Birmingham Phoenix ended their winless start to the women’s Hundred season by beating Welsh Fire by seven wickets with one ball remaining at Edgbaston. The result lifts Phoenix from the bottom of the table to fifth after four matches, while Fire fall to seventh, and it was secured by captain Ellyse Perry’s composed late hitting.

Phoenix chased 145 after Welsh Fire made 144-3, led by former Phoenix player Georgia Voll’s 78 from 55 balls and Sophie Devine’s unbeaten 35 from 19. Alice Capsey took 2-24 before scoring 51 from 29, sharing an 86-run third-wicket partnership with Perry, who finished unbeaten on 68 from 46; Perry then hit a six and four in the final set to complete the chase.