Summary

  • Phoenix rally from 71-6 to win by three wickets

  • Brunt dismisses Verma for fifth time this summer

  • Rockets recover from 63-4 to post 125-7

  • Freeborn top-scores with 30 off 23 balls; Gordon 3-26

  • Both sides remain in contention for top-three finish

  1. Farewellpublished at 18:15 British Summer Time 13 August 2021

    Thanks for joining us for live coverage of Birmingham Phoenix's unlikely three-wicket win over Trent Rockets in the women's Hundred.

    The match report will be up soon.

    The scorecard is here.

    The table is here.

    Coverage of the men's second Test between England and India continues here.

    And we'll be back with live coverage of Phoenix against Rockets - second against third - in the men's Hundred from 18:45 BST.

    See you then.

  2. Postpublished at 18:14 British Summer Time 13 August 2021

    On the losing side, but heck of a snaffle this...

  3. Postpublished at 18:14 British Summer Time 13 August 2021

    Bit of a strange defeat there for Trent Rockets. In the end they didn't have a big enough total really, but once you get a team, who don't bat very deep, six down with 55 runs still needed, you definitely should be winning.

    In the end Erin Burns and Emily Arlott played very sensible cricket, tapping singles mainly off Sammy Jo-Johnson and Katherine Brunt, taking a bonus boundary if they could should either bowl a bad ball.

    And they then target leg-spinner Sarah Glenn, knocking her off her length, and then going big at the right time with those 11 runs from five balls.

    Again, you're left thinking the Rockets have too many all-rounders and are a batter light.

  4. Postpublished at 18:08 British Summer Time 13 August 2021

    ArlottImage source, Getty Images

    Birmingham Phoenix match hero Erin Burns, speaking to Sky Sports: "We knew it was a must-win game for us. Our season was on the line. There are still things to do but we are stoked with the win.

    "We just tried to stay calm. It is a big ground with space to run singles hard. We wanted to take it deep with a bit of firepower to go.

    "New format, trying to figure out how to play in the middle order. But we knew the total to chase. It was good to be out there with a couple of big hitters. You can dink it around.

    "It has been fantastic. The facilities are amazing and it has been brilliant to play in big grounds."

  5. Postpublished at 18:08 British Summer Time 13 August 2021

    So victory ensures the Phoenix remain in contention to finish in the top three and make the eliminators. Though it'll still be a tough ask.

    Rockets remain one point ahead of them, with seven points in fourth.

    I think that will might also ensure Erin Burns moves back up the order. A brilliant knock - six fours exactly when her team looked on their last legs.

  6. PHOENIX WIN BY THREE WICKETSpublished at 6 balls left

    Phoenix 129-7

    Emily Arlott pulls a stunning victory out of the bag in sublime style.

    Straight ball, smashed away into a gap on the leg side and it runs away fof four to secure Birmingham Phoenix victory over Trent Rockets by three wickets.

    Well, it's an understatement to say I saw that coming. And I don't think most others did either - the win predictor had Phoenix as low as 13% at one stage.

    When Phoenix slipped to 58-5 and then 71-6, they looked done for. But they rose (ahem) thanks to Erin Burns' 38 off 26 balls and Arlott's unbeaten 22 off 14.

  7. Phoenix 125-7published at 7 balls left

    Scores level

    Oh dear. Johnson sends down a full toss and Arlott smashes it away for four.

    Full toss, right? Oh. No. The umpire decides it was just about acceptable.

    But the scores are level now...

  8. dropped catch

    Arlott dropped on 14published at 8 balls left

    Phoenix 121-7

    Would've been a worldie.

    Arlott mashes it back at Johnson and she can't cling on.

  9. Phoenix 121-7published at 9 balls left

    Need five runs to win

    A powerful sweep from Elwiss. Is that four? No, Windsor does brilliantly sprint round and stop it.

  10. Phoenix 120-7published at 10 balls left

    Need six runs to win

    Just don't lose more wickets and Phoenix win this.

    Sammy-Jo Johnson is staying on.

  11. New batter: Georgia Elwisspublished at 17:58 British Summer Time 13 August 2021

    Georgia ElwissImage source, BBC/ECB
  12. Postpublished at 17:58 British Summer Time 13 August 2021

    Alex Hartley
    Manchester Originals bowler on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Not clever that from Burns, looking to finish the game off. It is a good catch in the deep.

    Georgia Elwiss is not a big hitter of the ball. She is clever. Rockets will want to squeeze her as much as they can.

  13. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 12 balls left

    Burns c Higham b Johnson 38 (Phoenix 119-7)

    Another twist?

    Emily Burns could afford to do this in singles but instead goes for the big blow to nail it early.

    Only, she's picked out deep square leg instead.

  14. Phoenix 119-6published at 13 balls left

    Need seven runs to win

    Just as the Phoenix were meekly flopping earlier, the Rockets are now.

    Poor ball from Johnson, smashed away for four.

  15. Postpublished at 17:56 British Summer Time 13 August 2021

    Henry Moeran
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    What an important win this would be for the Phoenix if they can just get it over the line.

  16. Phoenix 115-6published at 15 balls left

    Need 11 runs to win

    Sarah Glenn limits the batters to singles before sending down a ropey wide, short ball that sits up, asking to be hit.

    Erin Burns obliges and cuts it away to the fence.

    Glenn conceded 11 off five there. The Phoenix really went after her and are firm favourites now.

  17. Phoenix 108-6published at 19 balls left

    Need 18 runs to wun

    Burns and Arlott should move up the order.

    Burns rocks back and cracks Glenn through mid-wicket for four.

  18. Postpublished at 17:53 British Summer Time 13 August 2021

    Alex Hartley
    Manchester Originals bowler on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    We could be in for a really good finish. One wicket from the Trent Rockets gives them a really good chance.

    JohnsonImage source, Getty Images
  19. Phoenix 104-6published at 20 balls left

    Need 22 runs to win

    Burns picks out a a gap in the deep and scurries two.

    She can only tap the last to cover for no run.

    A nailbiter now, the Phoenix having seemed to have been crumbling away.

  20. Phoenix 102-6published at 22 balls left

    Need 24 run to win

    Erin Burns is playing a bit of a blinder here - that sweep shot proving very effective.

    This time she swivels Heather Graham for four.