The Hundred Women’s 2022, Match 11 Review: Sophie Molinuex's all-round show takes Birmingham Phoenix to yet another win

The 11th game of The Hundred saw the in-form Birmingham Phoenix host Northern Superchargers at Edgbaston. A day before their game, the Southern Brave had dethroned them from the top spot by defeating the Manchester Originals, but the Phoenix put up a brilliant fight in their contest to retain their place on top of the points table, and grab their third win to remain unbeaten in the tournament.

Having been put to bat first by the Superchargers, the Phoenix had a good start when Evelyn Jones and skipper Sophie Devine opened the innings. The latter lost her wicket within the powerplay, but successfully added 19 runs on board off just the 11 deliveries that she faced, which included two fours and a fine six.

Eve Jones was then joined by Amy Jones but here as well, the former took a backseat as the latter did most of the run-scoring. The duo shared a 67-run stand for the second wicket. The partnership was broken when Katie Levick dismissed Eve Jones and her struggle to score runs came to an end. Her composed knock included three fours and a six as she scored 34 runs off 30 deliveries.

Amy Jones walked back soon as Alice Davidson-Richards picked her second wicket of the day. Before walking back to the pavilion, she played a brilliant knock of a 28-ball 48 runs, which was studded with nine boundaries, that took the team’s total to a high. The Australian pair of Ellyse Perry and Sophie Molineux shared a quick 40-run stand towards the end which helped the Phoenix to finish at 153/4, thereby posting a defendable total.

Superchargers batters almost pulled off a miracle, but Phoenix bowlers held the game tight

Northern Superchargers had a terrific start as the opener Alyssa Healy went berserk from the word go, and started piling up runs at a great pace to cover up the chase as soon as possible. They were without the services of their regular opener Jemimah Rodrigues, who had been ruled out due to an injury, and thus Gaby Lewis walked at the top spot.

Healy’s 28-ball 46-run knock came to an end when her Australian counterpart Molineux claimed the price wicket with the help of a brilliant stumping by Amy Jones. The opening duo added 68 runs, with Healy taking charge of the fireworks. Lewis walked off just three deliveries later as Abtaha Maqsood claimed her first.

Laura Wolvaardt and skipper Hollie Armitage played fine knocks and added some crucial runs on board, but could not keep their wickets safe. The game came down to the final few balls when Jenny Gunn hit 12 runs off just four deliveries, but the Superchargers fell short of just five runs and as a result, the Phoenix kept their winning streak alive and bagged their third win of the tournament.