Birmingham had a very impressive bowling display. Phoenix kept itself firmly in the hunt as The Hundred nears its conclusion by flipping the formbook against Welsh Fire.
Ellyse Perry, the captain of Phoenix, was again the sparkplug, organising her assault brilliantly to defend a modest 121.
She took wickets in consecutive balls to remove Sophie Dunkley and Sarah Bryce, after Charis Pavely had earlier forced Tammy Beaumont to take a thin edge.
After those wickets hindered the Fire’s progress, Hayley Matthews and Jess Jonassen, two international players, combined to salvage the innings at 42 for 3. With Jonassen playing well down the ground and check-driving what would end up being the only six of the Fire’s innings, they put on 46 runs together.
The pressure was on, though, as leg-spinner Hannah Baker scooted a straight one past Jonassen’s attempted reverse sweep with 34 needed from 27 balls.
Daring to give it some air, fellow leggie Katie Levick then supported the dangerous Georgia Elwiss to pick out deep mid-off. She then made a comeback for the penultimate set of five, where she took out Matthews for 35 (38), caught at extra cover trying to clear the infield.
Emily Arlott sealed the match with a composed final set when just 14 were needed.
Earlier in the article, the Netherlands’ right-hander Sterre Kalis, who began the innings cautiously while collaborating with Sophie Devine, went on to smash eight fours on her way to her first tournament half-century.
Their total on a twisting pitch was just enough to ensure that the Phoenix are alive and kicking heading into the tournament’s final week, even though Matthews’s off-breaks (3 for 32 from her full quota) kept the middle-order in check.
The Meerkat Match Hero, Kalis, stated: “It’s true that we had some early difficulties due to the old pitch, and I let the bowlers to bowl to me a little too much instead of going out there and trying harder, but I stayed with it until I eventually got some and felt fine!
“Going up top was something I really wanted this year, so I’m really happy to have the opportunity, and I really appreciate it.”
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“First to Pez Perry, then to the spinners, deserves credit. The bowlers did a fantastic job of restricting them, as it wasn’t the highest total to defend. There are two games remaining. Our victory today was good, and hopefully we can continue competing.”
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