Brave Keep Perfect Record Intact
Southern Brave remain the team to beat in The Hundred women's competition after cruising to a fourth straight victory, this time dismissing Birmingham Phoenix by 24 runs at a sun-drenched Utilita Bowl. It was a performance that underlined exactly why Brave are favourites with most bookmakers to lift the trophy — clinical with the bat, disciplined with the ball, and ruthless when the moment demanded. This result will only shorten their outright odds further, and rightly so.
Bouchier and Lee Give Brave the Platform
Put into bat, Brave wasted little time in making the Phoenix bowlers pay. Maia Bouchier and Lizelle Lee combined superbly at the top of the order, accumulating 68 runs together before either side could break the stand. Bouchier was particularly eye-catching, hitting 45 off just 31 deliveries in a knock full of crisp timing and positive intent. Lee contributed a measured 43 to complement her partner's more aggressive approach.
The middle portion of the innings did slow somewhat. Laura Wolvaardt, so often a fluent presence at number three, looked unusually uncomfortable against the spin of Alana King and was eventually stumped for 11 from 15 balls — a rare off day for one of the world's best. However, Jemimah Rodrigues provided a welcome late injection of energy, finishing unbeaten on 18 to help Brave post 140-3 from their 100 balls. Paige Filer was Phoenix's standout bowler, returning figures of 1-22.
Phoenix Chase Falls Flat After Promising Start
Birmingham Phoenix gave themselves every chance early in their reply. Davina Perrin and Tammy Beaumont provided a solid foundation, stitching together a 73-run opening partnership that kept Phoenix very much in the hunt. Beaumont fell for 22, caught by none other than Rodrigues off the bowling of Tilly Corteen-Coleman — a moment that proved pivotal. Coming shortly after the halfway stage of the innings, the dismissal took the wind out of Phoenix's sails at precisely the wrong time.
Perrin battled on admirably, eventually making 52 from 43 balls in what was a fighting innings, though she was ultimately caught off Lauren Bell. Alice Capsey, who Phoenix will have been looking to for a late flourish, departed for just eight. Home skipper Charlotte Molineux then delivered the knockout blow with two wickets in successive deliveries, removing Annerie Dercksen and Jemima Spence to effectively end the contest. Bell (1-16) and Corteen-Coleman (1-19) were both admirably economical throughout, leaving Phoenix stranded on 116-5.
Table Topping Brave Pull Clear of the Pack
From a tactical standpoint, Brave's bowling unit looks exceptionally well balanced. Molineux finished with 2-24 from her allocation, and the combination of seam and spin gave Phoenix's batters precious little rhythm from the moment Beaumont departed. As a former coach, I've seen plenty of sides crumble once a key partnership is broken at the halfway stage — and that's exactly what unfolded here.
The win moves Brave six points clear of second-placed Manchester Super Giants at the top of the standings, while Phoenix sit rooted to the bottom having claimed two wins and a no-result from their opening three matches. With momentum firmly on their side and the depth to handle any conditions, Brave look the complete package in this competition. Any punters who backed them early in the outright market will be feeling very confident indeed heading into the business end of the tournament.
