Birmingham Phoenix were skittled for just 64 by Trent Rockets as they slumped to a resounding nine-wicket loss at Edgbaston in the women’s competition in The Hundred.
Phoenix’s total – in which well over half their runs were made by Australia’s Ellyse Perry (39), four batters were out for ducks and their second top-scorer made six – was the joint second-lowest in the competition, behind only their own 54 all out in 2024.
Uncapped Australia spinner Samantha Bates (3-13), compatriot Kim Garth (2-5) and former England all-rounder Georgia Elwiss did the bulk of the damage for Rockets.
Ellyse Perry was the one bright spot on a dismal day for Phoenix
Rockets then cantered to victory in just 31 deliveries, with England’s Sophia Dunkley hitting nine boundaries in an unbeaten 43 from 17 balls and Sophie Luff making 19 not out from nine balls once Australian opener Beth Mooney (4) departed cheaply.
During Phoenix’s dismal batting display, their top three of Davina Perrin (2) Tammy Beaumont (0) and Alice Capsey (1) managed just three runs combined.
Their batters at Nos 4, 5 and 6 – Annerie Dercksen, Jemima Spence and Kayla Reneyeke – then all failed to score, with Phoenix indebted to Perry, who was dropped on nine by fellow Australian Ash Gardner, for avoiding even greater embarrassment.
Trent Rockets Women celebrate a wicket in The Hundred (PA Images)
Bates: ‘Frantic’ warm-up and spin-heavy attack paid off
Player of the Match, Trent Rockets’ Samantha Bates:
“It’s pretty cool to play my first game here with Rockets and get the win on the board. We thought we’d go spin-heavy at Edgbaston and we’re glad that it paid off.
“Kimmy [Kim Garth] bowled really well up front. It was nice that I kind of got the reward, but Kimmy really set the tone for us.
“We also had a pretty frantic warm-up and I think we should stick to that because we fielded brilliantly out there.”
What is happening in The Hundred on Saturday?
It is a four-match day with two games apiece at Headingley and in Cardiff.
SunRisers Leeds host Southern Brave (women’s match at 11am, men’s at 2.30pm), while Welsh Fire entertain MI London (women’s game at 2.30pm, men’s at 6pm).
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