Women's Hundred 2025 Match Preview: Manchester Originals Women vs Birmingham Phoenix Women

Date: 24 August 2025
Time: 14:30 GMT
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester

Match Context

The 28th match of the Women's Hundred 2025 sees Manchester Originals Women take on Birmingham Phoenix Women at Old Trafford in what could be a pivotal game for the former as they aim to secure a top-four finish. Manchester Originals are currently placed third in the table and still in the race for a semi-final berth, while Birmingham Phoenix are all but out of contention, having struggled to find consistency in recent matches.

Team Form & Momentum

Manchester Originals Women have shown glimpses of strong form in their recent games. They defeated the Welsh Fire by 7 wickets and the Trent Rockets by a staggering 10 wickets, demonstrating their ability to chase down modest totals with ease. Their bowling attack, led by Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Filer, has been particularly effective in tight conditions, and their spin-heavy lineup is well-suited to Old Trafford's surface.

Birmingham Phoenix Women, on the other hand, have struggled of late. They have lost five of their six matches and have not found a consistent winning formula. Their batters, despite the presence of Ellyse Perry and Georgia Voll, have not been able to convert starts into big scores, and their bowling attack has lacked penetration in key moments.

Key Players to Watch

Manchester Originals Women

• Kathryn Bryce: A versatile all-rounder who has contributed both with the bat and ball. Her ability to anchor the innings and take crucial wickets makes her a key asset.
• Sophie Ecclestone: The spin queen of the tournament, Ecclestone has been instrumental in breaking partnerships and taking wickets in the middle overs.
• Lauren Filer: A leg-spinner with sharp turn and a knack for picking up wickets at crucial stages.

Birmingham Phoenix Women

• Ellyse Perry: One of the most dangerous batters in the tournament, Perry has the ability to change the course of a game in a matter of overs.
• Megan Schutt: A consistent wicket-taker, Schutt is expected to be the spearhead of the Phoenix bowling attack.
• Georgia Voll: A left-handed opener who has scored valuable runs in the opening overs, Voll is crucial to the Phoenix's batting setup.

Venue Insights

Old Trafford, Manchester has been a batting-friendly venue in recent editions, with an average first-innings score of 111.3 in 2025. However, the surface favors spin bowlers, and the team batting second has a better win percentage (53.8%). The ground's ability to assist spin could play a big role in the match outcome, especially in the middle and death overs.

Head-to-Head

In the last five encounters between these teams, Manchester Originals hold the advantage with 2 wins, while Birmingham Phoenix have 1 win, with 1 match being a washout. The 2023 meeting at Old Trafford saw the Originals win by 5 wickets with the last ball, an indication of their ability to perform under pressure.

Predicted Outcome (Pre-Play)

• Toss Winner: Birmingham Phoenix
• Match Winner: Manchester Originals
• Top Batter: Beth Mooney (Manchester Originals), Ellyse Perry (Birmingham Phoenix)
• Top Bowler: Sophie Ecclestone (Manchester Originals), Megan Schutt (Birmingham Phoenix)
• Most Sixes: Deandra Dottin (Manchester Originals), Ellyse Perry (Birmingham Phoenix)
• Player of the Match: Sophie Ecclestone (Manchester Originals)
• Team Scores Batting First: Manchester Originals 120+, Birmingham Phoenix 100+

Match Prediction

This match is expected to be a close contest, especially if the toss goes in favor of the chasing side. The key will be how the batters handle the spin-friendly conditions in the middle overs. With Sophie Ecclestone in top form and Kathryn Bryce providing balance with both bat and ball, Manchester Originals are strong favorites to win and keep their semi-final hopes alive. However, a well-constructed chase from Birmingham Phoenix, led by Ellyse Perry, could make for an exciting finish.

All eyes will be on the spin duel between Ecclestone and Schutt, and the ability of the openers to set the tone early on. With a win probability of 67% in favor of Manchester Originals, this match promises to be a thrilling encounter at Old Trafford.
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