Sunrisers Leeds Women defeated Birmingham Phoenix Women by nine wickets in The Hundred at Edgbaston, eliminating the home side from the tournament.
Why it matters: This victory keeps Sunrisers Leeds in contention and marks the end of Birmingham Phoenix's hopes for the knockout stages. The match showcased Phoebe Litchfield's record-breaking performance.
Sunrisers Leeds scored 111-1 in just 69 balls, chasing down Birmingham Phoenix's 107-9 with 31 balls to spare.
Phoebe Litchfield's unbeaten 71 runs off 33 balls included the fastest half-century in The Hundred Women's competition history, reached in just 20 deliveries.
The result eliminated Birmingham Phoenix, MI London, and London Spirit from the competition.
Driving the news: Litchfield's explosive batting led the charge for Sunrisers Leeds. She hit 13 fours and one six, demonstrating her ability to dominate the bowlers.
After a shaky start, Litchfield formed an unbroken partnership of 87 runs with Lauren Winfield-Hill, who contributed 26 runs.
Birmingham Phoenix's innings struggled, with only two batters reaching double figures, highlighting their batting frailties this season.
Deepti Sharma and Kate Cross delivered exceptional bowling performances, taking 3-11 and 2-14, respectively, to restrict Phoenix’s scoring.
The big picture: The match at Edgbaston was played on a perfect pitch, allowing for a high-scoring affair that underscored the competitive nature of The Hundred.
Phoenix's total of 107 was their second-lowest score of the season, emphasizing their struggles with consistency in batting.
Ellyse Perry, who scored 31 off 22 balls, was the only other Phoenix player to make a notable contribution.
With this win, Sunrisers Leeds moved above Welsh Fire into fourth place and are just two points behind Manchester Super Giants for the last knockout spot.
What they're saying: Litchfield expressed her confidence in her approach to batting, stating, "You die by the sword at times but I think putting the pressure back on the bowlers is the way to go in T20 or Hundred cricket." This reflects her aggressive mindset and strategic thinking in the game.
Coach Adi Birrell praised the team's resilience and adaptability, noting the successful reshuffling of the batting order prior to the match.
Annabel Sutherland highlighted the importance of maintaining momentum as they aim for the knockout stages, stating, "If you get five wins out of eight, you should be there in the Eliminator." This indicates the team's focus on future matches.
By the numbers: Litchfield's performance secured the win and set a new benchmark for fast scoring in The Hundred.
Litchfield's 71 runs came off just 33 balls, with her half-century coming in a record 20 balls.
Only two Phoenix players reached double figures: Emma Lamb with 47 and Ellyse Perry with 31.
The match saw Phoenix collapse from 100-3 to 107-9, losing four wickets for just five runs in a dramatic finish.
What's next: Sunrisers Leeds will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next match, aiming to secure their place in the knockout stages.
Both Sunrisers Leeds and the men's team are currently fifth in their respective tables, fighting for a playoff position.
With just two matches left in the group stage, every game will be a must-win for the teams involved.
Sunrisers Leeds will continue to rely on their star players like Litchfield and Perry to drive their performance in upcoming fixtures.