Birmingham Phoenix vs Trent Rockets at Edgbaston on 15 August (15h00)
With both teams having won their first match, the seventh women’s match of ‘The Hundred’ was billed by commentators as a ‘local Midlands Derby.’ POTM match hero Amy Jones (pictured) who made top score (44* not out) complemented batting partner Ellyse Perry who struck the winning ‘four’ and ‘remained calm’ when the required-run-rate was ‘creeping-up’. Commentators praised bowler Emily Arlott who took a 3-fer (3/19). Match was broadcast via SKY Sports YouTube channel – please see below – with Ebony Rainford-Brent, Natalie Germanos (South Africa), Dominic Cork and Eoin Morgan. Also, ESPN-cric-info and other social media. Weather at Edgbaston was a fine summer’s afternoon, with high clouds and clearing blue sky; but ’not as hot as it has been’ 18-24C.
Rockets Innings Skipper Natalie Sciver. *Bryony Smith 5(6) was caught-and-bowled by Australia’s Sophie Molineux, from a leading edge. *Commentators curse struck just after after Rockets’ main partnership between Australia’s Elyse Villani 33(25) and Natalie Sciver 31(31) chalked-up fifty runs. *By mid-way Rockets were 53/1. *Villani was caught swinging to ‘deep mid-wicket’ by Australia’s Ellyse Perry, from Georgia Elwiss. *Seven runs later, Natalie Sciver was caught by Sophie Molineux from Emily Arlott, failing to find ‘the middle of her bat.’ *The remainder of Rockets’ innings was a procession of wickets.
*South Africa’s Mignon du Preez (2) was short-lived, caught by Gwen Davies diving forward from ’square,’ from Issy Wong. *Abi Freeborn (5) was caught by Georgia Elwiss at ‘mid-off’ on the circle, from Sophie Devine. *Marie Kelly (1) was caught by Sophie Devine running back with both hands held skyward at ‘mid-on,’ from Emily Arlott’s ‘low full toss.’ *Two balls later Australia’s Alana King ballooned a catch to Sophie Devine at ‘mid-on’, who tumbled with ‘commando rolling’ to complete the catch. *Katherine Brunt (9) was caught by Ellyse Perry ‘low to her left,’ from Georgia Elwiss; at 100/8. *Finally Sarah Glenn (5) fell to a ‘yorker’ from Sophie Molineux. *Thereafter Kathryn Bryce and Gwenan Davies scampered ‘ones’ and ’twos’ during the final set-of-five.
Phoenix Innings *Both openers made double figures. *Skipper Sophie Devine (16) was caught by Alana King, pace-off from Natalie Sciver. Eve Jones (11) snicked a bottom-edge to keeper Abi Freeborn from Alana King’s leg-spin. *Main partnership between Elyse Perry 39*(28) and Amy Jones 44*(32) *Commentators complemented the pair on the timing of their shots. *Ebony Rainford-Brent felt that Rockets’ bowling standard slipped ‘downhill’ in the closing stages of the match when they needed to ‘hold their (bowling) line.’ *Strategic time-out was called on 74/2, with 43 runs needed from 30 balls. *Ellyse Perry hit ’six’ to bring up 100 runs, reducing the run-chase to 1 run-per-ball with 15 balls remaining. *Commentators concluded that they’d seen some world-class catching, adding that having a full complement of Australians (post covid restrictions) made a difference to the overall standard of play.
Summary Failing to chalk-up a half-decent score, Rockets staged one significant partnership between skipper Sciver and Elyse Villani. Eight ‘world class’ catches were taken; and eight batters failed to make double-figures. In reply, Phoenix lost both openers, but recovered well without further loss. POTM match hero Amy Jones partnered by Ellyse Perry saw Phoenix across the line to take their second win. Phoenix go top-of-table, equal on points with Southern Brave (4 points), but with superior net-run-rate (0.83 vs 0.64.) After the match, Phoenix skipper (and NZ Commonwealth Games bronze medal skipper) Sophie Devine said she was ‘really pleased,’ and that her job was made easier by players’ (initiative) having ’ownership of fielding positions.’
Result: Birmingham Phoenix Women 117/2 beat Trent Rockets Women 116/9 by eight wickets (with 9 balls remaining)
Rockets batting: 116/9 (1.16 runs-per-ball, 100 balls); Elyse Villani 33(25), Natalie Sciver 31(31) Kathryn Bryce 12*(8); Phoenix bowling: Emily Arlott 3/19, Georgia Elwiss 2/16, Sophie Molineux 2/22, Issy Wong 1/17, Sophie Devine 1/18; Fow 1-18, 2-70, 3-77, 4-78, 5-85, 6-87, 7-88, 8-100, 9-108. Phoenix batting: 117/2 (1.28 runs-per-ball, 91/100 balls) Amy Jones 44*(32) Ellyse Perry 39*(28), Sophie Devine 16(11), Eve Jones 11(21); Rockets bowling: Alana King 1/18, Natalie Sciver 1/24; Fow 1-22, 2-29.
Scorecard & Statistics at URL: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-hundred-women-s-competition-2022-1299144/birmingham-phoenix-women-vs-trent-rockets-women-7th-match-1299151/full-scorecard
Match video free-to-air from SKY Sports YouTube [33m30/3h30m13] at URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9K3A-W7w0w
