As the Hundred Women 2025 edges closer to its business end, the spotlight falls on Match 24, where Birmingham Phoenix Women face Welsh Fire Women in a must-win showdown. With both teams languishing at the bottom of the table, the stakes couldn’t be higher, every run and every wicket carry the weight of their campaign.
Phoenix will be banking on their top-order flair and experienced bowling attack to spark a revival, while Welsh Fire seek their first breakthrough win of the season. With pressure mounting and pride on the line, this clash has all the makings of a gritty battle that could redefine the momentum for either side.
Squads:
Birmingham Phoenix Women’s Cricket Team
Ellyse Perry, Georgia Voll, Emma Lamb, Amy Jones, Megan Schutt, Emily Arlott, Hannah Baker, Georgie Boyce, Sterre Kalis, Marie Kelly, Bethan Ellis, Ailsa Lister, Mary Taylor, Millie Taylor, Phoebe Brett
Welsh Fire Women’s Cricket Team
Tammy Beaumont, Sophia Dunkley, Hayley Matthews, Jess Jonassen, Sarah Bryce, Shabnim Ismail, Freya Davies, Georgia Elwiss, Katie George, Georgia Davis, Katie Levick, Emily Windsor, Beth Langston, Charley Phillips, Alex Griffiths
Players to watch out:
Emma Lamb
Joining Birmingham Phoenix in 2025, Emma Lamb has already shown her value at the top of the order. Against London Spirit, she contributed a handy 23 runs, anchoring the innings in testing conditions. Over the course of this season, Lamb has accumulated 120 runs, with the highest score of 55, demonstrating her ability to build innings as well as accelerate when required. Her adaptability and experience from international cricket add much-needed stability to the Phoenix batting lineup.
Em Arlott
A reliable force with the ball, Emily Arlott has been one of Birmingham Phoenix’s consistent wicket-takers. In this season’s clash against London Spirit, she impressed with figures of 3/25, showcasing her ability to strike in crucial phases. Across her stint in The Hundred, Arlott has now claimed 43 wickets, with her best return being a sharp 3/15, underlining her knack for breaking partnerships. Her control with the new ball and ability to extract movement from helpful surfaces makes her a vital asset for the Phoenix bowling attack.
Georgia Elwiss
One of the experienced campaigners in the side, Georgia Elwiss has been a steady contributor in the middle order. Her unbeaten 36 against Southern Brave highlighted her fighting spirit, even though it came in a losing cause. Since joining Welsh Fire in 2023, Elwiss has tallied 199 runs, with her personal best being 36. While yet to convert her starts into big scores, her composure under pressure and ability to hold the innings together make her a dependable option in crunch situations.
Jess Jonassen
A proven all-rounder, Jess Jonassen has been a standout performer for Welsh Fire both with bat and ball. Her spell of 4/10 against Southern Brave remains one of the finest bowling displays of the season, showing her class and experience in dismantling opposition line-ups. With 18 wickets in The Hundred and the best of 4/10, Jonassen has consistently troubled batters with her accuracy and variations. Adding to her bowling, she has also contributed 241 runs with the bat, including the highest of 54, proving her worth as a genuine match-winner in both departments.
Pitch:
The surface at Edgbaston is traditionally helpful for seamers early on, especially under cloudy skies, with swing and lateral movement on offer. Batters may find the going tricky in the initial overs but can expect conditions to improve as the pitch settles, providing a truer bounce and rewarding stroke play. Once set, batters will have the chance to capitalize, making partnerships crucial.
Weather:
Birmingham is set to enjoy pleasant playing conditions with a temperature of around 21°C. There is only a 10% chance of precipitation, and humidity levels are expected at 53%, ensuring swing bowlers may find some assistance. Overall, it looks promising for a full game without major weather interruptions.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Tammy Beaumont, Hayley Matthews, Jess Jonassen, Shabnim Ismail, Georgia Elwiss, Ellyse Perry, Amy Jones, Megan Schutt, Emily Arlott, Emma Lamb, Sophia Dunkley
Match Details:
Date – August 22, 2025
Time – 7:30 PM IST
Venue – Edgbaston, Birmingham
Broadcast – The game will be live streamed on FanCode and telecasted on Sony Sports Network.
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