From: Ed Mace
Birmingham, 12 August 2026:
Ellyse Perry and Fatima Sana combined to guide Birmingham Phoenix to a five-wicket win over MI London, while Georgia Wareham and Grace Potts starred as Welsh Fire closed their Hundred campaign with a 15-run win over London Spirit.
With none of the four teams in contention for qualification, the final round of matches provided an opportunity to finish disappointing campaigns on a positive note.
Perry, Sana guide Phoenix past MI London
Perry struck an unbeaten 62 from 39 balls and Sana added 36 as Birmingham Phoenix recovered from 48-4 to chase down 121 with five wickets in hand.
MI London, who began the day level with Phoenix on six points, struggled to build momentum after being asked to bat.
Hayley Matthews provided some early impetus before falling from the final ball of the powerplay, leaving MI London at 29-2. Amelia Kerr was dismissed from the next delivery as their innings began to lose momentum.
Captain Hollie Armitage steadied the innings with 31 from 31 balls, while Chinelle Henry provided the main attacking threat. Henry struck four fours and a six in her 42 from 33 deliveries and shared a 56-run partnership with Armitage.
However, Phoenix kept the scoring under control, with Phoebe Brett taking 1-16 from 20 balls and Alice Capsey delivering an economical 10-ball spell. MI London finished on 120-6.
Phoenix’s chase started poorly, with their top three combining for only 10 runs from 16 balls.
Perry quickly changed the momentum after arriving at No. 4. She raced to 27 from 12 balls by the end of the powerplay, striking five boundaries.
The dismissal of Emma Lamb brought Sana to the crease and the Pakistan captain joined Perry in rebuilding the innings. The pair added more than 50 runs and gradually took control of the chase.
Sana made 36 before being dismissed by Nicola Carey, but by then Phoenix were firmly in command.
Perry remained unbeaten and hit the winning runs to complete a 62 not out from 39 balls.
The win moved Phoenix above MI London in the standings, although they remained behind London Spirit on net run rate.
Wareham, Potts lead Fire past Spirit
Earlier, Wareham scored 50 and Potts claimed three wickets as Welsh Fire defeated London Spirit by 15 runs in Cardiff.
Asked to bat first, Fire made a brisk start through Georgia Voll and Freya Kemp, with the pair helping their side reach 55-2 after 30 balls.
Spirit’s spinners then slowed the scoring rate. Charlie Dean and Grace Harris combined for five wickets while conceding only 33 runs from 35 deliveries, putting Fire in danger of being restricted to around 125.
Wareham initially struggled for timing but accelerated late in the innings, striking three fours and a six in a 10-ball burst. She reached 50 before being dismissed with two balls remaining as Fire posted 138-7.
Spirit’s chase suffered an immediate setback when Potts dismissed Harris and Marie Kelly with consecutive deliveries, reducing them to 2-2.
Potts struck again before the end of the powerplay, removing Amy Jones with Wareham taking the catch.
Spirit never fully recovered from the early damage. Dean attempted to revive the chase with 27 from 20 balls, but her dismissal left Spirit 75-6 after 60 deliveries.
Heather Graham helped close out the innings as Spirit were bowled out for 123, leaving Fire with a 15-run victory.
Fire finished the campaign fifth on 16 points, one victory short of being in Eliminator contention. Spirit ended their season with 10 points after winning two of their eight matches.
Scores in brief
Welsh Fire Women beat London Spirit Women by 15 runs
Welsh Fire Women 138-7 (Georgia Wareham 50, Freya Kemp 26; Grace Harris 3-15, Charlie Dean 2-18)
London Spirit Women 123 all out (Charlie Dean 27, Charis Pavely 18; Grace Potts 3-23, Heather Graham 2-21)
Player of the match – Georgia Wareham
Birmingham Phoenix Women beat MI London Women by five wickets
MI London Women 120-6 (Chinelle Henry 42, Hollie Armitage 31; Eva Gray 2-29, Phoebe Brett 1-16)
Birmingham Phoenix Women 121-5 (Ellyse Perry 62 not out, Fatima Sana 36; Kirstie Gordon 2-20, Amelia Kerr 1-23)
Player of the match – Ellyse Perry
