Ellyse Perry Seals Birmingham Phoenix’s First Win

Ellyse Perry was the hero at Edgbaston as Birmingham Phoenix rose out of last place and won their first game of the season, defeating Welsh Fire with one ball to spare.

Ellyse Perry finished on 68 not out off 46 balls, having shared a superb third-wicket stand of 86 with Alice Capsey (51 off 29), before striking Heather Graham for 10 in two balls at the death to help Phoenix win.

Earlier in the piece, Georgia Voll’s stunning knock of 78 from 55 balls was the backbone of the Fire innings, setting Birmingham Phoenix a mark of 145.

Voll put her foot down after a poor start on the powerplay, during which she and Ella McCaughan took the score to a run-a-ball 25 for 0. She began by testing Alana King and Linsey Smith’s spin, before reaching 50 with a maximum off Eva Grey.

Voll struck nine fours and two sixes in total before being caught at long-on by Capsey off Smith’s 91st delivery of the innings.

Sophie Devine then took over and finished with a flourish. The strong Kiwi cleared the ropes twice in the final six balls, against Smith and then King, to finish 35 not out from 18 balls and rocket the visitors to 144 for 3.

Phoenix, overseen by part-owner Jude Bellingham, were looking for their first victory of the season, but they got off to a shaky start, losing Davina Perrin fourth ball as she cut Potts to Georgia Wareham at point.

Tammy Beaumont and Capsey advanced the score to 33 for 1 after the powerplay, but Phoenix lost Beaumont shortly after when she holed out to deep midwicket off Wareham’s leg spin.

Capsey was joined by skipper Ellyse Perry, who turned the attack back on the Fire bowlers.

They reached 50 in 30 balls and then began to free their arms as they accelerated towards their goal.

The game appeared to be in the hosts’ hands, but with a record chase in sight – and Phoenix’s first in 14 attempts – Capsey fell with 24 minutes remaining, and nerves began to fray.

Annerie Dercksen joined Perry and took some early pressure before handing over to the Australian great, who hit two late goals to give Phoenix a well-deserved maiden win and leave Welsh Fire with a lot of work to do to advance in the league.

Ellyse Perry, the Meerkat Match Hero, stated, “It’s great to win at home, and there’s an amazing atmosphere here today.” “I thought we did pretty well to restrict the Fire there with our bowling and then [we] simply timed it at the end to get over the line.

“We haven’t had the desired results, but we’ve had a great time as a group. “Today was a great opportunity and challenge. “Partnerships are essential, and Alice’s performance today was remarkable.

To have the opportunity to dig deep and have a shot in the final ten. It was an excellent contest.”