‘Southern Brave’ v ‘Birmingham Phoenix’ at Southampton (Ageas Bowl) on 30 July
Receiving the ‘Match Hero’ cap and medal, Danni Wyatt made top score of the day (69* runs off 40 balls.) Wyatt was ‘really pleased’ and gave generous praise to Sophia Dunkley whom she said played ‘exceptionally well.’ Commentators thought cricket was a ‘funny old game’ and conceded that it ‘wasn’t ‘Phoenix’ bowlers best day at the office.’
After the match, commentators added that ‘Brave’ share top place with Trent Rockets, on maximum points with three wins from three matches.
‘The Hundred’s’ 11th match was broadcast live (commentators included Rob Key, Tammy Beaumont and Mel Jones from SKY Sports TV plus cricket social media plus Alan Gardner from ESPNcricinfo social media)
Before the match, commentators interviewed Katie Mack, who was introduced as Australia’s ‘third best batter’ (“behind Villani and Redmayne”) in the Women’s ‘Big Bash League.’ Mack preferred playing in ‘The Hundred,’ having escaped from Sydney (pandemic)‘lockdown’
*‘Brave’ got off to a poor start with a wet outfield making fielding more difficult in a light rain. Seamers Lauren Bell and skipper Anya Shrubsole (1/29) bowled two wides each, in wet and blustery conditions that subsided in favour of better conditions as the match progressed.
*‘Phoenix’s’ opening pair were still standing at the crease after their ‘power-play’ (40/0) but their strike rate halved between the ‘power-play’ and mid-way point. Commentators rightly thought that ‘something had to give’
*Australian Amanda-Jade Wellington (2/16) bowled three match-changing overs, taking 2 wickets for ‘Brave’ (removing both ‘Phoenix openers) and conceding less than one-run-per-ball
*At mid-way, ‘Phoenix’ were 63/2 (compared to ‘Brave’ 78-2) Beyond mid-way, skipper Amy Jones (42* from 26) commanded centre-stage, supported by Katie Mack (31 from 22). Anya Shrubsole was on a ‘Brave team hat-trick’ after dismissing Australians Mack (run out) and Erin Burns (‘leg before’ for a golden duck) during ‘Phoenix’s’ penultimate over (135/4)
*Reversal of fortunes hit ‘Phoenix’ once ‘Brave’s’ batters took back control. Former players-turned-commentators were critical of both skippers’ field settings; but later became convinced – irrespective of field settings – that ‘Brave’ were capable to ‘chase down any kind of total’
*’Brave’s’ opener Smriti Mandhana (5 from 6) was out to Erin Burns’ (1/28) first ball
*Drama struck when Sophia Dunkley earned a reprieve with a ‘free hit’ after being caught behind by Amy Jones, off an Emily Arlott ‘no ball.’
*Thereafter Sophia Dunkley (41 runs from 23 balls) and Danni Wyatt (69* from 40) built a match-winning partnership. Replacing Dunkley, WIndies star Stafanie Taylor (22* from 14) joined Wyatt who was seen to score 44 off 18 balls, to see ‘Brave’ safely across the line launching one final ‘six,’ to see-off Issy Wong
Result: ‘Southern Brave Women’ 142-2 (82/100 balls) beat ‘Birmingham Phoenix Women’ 140-4 by 8 wickets (and with 18 balls remaining)
‘Birmingham Phoenix W’ (BP-W) 140-4 (1.4 runs-per-ball) Amy Jones 42 (26), Eve Jones 33 (29), Katie Mack 31 (22), Shafali Verma 22 (19), Georgia Elwiss 15 (23); ‘Brave’ bowling: Amanda-Jade Wellington 2/16, Anya Shrubsole 29/1; Fow 1-58, 2-63, 3-135, 4-135; ‘Southern Brave W’ (SB-W) 142-2 (1.71 rpb); Danni Wyatt 69* runs (from 40 balls), Sophia Dunkley 41 (23), Stafanie Taylor 22* (14); ‘Phoenix’ bowling: Erin Burns 1/28; Fow 1-7, 2-67
Scorecard at https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-hundred-women-s-competition-2021-1252659/southern-brave-women-vs-birmingham-phoenix-women-11th-match-1252710/full-scorecard
