Top 3 reasons why Birmingham Phoenix Women lost to Trent Rockets Women in the Hundred Women's 2025 match 31

Birmingham Phoenix Women lost to Trent Rockets Women in Match 31 of The Hundred Women's 2025. Phoenix posted 123/6 in their 100 balls, with Emma Lamb anchoring the innings with a fine 56* off 42 deliveries. However, other batters like Ellyse Perry and Marie Kelly only managed 14 runs each, leaving the total short of a big score. In response, Trent Rockets chased down the target in 97 balls, finishing their innings at 126/7. Natalie Sciver played an incredible innings of 52 off just 29 balls to change the game as Trent Rockets won by just 3 wickets and 3 balls to spare. Below are the main reasons for the Birmingham Phoenix Women defeat.

1. Nat Sciver-Brunt’s Match-winning Blitz

Natalie Sciver produced an awesome 52 off just 29 balls to help the Rockets chase the total down and helped turn the momentum in their favor with her aggressive stroke-play and calmness in pressure situations. She dealt with the Phoenix bowlers expertly, scoring very freely at important times. Without her knock, this would have been a much tougher chase.

2. Tight and Penetrative Spin from Rockets

The Rockets' spinners bowled intelligently to restrict Phoenix in its innings. Kirstie Gordon (2/24), Ashleigh Gardner (1/18) and Alana King (1/21) all bowled economically and made runs come at a premium. Their relatively economic spells allowed them to build pressure in the middle overs and stop Phoenix from fully accelerating when they had wickets in hand. That pressure and level of control were essential in keeping the final target manageable.

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3. Inadequate Lower-order Support

Emma Lamb's unbeaten 56 anchored the Phoenix innings; however, she didn't have much support. Perry and Kelly both had starts, but neither converted their innings into big contributions. With the lower order failing to add with late acceleration, the team ended with a below-par 123/6, which probably cost them the match, losing by 3 wickets.