1:55pm That will be all from us for this game. Plenty of Hundred action still in store, though, and you can catch all the action on ESPNcricinfo. Until next time, from Vairavan and me, this is goodbye!

Amy Jones is the Meerkat Match Hero: Always good to come through for the team and to get a win on the board, it is a great feeling. Going in, we were looking at 140-150, so we were a bit short of that. In the tactical time-out, we decided someone needed to bat through and with intent. Arlott's innings there was the difference. Clearing the fence with ease - that is what we needed. Pez's (Perry's) start was unbelievable. When you have someone like that, who can deliver such performances, it is a huge lift for the team. We were really good in the field and backed up the bowlers. (On what has changed) Acknowledging that we were not very far away (from winning). Very easy to group last season with this season but Pez has been clear on separating the two, and happy with the win today.

1:48pm At the half-way stage, 137 felt a middling score. But now, it feels plenty. And all of that was because the Birmingham Phoenix bowled their hearts out. An accomplished display, headlined and set up by captain Perry, who bagged three wickets across a ten-ball sequence. The spinners then got into their groove, with Baker, Levick and Pavely doing their jobs perfectly. Pavely, like Perry, finished with a three-wicket haul, and only gave away 21 runs from her 20-ball spell.

A classic case of running out of steam in a run-chase for the Brave. They were going very well, especially when Kemp and Wyatt were at the crease, having consolidated after an early collapse. Both, though, fell in relatively quick succession and they just could not recover. Their much-vaunted top order also failed to come to the party and those are aspects they will want to rectify, especially as push comes to shove and a playoff spot threatens to slip away.

19.2
W
Levick to Bell, OUT, that will be that! The Birmingham Phoenix have gone back-to-back, and the Southern Brave, defending champions, are still winless in 2024! Zipped in full on leg stump. Bell gives the charge, perhaps in pre-meditated fashion. Ends up yorking herself and the ball sneaks under the bat, going on to smash leg stump soon after. Smiles all around in the Phoenix camp, and it looks like they enjoyed this win, having been behind in this game about half an hour ago. Another missed opportunity for the Brave, and their winless streak continues!

LK Bell b Levick 5 (5m 4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 125.00

19.1
W
Levick to Bell, 1 run, OUT, Tossed up on a length outside off. Bell advances and tugs it down the ground towards long off. A slight misfield and that prompts the batters to risk the second. Not the wisest decision in the world, though. The throw comes in at the bowler's end and Levick whips off the bails, with Cheatle short of her ground!

L Cheatle run out 2 (6m 2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 100.00

18 off 5. The Southern Brave need something truly special to get across the line from here. Levick to bowl

END OF OVER:
19 | 6 Runs 1 Wkt | SB-W: 120/8 (18 runs required from 5 balls, RR: 6.31, RRR: 18.00)

  • Lauren Bell4 (2b)
  • Lauren Cheatle2 (2b)
  • Emily Arlott3.5-0-31-1
  • Charis Pavely3.5-0-21-3
18.5
2
Arlott to Bell, 2 runs, full outside off. Bell sits deep in her crease and gives it the lot. Does not middle it but chips it enough to long off's right to pick up another brace
18.4
2
Arlott to Bell, 2 runs, full toss outside off. Bell reaches out for it and clinks it towards long off. Both batters decide to chance their arm on the second and eventually make it

Here's Bell

Brave 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st18DN WyattS Mandhana
2nd0DN WyattME Bouchier
3rd3DN WyattGL Adams
4th68DN WyattFG Kemp
5th3DN WyattCL Tryon
6th21CL TryonND Dattani
7th0ND DattaniR Southby
8th3L CheatleND Dattani
9th5L CheatleLK Bell
10th0LK BellMR Corteen-Coleman