Sunrisers knock out three sides with clinical win over Birmingham Phoenix

A masterclass from Phoebe Litchfield, including the fastest fifty in the history of the Hundred women's competition, headlined Sunrisers Leeds' straightforward chase of Birmingham Phoenix's underwhelming 107 for 9 to see her side to victory in Birmingham and keep them alive in the competition.

The result eliminated not only the home team but also London Spirit and MI London on a blameless pitch in bright Edgbaston.

After 11 games without a wicket in the Hundred, Kate Cross picked up two of Phoenix's quick losses, demonstrating all of their batting flaws.

Ellyse Perry was left to right the ship, as she has done so frequently this season. She made a 22-ball 31 before being caught by Litchfield off Jess Jonassen, the two Australians combining the ball after another Australian, Annabel Sutherland, dropped her at long-on.

After that only Emma Lamb made an impression, making her second 40-plus score in just her second match of the season, the frailties of the batting line-up shown by the fact she is now the team's second-highest run-getter.

It is something of a mystery why the Phoenix top order of Davina Perrin, Tammy Beaumont and Alice Capsey have not fired but here it was largely about the excellence of Sunrisers' embarrassment of bowling riches, the economy rates of Deepti Sharma, Sutherland, Jonassen and Cross all excellent. The innings dribbled to a close with just 18 runs and five wickets coming from the last 20 balls.

Litchfield put the score into perspective with shots all around the wicket, sweeping, ramping, switch-hitting and driving over extra cover in sumptuous style, the pick of her shots perhaps a straight six off her compatriot Perry.

After Bryony Smith was dismissed, Lauren Winfield-Hill played a good supporting role as Litchfield wowed the crowd with a dazzling display, the game ending with her on 71 not out off 33 balls, and 31 balls unused.

"You die by the sword at times, but I think putting the pressure back on the bowlers is the way to go in T20 or Hundred cricket," Litchfield, the Meerkat Match Hero, stated. Momentum in cricket is an amazing thing."