Birmingham Phoenix Edge Welsh Fire in Thrilling Hundred Finish
Birmingham Phoenix clinched a narrow victory over Welsh Fire in The Hundred women's competition, winning 145-144 on 1 August 2026. The result kept the hosts in seventh place with ten points from seven games, while Welsh Fire remained fifth with sixteen points following their eighth match of the tournament.
By then, both sides had shown inconsistency in recent outings. Birmingham had lost three of their last four matches, including a heavy 116-140 defeat to Southern Brave and a close 64-68 loss to Trent Rockets. Welsh Fire's form was similarly mixed, with victories over Oval Invincibles and defeats against Southern Brave and Trent Rockets.
The match itself proved to be a contest of runs rather than wickets. Birmingham accumulated 145 runs while Welsh Fire chased down 144, falling short by a single run. It was a tight finish that reflected both teams' batting depth and the pressure of a knockout-style tournament.
The result means Birmingham stayed in the hunt for a top-six finish, though they still needed to improve upon their two wins from seven attempts. Welsh Fire, despite the loss, maintained their position above the hosts and kept their own playoff hopes alive with four victories from eight games.
Both sides have now completed their group stages, with Birmingham sitting on ten points and Welsh Fire on sixteen. The final standings will determine who advances, and this result leaves both teams still within reach of the play-offs.