MI London Women vs Birmingham Phoenix Women Match 32 Full Commentary

Welcome back for the run chase. The umpires and the players are out in the middle. Davina Perrin and Jemima Spence open up for Birmingham Phoenix Women. Tara Norris will start with the new ball. Let's play...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

A strong finish to target 121 - Alana King broke the threatening stand by getting Henry caught, and Armitage fell late to Eva Gray, who finished as the pick of the bowlers with two wickets. However, a neat late cameo from Nicola Carey helped push MI London to 120/6 at the end of their 100 balls. It was a tough, grinding batting performance, but with 121 needed to win, the bowlers have a solid score to defend on this deck.

Armitage and Henry turn the tide - At the halfway mark, MI London were struggling at 54/4 after Alice Monaghan was bowled by Eva Gray. Captain Hollie Armitage anchored the innings with a sensible 32, but it was Chinelle Henry who provided the real spark. Henry launched a counter-attack, smashing 42 off 33 balls with four boundaries and a six. Together, the duo put on a crucial 56-run partnership for the fifth wicket to revive the innings and give their team a fighting chance.

MI London Women end their innings at 120/6 - After being asked to bat first, MI London found themselves on the back foot early in the Powerplay. Lauren Filer drew first blood by trapping Kira Chathli, and just as Hayley Matthews was getting going with a brisk 21, Fatima Sana removed her on the very last ball of the Powerplay to leave the side at 29/2. The trouble deepened immediately on the next ball when Amelia Kerr fell for a duck to Phoebe Brett, forcing the batting side into complete rebuild mode.

Eva Gray to bowl the last 5 of the innings.

Nicola Carey is the next batter on.

A final farewell to the league stage - With Birmingham’s 5-wicket victory securing only their second win of the season, they concluded their campaign in seventh place, while MI London finished at the rock bottom of the table, leaving both franchises with tough decisions to make after a disappointing year. This clash officially wraps up the women's league stage, shifting the focus to the high-stakes postseason where the Sunrisers Leeds Women will battle the Southern Brave Women in the Eliminator on August 14th at 1.15 pm GMT. However, the action is far from over today, one pivotal league match remains in the men's division to decide the final playoff spot, featuring the men's counterparts of these very same franchises. Make sure to switch tabs right away to catch all the live updates and action from that crucial upcoming contest. Cheers!

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Ellyse Perry wins the award for playing a match-winning knock of 62 off 39 balls. Ellyse Perry says it is nice to finish on a high and she cannot fault the team's effort throughout the tournament. They gave everything but it did not come off on the field, so to end well at home in a great atmosphere as usual is lovely. On her innings, Perry says it was a pretty good wicket to bat on. There was not much turn but the wicket was holding up slightly for the spinners. She highlights Phoebe Brett for bowling exceptionally well, along with Alana King and Eva Gray, who were excellent for them all season. On Fatima Sana's knock, Perry calls her a world-class player and says it is the first time she has got the opportunity to play alongside her in franchise cricket.

Phoenix restricted London to a modest 120 - A disciplined bowling performance from Birmingham Phoenix kept MI London in check throughout their innings, restricting them to a modest 120/6 after Phoenix won the toss and elected to field first. MI London suffered early setbacks as Kira Meghan Chathli departed cheaply, followed by Hayley Matthews for 21 at the end of the Powerplay, leaving the visitors at 29/2. The slide continued when Amelia Kerr fell for a golden duck, and Alice Monaghan was dismissed for 12, leaving the side struggling at 54/4 at the halfway mark. Despite the pressure and a slow scoring rate that saw them at 74/4 after 75 balls, Chinelle Henry and Captain Hollie Armitage provided a crucial late surge with a valuable 56-run partnership off 44 balls. Henry played the role of the aggressor with a vital 42 off 33 balls before falling in the penultimate set, while Armitage contributed a steady 32 off 31 balls before being dismissed on the final delivery of the innings. Ultimately, the visitors added 29 runs in the final three sets to scrape past the hundred mark, largely contained by Eva Gray, who finished as the standout performer for the Phoenix with impressive figures of 2/29.

Perry and Sana script stunning final game win - Just as the game seemed to be slipping away, Ellyse Perry and Fatima Sana joined forces to execute a brilliant rescue act and guide Birmingham home by 5 wickets. Perry anchored the chase superbly with a magnificent, match-winning half-century, while Sana provided unwavering support from the other end with a sturdy knock of 38. Together, the duo stitched an unbeaten 66-run partnership for the fifth wicket to help the team around the finish line, handing Birmingham only their second win of the season and capping off a difficult campaign with a memorable consolation victory for their home fans.

London's early strike and Birmingham's comeback - Chasing a target of 121, Birmingham Phoenix endured a nightmarish start to their innings as MI London's bowlers struck early and put the batting lineup under immense pressure. Kirstie Gordon spearheaded the initial onslaught by picking up two crucial wickets, while Tara Norris and Amelia Kerr claimed one wicket apiece to rip through the Phoenix top order. This clinical opening bowling spell left Birmingham reeling at a precarious 48/4, threatening to derail their final match and condemn them to yet another defeat.

Birmingham Phoenix Women need 6 runs from 10 balls now. Hayley Matthews is back on.

Annerie Dercksen is the next batter.

Birmingham Phoenix Women well in control of the chase.