Sunrisers Leeds 111 for 1 (Litchfield 71*, Winfield-Hill 26*) beat Birmingham Phoenix 107 for 9 (Lamb 47, Deepti 3-11) by nine wickets

At a sunlit Edgbaston on a blameless pitch, the result eliminated not just the home side but London Spirit and MI London as well.

All of Phoenix’s batting frailties were in evidence as they once again lost several quick wickets, Kate Cross taking two of them after 11 wicketless matches in the Hundred.

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.

Litchfield, the Meerkat Match Hero, said: “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. Momentum in cricket is an amazing thing.”