Manchester Originals secured a five-wicket win over Birmingham Phoenix on Monday (August 7) with Fi Morris recording the best ‘The Hundred’ figures of 5-7, a record across the women’s and men’s competitions.
Sophie Ecclestone also played a key role, snaring four-wicket haul while conceding just 11 runs to bowl out Birmingham Phoenix for 87 runs in 96 deliveries at Old Trafford.
The Originals faced a nerve-wracking chase, collapsing to 85-5 from 69-1. However, Kathryn Bryce’s timely boundary on the penultimate delivery ensured victory for Manchester Women.
Coming back to Fi Morris’ bowling masterclass, the off-spinner only came into the innings after 55 balls when Phoenix were reduced to 57-3, courtesy Sophie Ecclestone.
Morris started with a bang, getting Amy Jones out lbw with her opening delivery when she misjudged a sweep shot. Her remaining five balls included three dots and a single to Jess Flintoff, who later fell to Amanda Jade Wellington.
After returning in the 76th over, Morris continued her bowling brilliance, dismissing Abbie Freeborn with a plumb lbw, hitting her on the back pad, leaving Phoenix struggling at 75-7 with only 22 balls left in their innings.
Morris maintained her momentum, claiming the wickets of Issy Wong and Hannah Baker in her next set. She concluded the innings with a clean bowled delivery to Charis Pavely. Phoenix were eventually all-out for 87, with only four balls left in their innings.
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Morris is the first bowler in the women’s competition to take a five-wicket haul, surpassing Marizanne Kapp’s previous record of 4-9 in the 2021 edition. In the men’s league, Josh Little holds the record with his exceptional 5-13 from the previous year.
