That is it from this game! Birmingham Phoenix Women win and end their 3-match losing streak. They also grab the important 2 points. They will be now going ahead with much more confidence. The action in The Hundred continues as Birmingham Phoenix Men take on Welsh Fire Men at 1830 local (1730 GMT). Do join us for that. Till then, adios and cheers!
Welsh Fire skipper Sophie Luff says that they did not have enough runs on the board. Adds that the back end of their innings does not click and they have talked about it. Goes onto say that this was a must-win game but it was not to be for them.
Birmingham skipper, Amy Jones says that it was brilliant from Shafali Verma and they knew what they could do. Adds that it has been a tough tournament for them. Adds that it meant a lot for them to win their first game at their home ground. Says that they cannot fault the effort and they cannot look for quick fixes in tournaments such as these. Goes onto say that they have absolutely loved it and if things go their way, they might have a chance of going to the semi-finals.
Shafali Verma, the PLAYER OF THE MATCH, says that she was not doing so well earlier but she kept on backing herself. Tells that she slowed down towards the end as she wanted Evelyn Jones to score her fifty. Adds that she is learning in every match.
A sorry day at the office for Welsh Fire Women! Bryony Smith opened the attack but was punished in the first over. That allowed the opening pair to settle in quickly and they started to score runs freely. Nothing helped Welsh's cause as Shafali Verma was too good for them. Wickets didn't come and that hurt them. Verma was in the mood in this game and her attacking mindset took the game away in no time. Evelyn Jones as well started to attack and the bowlers had no answers to the opposition's batting as none of them managed to either get a breakthrough or keep things tight. In the end, it was a cakewalk for Birmingham Phoenix Women and they chased down the target with 24 balls to spare.
Too easy for Birmingham Phoenix Women! Shafali Verma didn't waste any time as she was off to a flying start. Evelyn Jones also supported well from the other end. The duo scored runs freely and Verma played the role of the aggressor. She smacked bowlers all around the park and brought her fifty as well off just 22 balls. Soon, Verma and Jones brought up a 100-run stand. Jones also joined the party later and brought up her half century as well. In the end, the duo made a mockery of the run chase and walked over the target comfortably as Birmingham Phoenix Women won by 10 wickets.
BIRMINGHAM PHOENIX WOMEN
131/0 (15.1)
76* (42)
52* (35)
0/15 (3)
0/16 (1)
Over 16
4
Shafali Verma*
76 (42)
Evelyn Jones
52 (35)
Hayley Matthews
0/31 (3.1)
BPH-W
131/0
4
76
Hayley Matthews to Shafali Verma ,FOUR! Shafali Verma finishes it off in style! Tossed up on middle, Verma heaves it over deep mid-wicket for a boundary. BIRMINGHAM PHOENIX WOMEN WIN BY 10 WICKETS.
Over 15
4
0
1
1
1
Evelyn Jones*
52 (35)
Shafali Verma
72 (41)
Georgia Hennessy
0/23 (3)
BPH-W
127/0
1
75
Georgia Hennessy to Evelyn Jones ,Full toss on off, Jones lifts it over mid off for one.
1
74
Georgia Hennessy to Shafali Verma ,Full on middle, Verma heaves it to deep square leg for a single.
1
73
Georgia Hennessy to Evelyn Jones ,Short ball on middle and leg, Jones works it to deep square leg for one.
0
72
Georgia Hennessy to Evelyn Jones ,Full on off, Jones drives it to mid off.
4
71
Georgia Hennessy to Evelyn Jones ,FOUR! Just 4 needed now and Evelyn Jones reaches her fifty as well. Full outside off, Jones lifts it over the cover region for a boundary.
Georgia Hennessy is back into the attack.
Over 14
0
1
0
1
0
Shafali Verma*
71 (40)
Evelyn Jones
46 (31)
Nicole Harvey
0/15 (3)
BPH-W
120/0
0
70
Nicole Harvey to Shafali Verma ,Loopy ball on off, Shafali Verma defends it out.
1
69
Nicole Harvey to Evelyn Jones ,Flatter ball on middle, Jones works it to deep square leg for one.
0
68
Nicole Harvey to Evelyn Jones ,Tossed up on off, Jones dances down the track and lifts it to mid off where it just falls short of the fielder.