The Analysis: Manchester Originals win to retain interest in knockout phase

Seemingly impenetrable for the tournament's first fortnight, Phoenix suddenly have work to do, even if their destiny remains in their hands

It's not how you start in a tournament like this, but how you perform at the business end. And after impressing through the early stages of The Hundred, with a high-class top order centred around two of the finest allrounders of their generation, Birmingham Phoenix are beginning to falter.

Three straight wins were broken with a comprehensive defeat by Oval Invincibles, during which they were stifled when batting first and limped to just 106 for 7. Five days on, in their next fixture, the same cracks were opened.

They ought to have made light work of a middling total – Manchester Originals limped to just 122 for 6 – but were five wickets down inside seven sets, with none of Eve Jones, Sophie Devine, Amy Jones, Ellyse Perry nor Sophie Molineux reaching double figures.

It was only a 46-run stand between Georgia Elwiss and Issy Wong that drew Phoenix close, before the decision by Originals to return to Erin Burns almost backfired. The Australian, bowling off-spin to the short side at Edgbaston, was hoicked for six by Emily Arlott, only for Kate Cross' gamble to pay off when Georgia Elwiss holed out to Sophie Ecclestone at deep midwicket.

In a sense, it's a surprise that a stifling job like this hasn't happened earlier in the competition from Originals, given the tools at their disposal.

^{Sophie Ecclestone was typically excellent for Manchester (Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)}

Ecclestone is the leading spinner in the women's game, while Cross has become a senior seamer for England and is an astute captain. Phoebe Graham was drafted in for her first game of the tournament and got through three sets unscathed, while Hannah Jones would be a handy lead spinner were Ecclestone not available.

This was Manchester's first outing shorn of Deandra Dottin, now with Trinbago Knight Riders in the 6ixty, having hammered two half centuries in four matches along with her seamers, which contributed four wickets.

Emma Lamb, who had bowled 12 sets in Manchester's previous four games, wasn't required on Sunday, instead solely used as an opening batter, noticeably more proactive at the crease in a first-wicket partnership worth 53 runs that looked increasingly out of place as the game wore on.

She top-scored for Originals, who slowed up thereafter and were indebted – typically – to Ecclestone, an allrounder in the making, whose ball-striking appears to improve with every passing competition. There was a single six in her 14-ball cameo that dragged her team to a score that was ultimately defended comfortably.

It was a popular result too, given what it does to the league table. Four teams are now separated by a single win, with Phoenix's path through to the knockout stages still dependent on how they finish. London Spirit and Welsh Fire are both out, but for the rest there are still routes into the top three.

^{Birmingham Phoenix still need a win to secure their knockout spot (Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)}

Twice in a row now, their previously infallible top order has found itself in trouble; against Oval, Eve and Amy Jones chewed up deliveries without pushing on, with driving the pace immediately not Perry's strong suit.

This time, Cross accounted for both openers and then watched as Jones, Graham and Ecclestone snared the remainder of the top five, taking off her trump card in response to ensure Ecclestone had balls left at the end.

She returned, with the game not quite won, to dismiss Phoebe Franklin and Kirstie Gordon in successive deliveries to put the icing to a performance that hasn't necessarily been coming but felt as though it ought to be.

Seemingly impenetrable for the tournament's first fortnight, Phoenix suddenly have work to do, even if their destiny remains in their hands.

Related Topics

• Manchester Originals produce disciplined bowling display to see off Birmingham Phoenix