Ellyse Perry was pleased to have signed off for Birmingham Phoenix Women’s Hundred campaign in 2026 with a five-wicket victory over MI London at Edgbaston to ensure that a competition which did not go their way ended on a high.
Perry hit an unbeaten 62 as the Phoenix successfully chased 121 which was set by MI, who were put in by Perry having won the toss. That was thanks in no small part to a disciplined collective bowling display and a notable contribution with the bat from Fatima Sana.
“It’s a nice way to finish,” Perry said. “Another beautiful day here at Edgbaston - the crowd, the support and the atmosphere we have had here has been consistently great throughout the tournament.
“I’m grateful we got to finish on a high and I think it just shows that the effort from the group has been there throughout. The results haven’t been, and there have been multiple reasons for that, but it’s just nice to show we can play some really competitive cricket.”
By hitting 62 not out, Perry ensured she averaged a remarkable 100 at Edgbaston across the four home matches in The Hundred this season.
“Edgbaston is a great place to play,” she said. “I’ve played international cricket here. The crowd, the interest in the game and in women’s cricket is second to none around the country.
“Gary [Barwell] the groundsman really looks after us really well, he’s always prepared great wickets for T20 cricket. You get to know a place pretty well, certainly the dimensions of it.”
While the Phoenix will aspire to achieve more with this side in the future, Perry is heartened by the young talent she has spent the last month playing and training alongside.
Davina Perrin hit 50 against Southern Brave earlier in the competition, while teenage Phoebe Brett made her Hundred debut on Wednesday and excelled with the ball, returning figures of 1/16 from her 20 balls.
Perry also had words of encouragement for young wicket-keeper Jemima Spence.
“In terms of what we’ve walked away from, in terms of learning, sometimes it can stick with you for longer than any success and help you in the future,” Perry added. “We have some wonderful young players in this group.
“Phoebe Brett was outstanding. She took on a tough powerplay against Hayley Matthews, one of the best players in the world, and she did it with aplomb. Then she came back.
“Davina is super exciting. She plays with flair. She came off a lean amount of preparation so for her to get a couple of scores is a great result in the scheme of things, given the context of her lead-up.
“Jemima Spence didn’t get the runs she’d have wanted, but it goes unnoticed just how good she is behind the stumps. She’s such a young player and it’s not always an easy surface to keep on here.
“She’s a huge star of the future, we’re lucky to have her here at the franchise and I look forward to playing with her in the future.”
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