Ellyse Perry produced a match-winning unbeaten half-century as Birmingham Phoenix ended their wait for a first victory of the Women’s Hundred 2026 with a dramatic seven-wicket win over Welsh Fire at Edgbaston.
Chasing 145, Phoenix reached the target with only one ball remaining. Perry finished unbeaten on 68 from 46 deliveries after sharing a crucial 86-run partnership with Alice Capsey, who struck 51 from 29 balls.
The result lifted Birmingham from the bottom of the table and brought an end to a remarkable sequence of 14 unsuccessful run chases in the competition.
Phoenix End Four-Year Wait for Successful Chase
Before this match, Birmingham Phoenix had not successfully chased a target in the Women’s Hundred since August 15, 2022. This previous pursuit came against Trent Rockets, when they chased 117 to win by eight wickets in Birmingham.
Now, the latest victory over Welsh Fire is only Phoenix’s fourth successful chase in 20 attempts in the tournament’s history. It is also their highest successful chase in the Women’s Hundred, surpassing the 131 without loss they made against Welsh Fire at Edgbaston in 2021.
Georgia Voll Anchors Welsh Fire Innings
Welsh Fire posted 144 for 3 after a powerful innings from Georgia Voll. The Australian opener scored 78 from 55 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes as she provided the foundation for the visitors’ total.
Voll and Ella McCaughan made a cautious start, reaching 25 without loss from the powerplay. Voll then increased the tempo against the spin of Alana King and Linsey Smith.
She completed her half-century by launching Eva Gray for six and continued to control the innings until she was caught by Capsey at long-on off Smith from the 91st delivery.
Devine Provides Late Acceleration
Sophie Devine ensured Welsh Fire finished strongly.
The New Zealand all-rounder struck two sixes in the final six balls, clearing the boundary against both Smith and King.
Devine remained unbeaten on 35 from only 18 deliveries, lifting Welsh Fire to a competitive total of 144 for 3.
Phoenix Lose Early Wickets
Birmingham’s chase began poorly when Davina Perrin was dismissed from the fourth ball. She carved Grace Potts towards point, where Georgia Wareham completed the catch.
Tammy Beaumont and Capsey then steadied the innings, helping Phoenix reach 33 for 1 at the end of the powerplay.
Beaumont departed soon afterwards, hitting Wareham’s legspin to deep midwicket and leaving Phoenix under pressure.
Perry and Capsey Transform the Chase
Perry joined Capsey and the pair immediately began rebuilding. They reached their fifty partnership from 30 balls before gradually increasing the scoring rate and taking control of the chase. Capsey played the more aggressive role, finding the boundary regularly and completing an excellent half-century from 29 deliveries.
The pair added 86 for the third wicket and appeared to have put Phoenix firmly on course for victory. However, Capsey was dismissed with 24 runs still required, reviving memories of Birmingham’s previous unsuccessful chases.
Annerie Dercksen joined Perry and helped absorb some of the pressure during the closing stages.
The equation remained tense until Perry took control against Heather Graham. The Australia captain struck 10 runs from two balls, including two important boundaries, to take Phoenix to the brink of victory.
She remained unbeaten on 68 as Birmingham completed the chase with one delivery remaining.
Perry Praises Capsey Partnership
Perry was named Player of the Match for her composed innings and reflected on the importance of securing a home victory.
“It is lovely to have the win at home, amazing atmosphere here today. I thought we did pretty well to restrict the Fire there with our bowling and then [we] just timed it at the end to get over the line.
“The results haven’t been there for us but we’ve had a lot of fun as a group. Today was another cool opportunity and a nice challenge.
“Partnerships are crucial and the way Alice batted today was outstanding. To have the opportunity there to take it deep and have a chance in the last 10. It was a great contest.”
The victory gave Birmingham Phoenix a much-needed boost, while Welsh Fire were left facing a difficult task in their bid to remain in contention for the knockout stages.
