Northern Superchargers won at Edgbaston by 61 runs with 14 balls to spare to keep the pressure on the frontrunners, in a game that Birmingham Phoenix were in with a shout at the halfway point. A well-judged 49 not out from Alice Davidson-Richards was the difference between the two sides, who still have much to play for.
In the Hundred this year, judging what a decent total is to defend has been difficult. 115 for five looked below par, with the top order unable to contribute runs. The Superchargers were in trouble at 25 for three in the powerplay before a stand of 43 between Annabel Sutherland and Alice Davidson-Richards started to turn things around for the visitors.
Davidson-Richards batted within herself, but the superchargers needed it as Phoenix bowled 60 balls of spin on a worn pitch. In a weird twist, it was the pace of Ellyse Perry, with two for 13 and Emily Arlott, two for 22, who were the main wicket-takers.
Whilst the Superchargers found a way through, Phoenix struggled from the get-go and were 13 for two from the powerplay, with Perry out to a superb caught and bowled from Linsey Smith. Grace Ballinger had bowled well, charging in from the City End and cleaned up Sterre Kalis for a five-ball duck. The writing was on the wall early on.
None of the Phoenix batters settled, as the Superchargers were able to squeeze out whatever resistance the Phoenix put up. Kalis wasn’t the only Phoenix batter to trudge back with a five-ball duck to her name as Richa Ghosh was given out lbw. The decision looked debatable, but the more it was reviewed, it was a good decision by the on-field umpire.
Sophie Devine, with 20 from 25 balls and Seren Smale, with 16 from 20 balls, were the only Phoenix batters to reach double figures as they were bowled out for just 54.
This win puts the Superchargers back up to second on net run-rate about Oval Invincibles, while Birmingham Phoenix now sit in sixth. They aren’t out of the running for a top-three finish, although they will now have to hope they can put a string of wins together.
As for the Superchargers, they put in another competent performance without doing anything spectacular. As we enter the business end of the season, some players are starting to find their feet and it will take a good team to stop them in their tracks.
