicket—they crossed the finish line with seven balls to spare. The victory keeps Southern Brave firmly in control at the top of the table with five wins from five matches and makes them strong favourites to secure the first direct berth in The Hundred final. For London Spirit, the defeat leaves them with just one win from their opening four matches. While their hopes of reaching the knockout stage remain alive, they face increasing pressure as the tournament enters its second half.

Ellyse Perry produced a captain's innings to guide Birmingham Phoenix to a dramatic seven-wicket victory over Welsh Fire in The Hundred at Edgbaston, securing the hosts' first win of the season with just one ball remaining. Chasing a target of 145, Perry remained unbeaten on 68 from 46 deliveries and shared a match-defining 86-run partnership for the third wicket with Alice Capsey, who struck a fluent 51 off 29 balls. With Phoenix needing 10 runs from the final two deliveries, Perry held her nerve by smashing Heather Graham for a boundary and a six to seal the victory in thrilling fashion. Earlier, Welsh Fire posted 144 for 3, thanks largely to an impressive 78 off 55 balls from Georgia Voll. After a cautious start during the powerplay alongside Ella McCaughan, Voll accelerated against the Phoenix spinners and reached her half-century with a six off Eva Gray. Her innings featured nine boundaries and two sixes before she was caught at long-on by Capsey off Linsey Smith. Sophie Devine provided a late flourish for the visitors, blasting an unbeaten 35 from just 18 balls, including two sixes in the final over, to push Welsh Fire to a competitive total. Phoenix's chase began on a shaky note as Davina Perrin fell in the opening set, while Tammy Beaumont departed soon after making a steady contribution. However, Capsey counterattacked with an aggressive knock before combining with Perry to swing the momentum in Phoenix's favour. The pair added their fifty partnership in only 30 balls, putting the hosts firmly on course for victory. Capsey's dismissal with 24 runs still required briefly revived Welsh Fire's hopes, but Perry remained composed. After Annerie Dercksen helped steady the chase, the Australian veteran finished the contest in style with two decisive blows at the death. The victory lifted Birmingham Phoenix off the bottom of the standings and ended their winless start to the campaign, while Welsh Fire's hopes of progressing in the competition suffered a significant setback. Named the Meerkat Match Hero, Perry praised her side's resilience after the match. "It is lovely to have the win at home. The atmosphere here today was amazing," Perry said. "I thought we did pretty well to restrict the Fire with our bowling and then timed the chase well to get over the line." "The results haven't been there for us, but we've had a lot of fun as a group. Partnerships are crucial, and the way Alice batted today was outstanding. It was great to take the game deep and come through in the end. It was a great contest." Phoenix's long-awaited first victory, achieved in front of part-owner Jude Bellingham at Edgbaston, could provide the momentum they need as the competition enters its decisive phase.