Phoenix eliminated as Fire bring up first win

Jess Jonassen (44 off 17; 3 for 24) and Hayley Matthews (34* off 33; 3 for 21) starred with commanding all-round performances as Welsh Fire downed Birmingham Phoenix by a comfortable 36-run margin at Edgbaston.

Sophia Dunkley's fifty helped visitors post a formidable 150/3 in their 100 balls before restricting Phoenix to just 114 in reply despite skipper Ellyse Perry's valiant half-century.

Dunkley led the brief opening partnership with Tammy Beaumont, who was dismissed for 2 off 6 deliveries. Dunkley then combined with Matthews for a 71-run stand, raising her half-century en route. She was bowled by Hannah Baker after reaching the milestone. Matthews was then joined by the explosive Jonassen who slammed four sixes and three boundaries in her 17-ball cameo. Schutt denied her a half-century by six runs. Matthews finished unbeaten on 34 off 33 balls, but it was Jonassen's knock that took Fire's score from strong to a challenging 150/3.

Phoenix's chase never gained momentum. They were set back early by Shabnim Ismail, who removed both Emma Lamb and Marie Kelly for two-ball ducks in her first set. Perry arrived at the crease and added 55 runs for the third-wicket stand with Georgia Voll, who scored 29 in 18 deliveries.

Jonassen broke that stand and Matthews dismissed Amy Jones for a first-ball duck. Sterre Kalis made 15 before becoming Jonassen's second victim and Alisa Lister followed her back into the hut in quick succession, leaving Phoenix six-down for 100 on the board in 82 balls.

Perry's departure soon after – she became Ismail's third wicket on the day – spelled doom for the chase. Matthews added two more to her tally to keep the home side down to just 114/9 for a convincing win. For Phoenix, this was a fifth consecutive loss after a winning start to their season, ending their slim chances of qualifying.

Brief scores:
Welsh Fire 150/3 in 100 balls (Sophia Dunkley 53, Jess Jonassen 44, Hayley Matthews 34*; Megan Schutt 2-11) beat Birmingham Phoenix 114/9 in 100 balls (Ellyse Perry 55, Georgia Voll 29; Shabnim Ismail 3-16, Hayley Matthews 3-21, Jess Jonassen 3-24) by 36 runs