Shafali's poor form continues as Invincibles thrash Phoenix

India batter Shafali Verma failed to be among the runs once again as Birmingham Phoenix crashed to an eight-wicket loss at the hands of Oval Invincibles in Match 18 of The Hundred Women. This is the third straight loss for Birmingham and their opponents register their first win after suffering two back-to-back losses.

With this win, the Invincibles have six points on the board from five matches and currently lie in third position, while the Phoenix, having won just one in five, are in seventh place.

In her six innings in the tournament so far, Shafali has managed scores of 13, 6, 22, 14 and most recently 16. Her run-a-ball 16 included just one hit to the fence and her wicket put her side further in trouble at 51 for 4 in 49 balls. 

Luckily for the Phoenix, Erin Burns' cameo of 45 off 28 propelled Birmingham to 129 for 9. Fast bowler Tash Farrant bowled brilliantly, finishing with 3 for 23 from her 20 deliveries. The Invincibles used as many as six bowlers and all of them chipped in with at least a wicket. In reply, the opening partnership of 90 off 64 balls between Georgia Adams (42) and Dane Van Niekerk (67*), put Invincibles in a commanding position and eventually went on to win with three balls to spare.

Skipper Van Niekerk, who chipped in with a couple of wickets with the ball, remained unbeaten on 67 off 51 with eight fours and a six punctuating her innings. 

The Invincibles will look to keep the momentum going when they take on Trent Rockets on Sunday (August 8) at The Oval. The Phoenix, on the other hand, play Welsh Fire on Monday (August 9) at Edgbaston.

Brief scores:

Birmingham Phoenix 129 for 9 in 100 balls (Erin Burns 45, Shafali Verma 16; Tash Farrant 3 for 23) lost to Oval Invincibles 133 for 2 in 97 balls  (Dane van Niekerk 67*, Georgia Adams 42; Kirstie Gordon 2 for 20) by 8 wickets.

Player of the match: Tash Farrant