Ellyse Perry produced a captain's knock with an unbeaten 68 to lead Birmingham Phoenix to a thrilling seven-wicket victory over Welsh Fire at Edgbaston, securing the team's first win of The Hundred 2026 campaign. Chasing 145 for victory, Perry remained calm under pressure, finishing with 68 not out off 46 deliveries and sharing a crucial 86-run partnership for the third wicket with Alice Capsey, who struck a rapid 51 from just 29 balls. The experienced Australian sealed the contest in style by smashing Heather Graham for 10 runs in the final two deliveries she faced, taking Phoenix home with one ball to spare. The victory lifted Birmingham Phoenix off the bottom of the standings and ended their wait for a first win of the season. Earlier, Welsh Fire posted a competitive 144 for 3, built around an impressive innings from Georgia Voll. After a cautious start alongside Ella McCaughan, Voll shifted gears to dominate the bowling attack, bringing up her half-century with a six off Eva Gray. She eventually scored 78 from 55 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes before falling to Linsey Smith, with Alice Capsey taking the catch at long-on. Sophie Devine provided a powerful finish to the innings, remaining unbeaten on 35 from just 18 balls. The New Zealand all-rounder struck two sixes in the closing deliveries to lift Welsh Fire to a challenging total. Birmingham Phoenix's chase began on a shaky note as Davina Perrin departed in the fourth ball of the innings. Tammy Beaumont and Capsey steadied the innings with a useful stand before Beaumont was dismissed by Georgia Wareham. Captain Perry then joined Capsey at the crease and transformed the chase. The pair added 86 runs, reaching their fifty-run partnership in just 30 balls and putting the hosts firmly in control. Phoenix were briefly tested when Capsey fell with 24 runs still required, raising hopes of a Welsh Fire comeback. However, Annerie Dercksen supported Perry during the tense closing stages before the veteran all-rounder struck the decisive boundaries to complete Birmingham's highest successful chase in the competition and end a long wait for victory. Speaking after being named the Meerkat Match Hero, Perry expressed her delight at the team's breakthrough success. "It is lovely to have the win at home and the atmosphere here today was amazing. I thought we did well to restrict the Fire with the ball and then timed the chase nicely to get over the line," Perry said. "The results haven't gone our way so far, but we've had a lot of fun as a group. Today was another great opportunity and a nice challenge. Partnerships are crucial, and the way Alice batted was outstanding. It was great to take the game deep and finish it in the final stages." The defeat leaves Welsh Fire with work to do in the race for the knockout stages, while Birmingham Phoenix will hope the hard-fought victory marks a turning point in their campaign.

Southern Brave continued their unbeaten run in The Hundred Women's competition with a five-wicket victory over London Spirit at Lord's, extending their lead at the top of the standings and strengthening their bid for a direct place in the final. Captain Sophie Molineux starred with the ball, producing a remarkable spell of 3 for 7 from her 20 deliveries as Southern Brave restricted London Spirit to 114 for 8. Her figures rank among the most economical bowling performances in the tournament's history and laid the foundation for Brave's fifth consecutive victory. Reflecting on the performance, Molineux credited the team's spin attack for exploiting the conditions. "The pitch had a little bit in it for the spinners. I thought Tilly bowled really well from that top end as well and Glenny played a massive role there in the middle doing what she does best," she said after the match. Asked to bat first, London Spirit struggled to gain momentum against a disciplined Brave bowling attack. Molineux struck early to dismiss Amy Jones and Marie Kelly, while Sarah Glenn removed Grace Harris and Sterre Kalis to keep the hosts under constant pressure. South African all-rounders Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk attempted to rebuild the innings with a 27-run partnership, but scoring remained difficult against Southern Brave's tight bowling. Kapp made 34 from 27 balls before falling to Tilly Corteen-Coleman, while de Klerk provided late resistance with 38, including two sixes off Glenn, before she too was dismissed. London Spirit finished on 114 for 8 after failing to accelerate in the closing stages. Chasing 115, Southern Brave lost opener Lizelle Lee early when Kapp claimed a sharp caught-and-bowled dismissal. The South African seamer struck again to remove the in-form Jemimah Rodrigues, briefly giving Spirit hope. However, Maia Bouchier anchored the chase with a composed 46 off 38 deliveries, while Molineux contributed a valuable 23 as the visitors steadily moved towards the target. Although Brave lost both set batters with just one run required—including Molineux, who was brilliantly caught by Deandra Dottin at midwicket—they crossed the finish line with seven balls to spare. The victory keeps Southern Brave firmly in control at the top of the table with five wins from five matches and makes them strong favourites to secure the first direct berth in The Hundred final. For London Spirit, the defeat leaves them with just one win from their opening four matches. While their hopes of reaching the knockout stage remain alive, they face increasing pressure as the tournament enters its second half.

Ellyse Perry produced a captain's innings to guide Birmingham Phoenix to a dramatic seven-wicket victory over Welsh Fire in The Hundred at Edgbaston, securing the hosts' first win of the season with just one ball remaining. Chasing a target of 145, Perry remained unbeaten on 68 from 46 deliveries and shared a match-defining 86-run partnership for the third wicket with Alice Capsey, who struck a fluent 51 off 29 balls. With Phoenix needing 10 runs from the final two deliveries, Perry held her nerve by smashing Heather Graham for a boundary and a six to seal the victory in thrilling fashion. Earlier, Welsh Fire posted 144 for 3, thanks largely to an impressive 78 off 55 balls from Georgia Voll. After a cautious start during the powerplay alongside Ella McCaughan, Voll accelerated against the Phoenix spinners and reached her half-century with a six off Eva Gray. Her innings featured nine boundaries and two sixes before she was caught at long-on by Capsey off Linsey Smith. Sophie Devine provided a late flourish for the visitors, blasting an unbeaten 35 from just 18 balls, including two sixes in the final over, to push Welsh Fire to a competitive total. Phoenix's chase began on a shaky note as Davina Perrin fell in the opening set, while Tammy Beaumont departed soon after making a steady contribution. However, Capsey counterattacked with an aggressive knock before combining with Perry to swing the momentum in Phoenix's favour. The pair added their fifty partnership in only 30 balls, putting the hosts firmly on course for victory. Capsey's dismissal with 24 runs still required briefly revived Welsh Fire's hopes, but Perry remained composed. After Annerie Dercksen helped steady the chase, the Australian veteran finished the contest in style with two decisive blows at the death. The victory lifted Birmingham Phoenix off the bottom of the standings and ended their winless start to the campaign, while Welsh Fire's hopes of progressing in the competition suffered a significant setback. Named the Meerkat Match Hero, Perry praised her side's resilience after the match. "It is lovely to have the win at home. The atmosphere here today was amazing," Perry said. "I thought we did pretty well to restrict the Fire with our bowling and then timed the chase well to get over the line." "The results haven't been there for us, but we've had a lot of fun as a group. Partnerships are crucial, and the way Alice batted today was outstanding. It was great to take the game deep and come through in the end. It was a great contest." Phoenix's long-awaited first victory, achieved in front of part-owner Jude Bellingham at Edgbaston, could provide the momentum they need as the competition enters its decisive phase.

Sophia Dunkley's composed half-century and Ash Gardner's brilliant four-wicket haul guided Trent Rockets to a comprehensive 31-run victory over Manchester Super Giants, ending the hosts' unbeaten run in The Hundred at Emirates Old Trafford. After posting 153 for 8, the Rockets bundled out Manchester Super Giants for 122, with Gardner starring with figures of 4 for 16 to seal an all-round team performance. Opting to bat first, Trent Rockets suffered an early setback when Beth Mooney was bowled by Grace Ballinger after mistiming a pull shot. However, Sophia Dunkley and Sophie Luff steadied the innings with a crucial partnership that laid the foundation for a competitive total. Promoted to No. 3 in the absence of the injured Nat Sciver-Brunt, Luff played an attacking knock, taking on England spinner Sophie Ecclestone with a towering six before smashing Kathryn Bryce for three consecutive boundaries. Dunkley matched her stroke for stroke as the duo brought up their 50-run stand in just 33 balls. Luff went on to register her maiden half-century in The Hundred, scoring 51 before departing soon after. Dunkley followed with a well-crafted 57, anchoring the innings until she was dismissed by Ecclestone. Although Manchester Super Giants fought back late, with Ecclestone removing Bess Heath and Alice Villiers stumping Gardner as the Rockets lost three wickets for just five runs, the visitors still managed to post a challenging total of 153 for 8. In reply, Manchester Super Giants endured a disastrous start when opener Smriti Mandhana was stumped by Samantha Bates for just four in the second set of deliveries. The early wickets reduced the hosts to 31 for 3, placing them on the back foot. Captain Meg Lanning attempted to revive the chase with a fighting innings of 35, taking the attack to spinner Katie Levick after a slow start. However, Gardner struck at a crucial moment, trapping Lanning leg before wicket to leave the Super Giants reeling at 89 for 5. Gardner continued to dominate the contest by taking an excellent catch at long-off to dismiss Kathryn Bryce for 27 before finishing off the innings with two more wickets. A late cameo from Maitlan Brown briefly kept the chase alive, but her run-out by Georgia Adams ended any hopes of a comeback. Gardner's outstanding spell of 4 for 16 ensured Manchester Super Giants were bowled out for 122, handing Trent Rockets a convincing victory and ending the home side's perfect start to the tournament. Dunkley, who was named Player of the Match for her 57 runs and three catches, admitted the batting conditions were challenging but praised Luff's contribution. "I found the pitch a little bit tricky. It wasn't my most fluent innings, but it's great to get the win," Dunkley said after the match. "It took me a while to adjust to the conditions. Luffy was outstanding. She came in, brought the momentum and helped us reach a really good total." The victory strengthens Trent Rockets' position among the leading contenders in this year's competition, while Manchester Super Giants will look to bounce back after suffering their first defeat of the season.

Southern Brave continued their unbeaten run in The Hundred Women's competition, registering their fourth consecutive victory with a convincing 24-run win over Birmingham Phoenix at Southampton. After being put in to bat, the Brave posted a competitive 140 for 3, thanks to aggressive contributions from Lizelle Lee (43 off 23) and Maia Bouchier (45 off 31). Lee set the tone during the powerplay with a blistering knock that included the only two sixes of the match, while Bouchier complemented her with a fluent innings. Jemimah Rodrigues provided the finishing flourish, striking three boundaries in the closing stages to lift Southern Brave to a challenging total. In reply, Birmingham Phoenix appeared well placed in their chase of 141 after reaching 50 in 37 balls, with Tammy Beaumont (22) and Davina Perrin building a solid foundation. At the strategic timeout, Phoenix required 54 runs from the final 30 balls with only one wicket down. However, the chase unraveled soon after. Alice Capsey's dismissal triggered a collapse before Perrin, who battled to a 40-ball 52, fell attempting an ambitious shot against Sarah Glenn. Perrin had enjoyed several reprieves during her innings, but her departure effectively ended Phoenix's hopes. Southern Brave's bowling attack tightened its grip in the closing stages, with captain Sophie Molineux claiming 2 for 24 and combining effectively with fellow left-arm spinner Tilly Courteen-Coleman to restrict the scoring. Despite a late counterattack from Ellyse Perry, Birmingham Phoenix finished on 116 for 5, falling 24 runs short. The victory strengthened Southern Brave's position at the top of the table, extending their perfect record to four wins from four matches. In contrast, Birmingham Phoenix remain rooted to the bottom of the standings, still searching for their first win of the tournament. Named Meerkat Match Hero, Lizelle Lee credited the team's adaptability and bowling unit for the impressive victory. "I think it was better to bat against the new ball because it came onto the bat much easier. Once the ball got softer, it became more difficult to score. Our batters did well at the end to push us to a good total, and I think that made the difference," Lee said. She also praised the bowling attack and captain Sophie Molineux's leadership. "Our bowlers don't always get the credit they deserve. They've been outstanding and have helped us get out of difficult situations. Sophie is such a calm captain, and that calmness spreads throughout the team. It's showing in our performances," Lee added.

Lauren Bell produced a superb final over under pressure as Southern Brave defeated MI London by a solitary run in a thrilling Women's Hundred contest at the Utilita Bowl, extending their unbeaten run to three matches. Defending a modest total of 126 for 7, Bell conceded just six runs from the final five deliveries with MI London requiring eight to win. Despite an unbeaten half-century from former Brave batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge, MI London fell agonisingly short, finishing on 125 for 3. The dramatic victory kept Southern Brave at the top of the table, while MI London remained without a win this season. Chasing 127, Hayley Matthews gave MI London a flying start, striking four boundaries during the powerplay before being bowled by Issy Wong for 32 after the Brave's spin attack tightened the scoring. At the halfway stage, MI London were well placed at 59 for 1, but Southern Brave's spinners, aided by the large boundaries, steadily built pressure. Wyatt-Hodge and Hollie Armitage responded with a crucial 67-run partnership that brought the target down to 34 runs from the final 25 balls. Wyatt-Hodge received a lifeline when Jemimah Rodrigues narrowly failed to complete a diving catch at deep midwicket. However, Southern Brave struck at the right time as Sarah Glenn dismissed Armitage, caught behind following a successful review. Sophie Molineux then delivered a disciplined penultimate set of five balls, leaving Bell to defend eight runs in the final five deliveries. Bell remained composed in the decisive moments, restricting MI London to just six runs and sealing a dramatic one-run victory despite Wyatt-Hodge remaining unbeaten on 52. Earlier, Southern Brave made a steady start after being asked to bat first, reaching 32 for 1 during the powerplay. England opener Maia Bouchier looked in excellent touch, scoring 31 from 22 balls before finding Melie Kerr in the deep off Matthews. Jemimah Rodrigues then accelerated the innings with an enterprising 32 from 22 deliveries, taking on Chinelle Henry and Kerr to lift the scoring rate. Laura Wolvaardt endured a slow beginning but recovered well after a fielding error allowed her to find momentum. She finished with a valuable 35, helping Southern Brave post a competitive total of 126 for 7. Matthews starred with the ball for MI London, producing an outstanding spell of 4 for 22. She removed both Rodrigues and Issy Wong during the closing stages, while Melie Kerr also claimed the wicket of Wolvaardt after earlier contributing in the field with two catches. Despite MI London's disciplined bowling effort, Southern Brave's total proved just enough as Bell's outstanding death bowling secured a memorable victory. Speaking after the match, Rodrigues praised her team's composure under pressure. "This team has great belief. It's the calmness we show under pressure. When the partnership was building we kept saying one wicket could turn things around. It's a game of cricket, anything can happen," she said.

Trent Rockets produced a dominant all-round display to register a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred Women's competition, skittling the hosts for just 64 before chasing down the target with 69 balls to spare. The Rockets' clinical bowling effort reduced Phoenix to the joint-second lowest total in the history of the women's Hundred, with debutant Samantha Bates and experienced all-rounder Georgia Elwiss leading the demolition. Bates returned outstanding figures of 3 for 10, while Elwiss claimed 3 for 13, as the pair combined to take six wickets for just 23 runs from 40 deliveries, including 25 dot balls. Kim Garth also made an immediate impact, conceding only two runs while bowling the opening 10 balls of the innings. Put in to bat, Birmingham's innings unravelled from the outset. Tammy Beaumont and Alice Capsey departed early, with Beaumont falling to Garth. Davina Perrin was then bowled by Elwiss, leaving the Phoenix reeling at 13 for 3 after 20 balls. The collapse worsened moments later when Bates struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Annerie Dercksen and Jemima Spence off consecutive deliveries to reduce the hosts to 14 for 5. Only Ellyse Perry, who scored 39, offered any meaningful resistance as wickets continued to tumble around her. Despite missing England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who is unavailable for the opening two matches of the tournament due to a calf injury, Trent Rockets never allowed Phoenix back into the contest. Chasing a modest target of 65, the visitors lost Beth Mooney for just four after she was bowled by Lauren Filer with the score on 40. However, the early breakthrough had little impact on the outcome. Sophia Dunkley sealed the chase in emphatic fashion, smashing an unbeaten 43 from just 17 balls, while captain Sophie Luff added quick runs, including three consecutive boundaries off Alana King, as the Rockets wrapped up victory with ease. The commanding win gives Trent Rockets a strong start to their campaign and underlines their bowling strength, even in the absence of one of their biggest stars, while Birmingham Phoenix will be eager to bounce back after one of the lowest totals in the competition's history.

Manchester Super Giants made an emphatic start to their 2026 Women's Hundred campaign with a commanding seven-wicket victory over London Spirit at Lord's, thanks to a clinical bowling performance led by Ryana MacDonald-Gay. MacDonald-Gay produced match-winning figures of 4 for 17, while Sophie Ecclestone delivered a miserly spell of 1 for 7 from her 20 balls as the Super Giants bundled London Spirit out for just 80 with nine deliveries remaining in the innings. Chasing a modest target of 81, Manchester reached the total comfortably with 41 balls to spare. After being asked to bat first on a sluggish surface, London Spirit made a brisk start when Grace Harris struck the opening delivery of the tournament for four. However, her aggressive approach was short-lived as Grace Ballinger dismissed the Australian just four balls later. The Spirit innings quickly unravelled. Amy Jones departed for a first-ball duck, leaving the hosts at 5 for 2 inside the opening eight deliveries. Marizanne Kapp briefly counterattacked with a four and two towering sixes off Maitlan Brown, but MacDonald-Gay turned the tide by removing both Kapp and Marie Kelly in quick succession. Ecclestone then clean-bowled Deandra Dottin to leave London Spirit reeling at 28 for 5. At the halfway stage, the hosts had crawled to 48 for 6 as Manchester's bowlers maintained relentless pressure. Charlie Dean and Nadine de Klerk attempted to rebuild the innings with a cautious partnership that lifted the score to 68, but the resistance ended when Meg Lanning and Richa Ghosh combined to run out Dean. MacDonald-Gay then returned to dismiss de Klerk, ensuring London Spirit were bowled out for a disappointing 80. Manchester's chase began cautiously, with openers Smriti Mandhana and captain Meg Lanning respecting the disciplined bowling of Kapp. Once settled, the pair accelerated, taking the score to 33 before Mandhana was trapped lbw by Kapp after a successful review. Kapp struck again immediately by bowling Grace Scrivens with the first ball she faced, finishing with impressive figures of 2 for 18 from her allocation of 20 balls. Lanning and Paige Scholfield steadied the innings, bringing up the team's fifty in 40 balls before Lanning departed for 57. Richa Ghosh then injected momentum into the chase, smashing two sixes in her first four deliveries. Scholfield completed the victory in style with an unbeaten 22, sealing the win with a towering six off Josie Groves. Named Meerkat Match Hero, MacDonald-Gay credited the bowling unit for laying the foundation for the comprehensive victory. "I think the bowlers at the top set up the game by taking early wickets and putting on the pressure. Coming in later, I just stuck to my plans and it worked really well," she said. "We really nailed the basics today. I felt in good rhythm and full of confidence coming into the game. I've loved the change of scenery, the group has been fantastic, and I'm looking forward to playing at Old Trafford and experiencing the atmosphere there." The convincing win gives Manchester Super Giants an ideal start to their campaign, while London Spirit will be aiming for a quick turnaround after a disappointing batting display in the tournament opener.

Southern Brave produced a remarkable late fightback to defeat Welsh Fire by eight runs in a thrilling Women's Hundred contest at the Utilita Bowl, overturning a commanding position held by the visitors during the run chase. Defending a modest total of 126 for 7, Southern Brave tightened the screws in the closing stages as Welsh Fire suffered a dramatic collapse, losing five wickets for just six runs in 13 balls to finish on 118 for 8. Australia all-rounder and Southern Brave captain Sophie Molineux starred with the ball, claiming 3 for 14 in a match-winning spell shortly after leading Australia to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup title. Lauren Bell and Tilly Corteen-Coleman also played key roles in the death overs as the hosts completed an unlikely victory. "It was a great win in front of our home crowd," Molineux said after the match. "We clawed our way back and it was really pleasing. It'd be nice if we could take some catches, but we shouldn't read too much into that and just crack on." Earlier, Welsh Fire captain Sophie Devine elected to field after winning the toss, and Heather Graham struck with the opening delivery of the innings by dismissing Maia Bouchier. Southern Brave recovered through South African pair Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt, who shared a 54-run partnership from 45 balls. Lee made a fluent 31 before holing out to long-on, while India's Jemimah Rodrigues was dismissed cheaply. Molineux then added valuable late runs alongside Wolvaardt, whose unbeaten 45 anchored the innings. However, a cluster of wickets in the closing stages prevented Brave from posting a bigger total, leaving them at 126 for 7 after 100 balls. Welsh Fire's chase got off to a shaky start when Ella McCaughan was bowled by Molineux, but Georgia Voll and Freya Kemp quickly wrestled back control with an impressive partnership. Voll struck a composed 52 from 39 balls, while Kemp contributed 39, guiding Fire to 80 for 1 after 59 balls and putting them firmly on course for victory. The momentum shifted dramatically when Rodrigues produced a direct-hit run-out to dismiss Kemp. Molineux then removed the experienced Devine, increasing the pressure before Corteen-Coleman dismissed the well-set Voll, caught by Maia Bouchier, to swing the contest back in Southern Brave's favour. Lauren Bell added to Welsh Fire's misery by taking two wickets in the space of three balls, leaving the visitors needing 16 runs from the final 10 deliveries. Molineux conceded just three runs from her final five balls before Corteen-Coleman held her nerve in the closing stages to complete the victory. The win gives Southern Brave a strong start to their Women's Hundred campaign, while Welsh Fire will rue a collapse that saw a seemingly certain victory slip away in dramatic fashion.

Former England fast bowler Katherine Sciver-Brunt has been appointed as assistant coach of Trent Rockets for the 2026 Women's Hundred, marking her first coaching role since retiring from professional cricket in 2023. Sciver-Brunt will work alongside Trent Rockets head coach Chris Read and her wife, England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who remains a key member of the squad. The appointment marks the former England seamer's return to the franchise, having represented the Rockets as a player from 2021 to 2023. One of England's most decorated cricketers, Sciver-Brunt was awarded an OBE for services to cricket last month. She finished her international career as England's second-highest wicket-taker in women's cricket, claiming 335 wickets across all formats, including 170 in One-Day Internationals. She also played a pivotal role in England's triumphs at the 2009 ICC Women's World T20 and the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup. Speaking on her new role, Sciver-Brunt said she was excited to return to the game after spending the past three years adjusting to life following retirement. "The time has come for me to step back into a role within cricket. I've had a wild three years since retiring trying to figure out what life looks like for me now as a mum," she said. "The first place I thought of was the Trent Rockets. Trent Bridge is such a special place, and having been involved as a player with the Rockets before, coming back as a coach was an opportunity I just couldn't turn down." Sciver-Brunt's appointment also adds to the growing, though still limited, presence of women in coaching roles across The Hundred. Former England internationals Anya Shrubsole and Sarah Taylor continue as assistant coaches with Manchester Super Giants and Southern Brave respectively, while Lisa Keightley remains the competition's only current female head coach with MI London following Charlotte Edwards' move to take charge of the England women's team. Trent Rockets have also strengthened their coaching setup with former Nottinghamshire spinner Graeme White joining the women's team as fielding coach. Meanwhile, Australia's Ash Gardner continues as captain after taking over from Nat Sciver-Brunt last season, when the England skipper stepped down from the leadership role to focus on her international commitments. On the men's side, former South Africa white-ball bowling coach Anton Roux has been appointed as assistant coach to Peter Moores for the 2026 campaign. Looking ahead to her new chapter in the game, Sciver-Brunt expressed her enthusiasm for mentoring the next generation of players. "I'm moving into a new era, and I know coaching and mentoring players of this standard will be something I'll love. I'm really excited to be on the other side of the fence and to finally come back to The Hundred. I can't wait to get going and work with this special squad," she said.