Phoenix rise to top of table after beating Superchargers - match centre

1. Phoenix go joint-top with third win out of three
2. Superchargers fall short despite Wolvaardt's 32 off 24
3. Superchargers looked good for victory at 68-0 off 44 balls
4. Molineux takes 2-11 off 20 balls to drag it back for Phoenix
5. Phoenix 153-4 - A Jones 48 off 28 balls, Davidson-Richards takes 3-30

Phoenix remain unbeaten with convincing win over Superchargers

Birmingham Phoenix maintained their unbeaten run in the women's Hundred with a comfortable victory over Northern Superchargers at Edgbaston.

Having been put in to bat, Phoenix scored 153-4 as England's Amy Jones top-scored with 48.

In reply, Superchargers started strongly with Alyssa Healy smashing 46 from just 26 balls.

But after she was dismissed by fellow Australian Sophie Molineux, Superchargers slipped behind the run rate and fell five runs short of their total.

Molineux produced an incredible spell of bowling, taking two wickets and conceding just 11 runs from her 20 balls.

The result means Birmingham Phoenix join Southern Brave at the top of the table having won three games from three, while Northern Superchargers have one win so far.

"It was a really competitive total and today Sophie Molineux was the difference for us," said Phoenix all-rounder Ellyse Perry. "I thought she was exceptional. But the support around her was brilliant.

"I've not really experienced anything like this in domestic cricket, it's great fun."

Davies' 'terrific' diving catch

Here's what also happened:

• Eve Jones and Amy Jones helped Phoenix recover after the early loss of Sophie Devine, taking the score to 104 after 66 balls
• Phoenix looked set for a huge total but Alice Davidson-Richards slowed their progress by taking three wickets
• Ellyse Perry continued her fine run of form with the bat, scoring 22 not out
• Laura Wolvaardt and Hollie Armitage put in a spirited effort to get Northern Superchargers close to their target, scoring 31 and 32 respectively
• Phoenix's bowlers shared the wickets with Georgia Elwiss, Emily Arlott and Abtaha Maqsood taking one each, with Ellyse Perry and Gwen Davies taking excellent boundary catches

What's next?

• Northern Superchargers are back in action on Sunday 21 August as they take on Manchester Originals in a northern derby, while Birmingham Phoenix travel to London to face last year's winners Oval Invincibles on Tuesday 23 August.

'Edgbaston has an appetite for women's cricket'

Birmingham Phoenix captain Ellyse Perry speaking to Sky Sports:

"It was a really fun match and super competitive.

"It's been wonderful playing here, it's a wonderful ground to play at.

"I had the fortune of playing here during the Commonwealth Games. Maybe Edgbaston has an appetite for women's cricket because there's been some incredible games here.

"I've not really experienced anything like it in domestic cricket. It's really fun.

"It's a really competitive total and today Sophie Molineux is the difference. I thought she was exceptional. But the support around her was brilliant.

"In this kind of format it really doesn't matter who you play it's such a tight contest all the time. You just need to keep the momentum and play good cricket. You don't know how it's going to turn out in the end."

Match Hero, Birmingham Phoenix's Sophie Molineux talking to Sky Sports:

"I wasn't really concerned but it was a great game. The crowd got really invested there at the end. Their batting order just kept coming at us but we held our nerve which was really nice.

"It's massive. I think we heard every single one of them towards the back end which is so good. Just to be over here and playing in this tournament is loud, massive, there's colours everywhere. It's just an amazing tournament to be part of and I'm really lucky for sure.

"They [the Phoenix batters] were awesome at the top. We didn't really know what the wicket was going to do because it was a pretty fresh wicket. for Eve to start off like she did and even Soph just settled us a little bit and sent a message to us that there was a platform to kick on. Both the Joneses were great.

"We're in great spirits. It's a great group and I'm really loving it over here. The coaches are awesome and the group of players are too. We're only halfway there and there's still games to come."

Sophie Molineux was absolutely brilliant for the Phoenix...

BBC

Match Hero Sophie Molineux has told Sky Sports she thinks the Hundred is "loud" and "massive" adding "it's a privilege just to be here".

Getty Images

Terrific performance in front of a record crowd, meaning it's three wins from three for the hosts.

Northern Superchargers, by the way, have slumped to a second defeat.

BreakingBirmingham Phoenix win by five runs

We finish with a two down the leg side.

A perfect game from Birmingham Phoenix, they batted well and held their nerve in the field.

That victory lifts the Phoenix to the top of the table. They are the team to beat.

Superchargers 146-4

Four more runs down the ground. It won't be enough.

Aatif Nawaz

BBC Radio

Four runs for Jenny Gunn where have they been hiding her? Get her up the order!

Superchargers 142-4

Four from new batter Jenny Gunn. 12 off two needed now.

Superchargers 138-4

16 needed off three. Boundaries only now.

WICKET

Hollie Armitage is caught on the boundary. The Phoenix have this game in the bag.

Superchargers 136-4

And they're being treated to some game,

18 needed from five.

The crowd this afternoon is 13,087 - new record for a women's domestic match at Edgbaston.

Armitage dropped on 31

Hollie Armitage goes big and Georgia Elwiss can't catch her on the edge of the inner-ring.

Superchargers 134-4

New batter Alice Davidson-Richards starts with a single.

Chris Green

Middlesex all-rounder on BBC Radio

Perry takes a divot out and replaces it. As a golfer myself it's always nice to see the divots put back in place.

WICKET

Wolvaardt tries to go big again, but this time she's caught on the boundary!

Superchargers 133-3

Laura Wolvaardt smashes Sophie Molineux for six.

Phoenix's game to lose?

BBC