Oval Invincibles secured a commanding 45-run victory against Birmingham Phoenix in the opening match of the fourth season of The Hundred, thanks to a brilliant 71 from Paige Scholfield.
Playing in front of 10,249 spectators, the two-time champions Oval Invincibles batted first. Scholfield, stepping into a new role as an opener due to the absence of Sri Lanka's captain Chamari Athapaththu, formed a strong partnership with England's young star Alice Capsey, who scored 52 runs. Together, they added 90 runs for the second wicket, hitting 17 boundaries, and seemed on course for a record total before a late series of wickets slowed their momentum.
Despite this, a total of 150 proved to be more than enough for the Invincibles. Birmingham Phoenix stumbled early in their chase, losing three wickets for just 32 runs, which left them with a steep uphill battle.
New Zealand's captain Sophie Devine and Birmingham's Amy Jones offered some resistance, but the Phoenix ultimately struggled against the Invincibles' bowling attack. Australian leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington was particularly effective, taking three wickets for just nine runs, leading the home team to a decisive win.
Reflecting on her performance, Meerkat Match Hero Paige Scholfield expressed her excitement and nerves about opening for the first time but credited her teammate Lauren Winfield-Hill for helping her settle in. She noted the unique bounce of the pitch and her approach to trusting her shots. Scholfield humorously added that she is willing to return to her usual batting position once Athapaththu returns, as she is ready to follow the direction of head coach Jon Batty.