London Spirit emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Birmingham Phoenix at Lord’s, securing a 20-run victory. Meg Lanning, the Australian captain, played a pivotal role for Spirit, scoring her maiden half-century in the Hundred.
The match witnessed a crowd of 16,641, marking the fifth-highest attendance in the history of the women’s Hundred. The contest was fiercely competitive, with both teams showcasing their strengths.
Phoenix, despite their previous struggles, threatened to pull off an upset. Ellyse Perry, the Australian all-rounder, played a valiant innings of 65, while Sophie Devine, the New Zealand captain, contributed 37 runs.
However, Spirit’s bowling attack proved too strong, with Sarah Glenn claiming three crucial wickets in the final overs. Glenn’s performance sealed the victory for Heather Knight’s side, who now boast a perfect 2-0 record in the tournament.
Lanning, reflecting on the match, acknowledged the challenges faced by her team. “The wicket was conducive to taking the pace off the ball, making it difficult for us,” she said. “But we adjusted our strategy and bowled straight at the stumps, which ultimately paid off.”
Earlier, Spirit had set a competitive total of 147 for 9. Lanning led the charge with a well-crafted 53, while Georgia Redmayne and Cordelia Griffith also made significant contributions.
Phoenix’s chase began promisingly, with Perry and Devine forming a formidable partnership. However, the required run rate proved too demanding, and Spirit’s bowlers maintained their composure to secure the victory.
