The fourth match of the 2026 Women’s Hundred will see Birmingham Phoenix begin their campaign against Trent Rockets at Edgbaston on July 24. While both teams are yet to play a game this season, expectations are already high given the quality packed into both squads. The Hundred has evolved into one of the premier franchise competitions in women’s cricket, bringing together international stars and England’s finest domestic talent in a fast-paced 100-ball format. The 2026 edition has also ushered in a new era for the tournament with franchise investment, revamped squads and an increasingly competitive player auction, making every contest crucial from the very beginning of the league stage.
Birmingham Phoenix will rely on a healthy mix of proven international experience and dependable domestic performers, while Trent Rockets arrive with a balanced squad featuring established England internationals and quality all-rounders. Momentum is everything in a short competition like The Hundred, and starting with a victory can set the tone for the rest of the campaign. With Birmingham aiming to make full use of home conditions at Edgbaston, three players in particular, Ellyse Perry, Emma Lamb and Linsey Smith, could play defining roles in determining the outcome of the contest.
Ellyse Perry
Few players in world cricket possess the all-round pedigree of Ellyse Perry, and Birmingham Phoenix will once again look towards the Australian superstar to deliver in both departments. Perry enters the tournament with an outstanding overall record in The Hundred, having represented Southern Brave before moving to Birmingham Phoenix. Across 144 Women’s Hundred matches, she has amassed 5,101 runs at a remarkable average of 49.04 while striking at 111.13. Her consistency is reflected in three centuries and 34 half-centuries, alongside an impressive tally of 585 boundaries and 82 sixes. With the ball, Perry has been equally effective, claiming 72 wickets at an average of 32.79 and maintaining an economy rate of just 7.17, proving her ability to control the middle overs while also breaking partnerships. Since joining Birmingham Phoenix, she has featured in 22 Women’s Hundred matches, scoring 545 runs at a strike rate of 127.03 with five fifties, while also taking 10 wickets. Perry enjoyed another excellent franchise season earlier this year in the Women’s Premier League, where she accumulated 972 runs in 25 matches at a superb average of 64.80 and a strike rate nearing 133. Her ability to adapt to different match situations, build innings patiently or accelerate when required makes her Phoenix’s most valuable asset. Against a Trent Rockets bowling attack featuring experienced campaigners, Perry’s calmness under pressure and immense experience in knockout-style cricket could prove decisive if Birmingham are to begin their season with a winning performance.
Emma Lamb
England opener Emma Lamb provides Birmingham Phoenix with stability at the top of the order, and her role could be every bit as important as Perry’s. Lamb has quietly established herself as one of England’s most reliable white-ball batters through consistent domestic performances. In Women’s Hundred cricket she has played 35 matches, scoring 565 runs at a strike rate of 120.21, including three half-centuries. While those numbers may not immediately grab headlines, they underline her value as a batter capable of giving her side strong starts and batting deep into an innings. Her ability to rotate strike, punish loose deliveries and build partnerships is particularly valuable in the condensed Hundred format, where every delivery carries additional significance. Lamb also offers useful off-spin when required, adding another tactical option for Birmingham Phoenix, having bowled 215 deliveries and picked up five wickets in the competition. Her calm temperament makes her an ideal foil for more aggressive batters around her, allowing Phoenix to structure their innings effectively. Facing a Rockets attack that includes quality spin and pace options, Lamb’s ability to negotiate the new ball and maintain scoring momentum could lay the platform for Birmingham’s explosive middle order. If she converts her starts into a substantial innings, Phoenix will significantly strengthen their chances of posting, or chasing, a match-winning total in their tournament opener.
Linsey Smith
Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith has become one of England’s most dependable T20 bowlers over the past few seasons, and Birmingham Phoenix will expect her to play a leading role with the ball throughout the tournament. Smith brings exceptional control and consistency into the competition, qualities that become even more valuable in the Hundred where bowlers have very little margin for error. Across 34 Women’s Hundred appearances, she has claimed 33 wickets while maintaining an impressive economy rate of just 6.66, highlighting her ability to keep opposition batters under constant pressure. Her broader franchise record is equally impressive, with 42 wickets in Women’s 100-ball competitions overall at an outstanding average of 19.64 and an economy rate below seven. Smith has also showcased her quality in the Women’s Big Bash League, where she collected 33 wickets in 34 matches, underlining her ability to perform against world-class batting line-ups across different conditions. Although primarily selected for her bowling, she has demonstrated the ability to contribute useful lower-order runs whenever required. Against a Trent Rockets batting unit containing several experienced internationals, Smith’s variations in flight, pace and angle could prove invaluable during the middle phase of the innings, where wickets often dictate the direction of the game. If she succeeds in restricting scoring while removing key batters, Birmingham Phoenix will gain a significant advantage in what promises to be a closely contested opening fixture of their 2026 Women’s Hundred campaign.