Birmingham Phoenix vs Welsh Fire

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Welsh Fire vs Birmingham Phoenix at Cardiff (Sophia Gardens) on 13 August (14h30)

Phoenix ‘comprehensively won’ the fourth women’s match of ‘The Hundred.’ Over 300 runs were scored and ten wickets fell, during a top-drawer match with spectacular catches. POTM: Australia’s Ellyse Perry’s half-century, hitting 58 runs (from 31 balls) earned ‘Hero of the Match’ medal for making top-score. Other star internationals Sophie Devine (NZ) hit 48 runs (from 25); and Sophie Molineux (Aus) hit 29 (from 29.) Similarly for Fire, three internationals hit 68 runs between them (Annabel Sutherland, Haley Matthews and Rachel Haynes.) Despite good knocks by skipper Tammy Beaumont (39) and a late cameo by Fran Wilson (20); Phoenix defended their score to secure victory by 19 runs. Skipper Devine said afterwards that it was ‘great to get a first-match win.’ Commentators added that Devine had ‘shown her class.’ Also that it was an ‘expensive day’s’ bowling for Haley Matthews. Match was broadcast via SKY Sports YouTube channel – please see below – with Charles Dagnall, Natalie Germanos (RSA), Simon Doull (NZ) and guest Heather Knight (England’s captain.) Also ESPN-cric-info (Hemant and Ranjith) and other social media. Weather at Sophia Gardens was a hot summer’s day, with clear blue sky 24-30C.

Phoenix innings Playing without Deepti Sharma. Both Joneses were dismissed during the power play. *Off-spinner Claire Nicholas tempted Eve Jones (1) who played-on from an inside-edge. *Amy Jones (2) lofted over Alex Hartley’s head toward ‘long-off,’ and was caught by diving Annabel Sutherland. *Sophie Devine hit 4 ‘fours’ and 3 ’sixes’ from the next ten balls, lifting the score to 60/2 after 30 balls. *Skipper Devine fell to a spectacular catch by Alex Hartley, who dived to catch cleanly from Katie George’s first ball. *Main batting partnership between Australians Ellyse Perry and Sophie Molineux added 82 runs for the fourth wicket. *Just before posting 150, two wickets fell within four balls. *Firstly, Perry swept to Rachel Haynes – an almost identical shot two balls after Haynes had dropped her at ‘mid-wicket,’ from Claire Nicholas. *Secondly, Issy Wong edged to keeper Kathryn Bryce, Annabel Sutherland awarding Wong a golden duck. *Finally, bowler-turned-batter Emily Arlott came down-the-wicket to Katie George’s left-arm seam: taking Phoenix’s past 150 with a ’six.’ *Commentators added that the score was five runs short of last summer’s record ‘166 from Superchargers.’ *For best economy, seamer Lauren Filer (0/20) was said to be ‘pick of the Fire bowlers.’

Fire Innings Playing without Nic Carey. Sophie Molineux was the pick of the Phoenix bowlers, conceding 6 runs during the power play from 10 balls; compared to skipper Devine, whom fellow skipper Tammy Beaumont 39(34) plundered for 14 runs from 5 balls. *Opening partnership with WIndies star Hayley Matthews 20(15) banked 47 runs without loss from the first 30 balls (vs 60/2.) *Matthews was caught by Georgia Elwiss from Scotland’s Abtaha Maqsood’s second ball. *Rachel Haynes 14(7) was short-lived, caught by Gwenan Davies at deep ‘mid-wicket’ from Georgia Elwiss’ seam. *Skipper Beaumont was stumped by Amy Jones, coming-down-the-wicket to opposing skipper Devine. *Annabel Sutherland 34(21) fell to a ballooning catch to Ellyse Perry, having been deceived by Elwiss’ slower ball. *Fran Wilson 20(12) suffered a ‘run out,’ stranded when Katie George lay flat-out at the bowler’s end. *Ellyse Perry threw to keeper Amy Jones who removed Fran Wilson’s bales. *Final five balls each went for ‘singles.’ *Commentators added that despite going down by 19 runs, ‘Fire went on to bag their highest score …. 142/5.’

Summary Phoenix’ win chalked-up the tournament’s highest score so far this year. Star internationals from each side stepped-up, Ellyse Perry top-scoring with a half-century and skipper Sophie Devine hitting 48 runs for Phoenix. Georgia Elwiss took 2/29. For Fire, ‘All-rounder’ Annabel Sutherland scored 34 and took 1/36 with the ball. Claire Nicholas took 2/26 and commentators noted that Lauren Filer had best economy. The match reached its climax when Fran Wilson was unfortunately ‘run out,’ leaving the home team short on fire power. On the day, Sophie Molineux’ death over went for singles, enabling Phoenix victory over Fire by 19 runs.

Result: Birmingham Phoenix Women 161/5 beat Welsh Fire Women 142/5 (target 162) by 19 runs

Phoenix batting: 161/5 (100 balls, 1.61 runs per-ball) Elyse Perry 58(31), Sophie Devine 48(25), Sophie Molineux 25(25), Emily Arlott 12*(7); Fire bowling: Claire Nicholas 2/26, Katie George 1/27, Alex Hartley 1/27, Annabel Sutherland 1/36; Fow 1-3, 2-16, 3-62, 4-144, 5-146;

Fire batting: 142/5 (100 balls, 1.42 runs per-ball) Tammy Beaumont 39(34), Annabel Sutherland 34(21), Fran Wilson 20(12), Hayley Matthews 20(15), Rachel Haynes 14(7); Phoenix Bowling: Georgia Elwiss 2/29, Abtaha Maqsood 1/14, Sophie Devine 1/22; Fow 1-47, 2-71, 3-102, 4-123, 5-137.

Scorecard & Statistics at URL: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-hundred-women-s-competition-2022-1299144/welsh-fire-women-vs-birmingham-phoenix-women-4th-match-1299148/full-scorecard

Match video free-to-air from SKY Sports on YouTube [28m10/3h25m01] at URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWahOnnEa_w

Comment: Previously, when playing for Storm, Wilson and George had proved they can pull-off an unlikely win in a similar situation.