The Hundred: Shafali Verma leads Birmingham Phoenix to stunning victory over Welsh Fire
Verma underlined her prodigious talent at Edgbaston with an unbeaten 76 from 42 balls, combining magnificently with Eve Jones, who made 52 from 35 balls, to seal the first 10-wicket success of The Hundred
Monday 9 August 2021 19:00, UK
India's teenage sensation Shafali Verma compiled an unbeaten 131-run partnership with Eve Jones, as Birmingham Phoenix kept their slender qualification hopes alive with a comprehensive 10-wicket win over Welsh Fire in The Hundred.
Phoenix were adrift at the foot of the table heading into Monday's clash, but Verma's stunning 76 from 42 balls saw them register their first victory on home soil, which catapults them up to fifth in the standings...
STORY OF THE MATCH
Welsh Fire appeared poised to post a formidable total following a blistering powerplay. Bryony Smith (38 off 34) exploited an early reprieve to provide the impetus, and Hayley Matthews (13 off 11) crashed back-to-back boundaries as the visitors raced to 36-0 off 25.
The Fire's momentum was halted briefly when the introduction of Abtaha Maqsood (1-32) led to Matthews' demise, although the trio of Smith, Georgia Redmayne (17) and Sarah Taylor (16) continued to score with fluency.
However, Taylor's departure sparked a dramatic batting collapse, and an impressive fielding display from Phoenix saw them claim five wickets for just 14 runs, to restrict Welsh Fire to 127 in an action-packed conclusion to the innings.
Emily Arlott impressed with 1-13 off her 15; Erin Burns (1-19 off 20) took a wonderful reflex catch to account for her compatriot Redmayne, before Kirstie Gordon (2-30) claimed two late wickets as Phoenix finished with a flourish.
In reply, Verma and Jones shattered a host of records in their remarkable partnership, posting the highest powerplay total in the women's tournament so far courtesy of Verma's heroics.
Play was halted following a brief rain shower, although Phoenix were firmly in control at 86-0 off 46 deliveries, with Verma unbeaten on 61.
Following the resumption, Jones grasped the initiative and produced some glorious strokes to bring up her half-century, before Verma unleashed another trademark blow through mid-wicket, to wrap up victory with 24 balls to spare.
MATCH HERO
It's easy to forget that Shafali Verma is just 17-years-old. She showcased her prodigious talent throughout India's tour of England earlier this summer, but following a subdued start to The Hundred, she came alive with a majestic knock at Edgbaston.
The enigmatic teenager had amassed 71 runs in her previous five innings for the Phoenix, but she doubled her tally in a sensational 42-ball knock, registering nine fours and two sixes.
Verma's blistering start to proceedings took the game away from Welsh Fire's beleaguered bowling attack, and she unselfishly decelerated in the closing stages, enabling her opening partner Jones to register her first half-century of the competition.
WONDERFUL WORK FROM JONES
Welsh Fire were threatening to inflict serious damage on the hosts with Sarah Taylor going strongly in the first innings, only for Amy Jones to produce a wonderful piece of wicket-keeping to account for her England predecessor.
Taylor advanced down the wicket to an over-pitched delivery from Eve Jones, but Amy Jones displayed lightning-quick hands to dismiss her opposite number, which arguably shifted the pendulum in Phoenix's favour.
WHAT THEY SAID
Amy Jones, Birmingham Phoenix captain: "It has been a tough tournament for us so far. We're so happy to get the win - our last game at home.
"The support here has been amazing and we've not given them a win yet, so it meant a lot to us today, to show how good we are. We are very proud of that performance.
"I think the foundation that we have created and the team environment is brilliant, and I'm just looking forward to building on it from here."
Sophie Luff, Welsh Fire captain: "It was a really tough day. They obviously batted particularly well and probably not enough runs on the board for us yet again.
"We definitely saw today as a must-win. If we were to get another win on Wednesday that would probably set us up for our last game in a week's time, but it wasn't to be today.
"We have got a quick turnaround now, so hopefully the girls will pick themselves up and bounce back on Wednesday."
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Hundred Live
The Hundred Live
Emirates Old Trafford is the destination for Tuesday's double-header, as Manchester Originals and London Spirit lock horns, with both matches live on Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Mix and Sky Sports Main Event from 2.30pm and 6pm respectively.
It is a must-win game for both sides in the women's competition. Despite claiming their first win with victory over table-topping Southern Brave, the Originals occupy seventh spot, while Spirit sit sixth - having ended a run of three straight defeats in their last outing.
Eoin Morgan's Spirit remain winless following a miserable campaign thus far, but victory for the Originals will see them draw level on points with table-topping Trent Rockets.
Watch The Hundred live on Sky Sports between now and August 21.
