Birmingham Phoenix claimed their first victory of the 2026 women's Hundred season on August 1, beating Welsh Fire by seven wickets with one ball to spare at Edgbaston.
English soccer star Jude Bellingham, who acquired a 1.2 percent stake in the Phoenix earlier this year, watched from the stands, according to Sky Sports and the BBC.
Chasing 145, the Phoenix leaned on an 86-run third-wicket stand between Alice Capsey and captain Ellyse Perry.
Capsey smashed 51 off 29 balls and also took two wickets, while Perry anchored the chase with an unbeaten 68 off 46 deliveries, lifting the team off the bottom of the table, as reported by the BBC.
Needing 10 runs from the final three balls, Perry sealed the win with a six over deep mid-wicket and then a boundary through point, moving Birmingham to fifth place with three points, according to Sky Sports.
"It is lovely to have the win at home, amazing atmosphere here today.
I thought we did pretty well to restrict the Fire there with our bowling and then [we] just timed it at the end to get over the line," said Perry.
The Phoenix had lost two of their opening three fixtures to Southern Brave and Trent Rockets, with one match abandoned due to rain prior to Saturday's contest, according to Sky Sports.
"The results haven't been there for us but we've had a lot of fun as a group. Today was another cool opportunity and a nice challenge," said Perry.
Perry emphasized the importance of partnerships during the chase.
"Partnerships are crucial and the way Alice batted today was outstanding. To have the opportunity there to take it deep and have a chance in the last 10.
It was a great contest," she added.
Earlier, Welsh Fire posted 144 for three from their 100 balls after being put in to bat.
Georgia Voll top-scored with 78 off 55 balls against her former team, while Sophie Devine contributed an unbeaten 35 off 19 deliveries, according to reports from the BBC and Sky Sports.
In earlier action, Southern Brave's men's team earned a 12-run victory against Birmingham Phoenix at the Utilita Bowl, according to the Farnham Herald.
Southern Brave set a target of 128 for eight behind Marcus Stoinis's 34 before bowling out Phoenix for 116, with Luke Wood securing two late wickets.
