Ellyse Perry inspires Phoenix to their first victory since 2022 which went down to the final set following a fine late innings by Heather Graham
Trent Bridge: Birmingham Phoenix 139-3, Trent Rockets 136-7 - Birmingham Phoenix won by three runs
Australian superstar Ellyse Perry starred with the bat and in the field as Phoenix ended their 12-match losing streak to beat the Trent Rockets in The Hundred.
On a sunny afternoon in Nottingham, Birmingham Phoenix won the toss and chose to bat, making a steady start, with Sophie Devine and Sterre Kalis going at a run a ball for an opening partnership of 32. The introduction of Alana King saw the first breakthrough for the Rockets, trapping Sophie Devine lbw for 17.
That brought Phoenix captain Perry to the crease who proceeded to quickly up the run rate alongside Kalis. Perry raced to 41 from her first 20 balls and was making the most of the batting conditions, whilst also riding some luck in being dropped on the boundary, in what ended up being an impressive 66 from 34 balls.
Her partnership with Kalis put on 102 from 60, including 11 fours and four sixes, with every maximum coming from the bat of Perry.
Amy Jones arrived at the crease with Phoenix on 134 with four balls to go, and with Kalis, scrambled five more runs to leave the Phoenix innings at 139 from their 100 balls, with Jones being run out on the final delivery. That left Kalis on 48 not out, with Phoenix setting a competitive but chasable total.
Heather Graham gave the Rockets hope with a late salvo (ECB/ECB via Getty Images)
Perry remained in the action in the field, firstly taking the wicket of Scrivens (6) and then catching Bryony Smith with a fantastic running effort at long-on, with Rockets at 58 for 2.
Nat Sciver-Brunt came to the wicket in fine form and looked composed from the outset, reaching her sixth half-century in The Hundred with a powerful lofted drive off Hannah Baker, off just 33 balls.
Rockets looked well in contention at that point but the demise of Ash Gardener, and the Sciver-Brunt three balls later dragged Phoenix back into the game.
Rockets needed 27 from the last 10 balls but the game wasn't done yet.
Heather Graham hit four boundaries, including a huge six off the 98th ball, to leave Rockets needing seven from the last two balls. Wraith was run out on the penultimate delivery going for the second, leaving Graham needing six to win from the final ball.
To the delight of the Phoenix team, Graham could only manage two, taking her to a valiant 30 from 12 balls, but confirming Phoenix's first win in 13 attempts.
Join The Cricketer's brand new Whatsapp channel for the latest breaking news, comment and features - click here to become a member
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.