Birmingham’s bowling display was inspirational. In order to stay in the running as The Hundred nears its conclusion, Phoenix turned the tables on Welsh Fire.
Phoenix captain Ellyse Perry was again the spark, using her attack brilliantly to defend a modest 121 after Charis Pavely had early forced Tammy Beaumont to take a thin edge. Perry then claimed wickets in consecutive balls to dismiss Sophie Dunkley and Sarah Bryce.
The Fire’s momentum was halted by those wickets, but Hayley Matthews and Jess Jonassen, two international players, combined to save the innings at 42 for 3. Together, they scored 46 runs, with Jonassen displaying excellent downfield play and check-driving what would end up being the Fire’s lone six-run innings.
However, leg-spinner Hannah Baker slid a straight one past Jonassen’s attempted reverse sweep with 34 needed from 27 balls, and the pressure was on.
After encouraging the dangerous Georgia Elwiss to pick out deep mid-off, fellow leggie Katie Levick dared to give it some air. She then came back for the last set of five, when she claimed the crucial scalp of Matthews for 35 (38), caught at extra cover seeking to clear the infield.
Emily Arlott’s nerveless final set sealed the victory when just 14 were required.
The Netherlands’ right-hander Sterre Kalis, who began cautiously in tandem with Sophie Devine before unleashing eight fours on route to her first half-century of the tournament, kept the Phoenix’s innings together earlier in the article.
The Phoenix middle-order was kept in check by Matthews’s off-breaks (3 for 32 from her full quota), but their total on a twisting pitch was just plenty to guarantee that they would be in the hunt heading into the tournament’s last week.
“Obviously we struggled a bit at the start on a used pitch and I probably let the bowlers bowl to me a bit too much, rather than getting out there with more intent,” said Kalis, who was dubbed the Meerkat Match Hero. “But I stuck around and finally got some away and felt alright!”
“I’m thrilled to have had the chance to enter the upper class; this year, I truly wanted it, therefore I’m grateful for the opportunity.
“First, Pez Perry deserves credit, followed by the spinners. Since it wasn’t the greatest score to defend, the bowlers did a fantastic job of keeping them at bay. There are two games left. We had a successful victory today, and maybe we can continue competing.”
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