Women's CricketEllyse Perry Explains What Makes Smriti Mandhana So Successful
Ellyse Perry praises Smriti Mandhana’s skill, mental strength and love of challenges, after both starred for rival teams in The Hundred 2026.
Birmingham Phoenix Women come into this game after a 32-run defeat to London Spirit Women, their third loss in a row. They bowled well enough to hold Spirit to 140, with Alana King taking two wickets, but Davina Perrin (25) and Emma Lamb (36) could not build momentum in the chase.
Perrin and Tammy Beaumont have added 171 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 98.30, which suggests a faster start is needed. Alice Capsey has 77 runs at a strike rate of 128, and Ellyse Perry leads the team with 161 runs at 130. Lamb has made 45, 47 and 36 in her last three innings, at a strike rate of 136.17. The attack has taken only 16 wickets in six games, with Capsey on five and King on four.
MI London Women also arrive after defeat, losing by nine wickets to Trent Rockets Women after making 121. Kira Chathli top-scored with 31 from 27 balls. Amelia Kerr leads their batting with 173 runs at a strike rate of 136.22 and has taken five wickets, while Chinelle Henry has 136 runs at 143.15. Hayley Matthews has 105 runs and leads the bowling with ten wickets, with Kirstie Gordon and Kerr on five each.
With both teams hunting a turnaround, the contest could turn on Phoenix’s top order against MI London’s all-rounders. We narrowly back MI London.
Edgbaston is generally a balanced surface. Seamers can find early swing and movement, especially under cloud, and the true bounce lets set batters play shots. The pitch eases for batting as the game goes on, but slower balls and spinners who vary their pace remain useful in the middle overs.
Wednesday 12 August is expected to be very warm and mostly sunny, around 32°C at the 3:00 pm local start. Rain is very unlikely, a light to moderate breeze may offer some relief, and dew should not be a factor in the afternoon.
Our preview picks MI London Women, who have more all-round strength through Amelia Kerr and Hayley Matthews.
They have lost three in a row, have taken only 16 wickets in six matches, and their openers need a faster start.
Around 140 or more should give the side batting first a competitive score.
Women's CricketEllyse Perry praises Smriti Mandhana’s skill, mental strength and love of challenges, after both starred for rival teams in The Hundred 2026.