Southern Brave continued their dominant run in the tournament, securing a 24-run victory against the winless Birmingham Phoenix to reach 16 points. The result marks the fourth consecutive win for the side, keeping them firmly at the top of the standings.
The Brave innings was built on a strong foundation provided by openers Lizelle Lee and Maia Bouchier. Lee delivered an explosive performance in the powerplay, scoring 43 runs off just 28 balls, featuring seven boundaries and two sixes. Bouchier was equally effective, contributing a 31-ball 45 with eight boundaries. The opening pair put together a 68-run stand, followed by a 29-run partnership between Bouchier and Laura Wolvaardt. Jemimah Rodrigues, who initially struggled to find her rhythm, provided a late surge by scoring 20 runs in her final nine deliveries, including three fours in the last five, to lift the team to a total of 140/3.
Birmingham Phoenix responded with a promising chase led by Tammy Beaumont and Davina Perrin. The pair established a 73-run partnership in 56 balls, keeping the required rate under control. However, the momentum shifted after the strategic timeout, with the Phoenix needing 54 runs from 30 balls. Alice Capsey fell to a Lauren Bell slower ball, and Perrin, who had survived three separate reprieves on her way to a 40-ball half-century, was dismissed shortly after when she miscued a shot to long-on.
The collapse proved fatal for the Phoenix chase, as Southern Brave captain Sophie Molineux claimed two quick wickets to tighten the pressure. Despite late boundaries from Ellyse Perry, Birmingham Phoenix could not recover and finished on 116/5, remaining at the bottom of the table. The match concluded with Southern Brave defending their 140-run total successfully to maintain their undefeated streak.
Then Perrin, who had enjoyed as many as three reprieves on her way to a 40-ball half-century, miscued one as she lofted Sarah Glenn's leg-break to Bouchier at long-on.
The South African chipped in a 43 in just 28 balls, seven boundaries and two sixes included.
