Fire miss chance to reach play-offs with loss to Phoenix

Ellyse Perry took 2-9 as Welsh Fire failed to chase Birmingham Phoenix's 121-7

The Hundred women's competition, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Birmingham Phoenix 121-7 (100 balls): Kalis 55 (44); Matthews 3-32

Welsh Fire 112-8 (100 balls): Matthews 35 (38); Perry 2-9

Birmingham Phoenix won by nine runs

Scorecard. Table

Welsh Fire missed a chance to seal their place in the play-offs of The Hundred women's competition, as Birmingham Phoenix edged a tense contest at Sophia Gardens.

Fire were favourites, needing 16 from the last 10 balls with Hayley Matthews at the crease, but Katie Levick's two wickets in two balls swung the game in Phoenix's favour and secured a nine-run win.

Georgia Elwiss fell for 10 and Matthews was caught for 35 before Emily Arlott took two more wickets in a disastrous collapse as the hosts lost four wickets for four runs.

Earlier, Phoenix's 121-7 was set up by Sterre Kalis' 55 while Matthews' 3-32 and Freya Davies' 2-17 led a disciplined Fire bowling performance.

Fire's chase ebbed and flowed, with Sophia Dunkley and Matthews leading the recovery from Tammy Beaumont's early departure for 12 before all-rounder Ellyse Perry took two wickets in two balls - Dunkley for 18 and Sarah Bryce first ball - to stall the home side's progress.

Matthews and Jess Jonassen, with 28, then looked to be sealing Fire's qualification before Phoenix's bowlers fought back, supported by impressive discipline in the field.

A win at Cardiff would have guaranteed Fire a top-three finish but struggling Phoenix kept their slim qualification hopes alive. They need to win their remaining two games comfortably to improve their net run-rate and hope other results go their way.

What else do you need to know?

• Sterre Kalis started her innings with one run from 10 balls before finishing with a crucial 55 from 44

• Her innings led Phoenix's recovery from a very slow start - they were 17-0 after the 25-ball powerplay

• Phoenix batter Richa Ghosh overturned three lbw decisions against spinner Matthews, on nought, two and 13, before she was eventually stumped for 12

• Phoenix will be nervously waiting on the fitness of New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine, who bowled five balls before leaving the field with an injury

• Fire are still in a good position to qualify for the play-offs - they need to win their last game against Southern Brave on 14 August to keep their hopes of finishing top of the table (and therefore go straight into the final) alive

What is happening on Sunday?

There are two more double-headers taking place on Sunday, with Oval Invincibles taking on London Spirit (women's game at 11:00 BST and the men's at 14:30) and Manchester Originals face Northern Superchargers (women's game at 14:30 BST and the men's at 18:00).

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