The Hundred Women 2023: Fi Morris picks first-ever five-wicket haul in tournament history

Right-arm off-spinner Fi Morris scripted history by becoming the first-ever bowler in the history of The Hundred Women to grab a five-wicket haul. She accomplished the feat during the match between Manchester Originals and Birmingham Phoenix in Manchester on August 7.

The 29-year-old claimed 5/7 from 16 balls at an economy rate of 2.62, a record across the women's and men's competition. With her excellent bowling spell, she surpassed Marizanne Kapp's 4/9 in 2021. She is currently in the second spot on the list of the leading wicket-takers in the ongoing tournament, with five wickets. For her match-winning performance, she even emerged as the Player of the Match.

 "I knew I'd got the first women's five-for, but I didn't know it was the best in either competition. I think it's probably my best-ever day in cricket, to be honest. How the last couple of years have gone, not playing much in last year's Hundred, to come in and do that first game I'm absolutely buzzing," Morris said in the post-match presentation.

"I got a bit of help from the pitch. Having Sophie (Ecclestone), Wello (Amanda-Jade Wellington), and Mahika (Gaur) bowl so well up front, I kind of had the easy job. All I needed to do was bowl straight, and I seemed to do it alright,” she added.

Manchester Originals beat Birmingham Phoenix by five wickets

Manchester Originals won the toss and invited Birmingham Phoenix to bat first. A remarkable 5 for 7 from Morris, in tandem with skipper Sophie Ecclestone's 4 for 11, helped Originals to bundle out the Phoenix for a paltry 87 runs. Opener Sophie Devine top-scored for Phoenix, scoring 27 off 25 deliveries, including a four and a six. In reply, Laura Wolvaardt’s 38 and Ami Campbell’s 28 powered Manchester Originals to chase down the target and register a five-wicket win. For Phoenix, Katie Levick picked up two wickets.