In a pulsating clash at Lord’s, the London Spirit emerged victorious once again in the women’s Hundred, defeating the Birmingham Phoenix despite a valiant effort from Ellyse Perry, who scored 65 runs in a losing cause.
Meg Lanning, the Australian superstar, showcased her class by notching up her first half-century in the Hundred as she led the Spirit to a competitive total of 147 for 9. The crowd at Lord’s, numbering 16,641, witnessed a gripping contest as the momentum swung back and forth throughout the match, with big names on both sides making significant contributions.
Despite coming into the game on the back of 11 consecutive defeats in the Hundred, the Phoenix displayed resolve and determination to push the Spirit all the way. Perry’s aggressive innings, coupled with Sophie Devine’s knock of 37, gave hope to the Phoenix faithful. However, Sarah Glenn’s crucial late wickets ensured that the Spirit emerged victorious, maintaining their perfect record in the tournament.
Reflecting on the match, Lanning commented, “It felt like it got a bit more tricky as it went on. Birmingham Phoenix took the pace off a little bit, and the wicket was pretty conducive to that, so it felt like it was a bit more difficult than we had thought but it ended up a competitive total.”
The Spirit got off to a flying start, with Lanning, Georgia Redmayne, and Cordelia Griffith punishing the Phoenix bowlers early on. Griffith’s back-to-back sixes off Emily Arlott provided the spectators with some breathtaking moments, showcasing the attacking intent of the Spirit batsmen.
Captain Heather Knight’s contribution with the bat added to the Spirit’s total, as they looked set for a much larger score before Phoenix managed to rein them in. However, Perry and Devine’s partnership threatened to snatch victory away from the Spirit, with Devine’s powerful hitting keeping the Phoenix in the hunt.
As the match entered its final stages, the pressure mounted on the Phoenix to chase down the target, but the Spirit bowlers held their nerve. Sarah Glenn’s heroics with the ball ensured that the Spirit emerged victorious by 20 runs, cementing their position at the top of the table with a flawless record in the tournament.
With this win, the London Spirit have sent a strong message to their rivals in the women’s Hundred, establishing themselves as a formidable force to reckon with. The Phoenix, on the other hand, will take heart from their spirited performance and look to bounce back stronger in their upcoming matches.
