As the excitement of The Hundred returns, the Birmingham Phoenix Women’s team are gearing up for a thrilling season packed with firepower, flair, and fierce competition. With a squad that blends international icons and rising English stars, the Phoenix promise to be one of the most watched sides in this year’s tournament. Leading the charge are four standout players, each bringing a unique set of skills, achievements, and match-winning potential to the team. From seasoned champions like Ellyse Perry and Amy Jones to emerging game-changers like Emma Lamb and Emily Arlott, these athletes are poised to light up the competition and define Phoenix’s campaign. Here’s a closer look at the key players to watch this season.
Ellyse Perry
One of the most iconic and celebrated all-rounders in the history of women’s cricket, Ellyse Perry has continued to redefine longevity, versatility, and excellence. Appointed captain of Birmingham Phoenix for the 2024 season, Perry brought not just global stardom but also tactical sharpness and composure under pressure—qualities that made her an instant heartbeat of the side. Having made her debut in The Hundred in 2022, Perry wasted no time in showcasing her pedigree, compiling 134 runs in six matches, including a sublime 58 off 31 balls that earned her a Player of the Match accolade.
In 2024, Perry raised the bar again, delivering an even more complete campaign with both bat and ball. She scored 203 runs, including a breathtaking 66 off 34 deliveries, and picked up 8 wickets, with best figures of 3/21. Her dominant July performance saw her deservingly crowned Player of the Month, with 131 runs at an impressive average of 43.6, featuring standout knocks of 65 (48) and 66 (34) in high-pressure situations that anchored Phoenix’s middle order.
Perry’s sharp form wasn’t just limited to The Hundred. Representing Hampshire in the Vitality Blast Women this season, she made key contributions with the ball, collecting 7 wickets from 6 innings, once again highlighting her adaptability across formats and conditions.
With over 6,000 international runs and more than 300 wickets across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, Ellyse Perry remains the gold standard of the modern all-rounder. As Birmingham Phoenix aim to push further in 2025, Perry’s blend of experience, form, and hunger for success makes her not just a star attraction but a genuine match-winner every time she takes the field.
Amy Jones
Amy Jones, the seasoned England wicketkeeper-batter, continues to be a central pillar of the Birmingham Phoenix setup. As the franchise’s first-ever draft pick in the inaugural edition of The Hundred, Jones has brought a perfect blend of attacking flair and calm reliability, both behind the stumps and at the crease. Her value to the side lies not just in the numbers but in her ability to steer tricky chases and build momentum under pressure.
Between 2021 and 2024, Jones has amassed 563 runs in The Hundred at an impressive strike rate of 135, with a personal best of 51, showcasing her signature punchy stroke play and acceleration in the middle overs. A safe pair of hands behind the stumps, she’s consistently delivered with her glove work, effecting crucial dismissals and bringing composure to the fielding unit.
Her international career has flourished since stepping into the big shoes of Sarah Taylor in 2019, now crossing 4,200 international runs across formats—a testament to her longevity and growing stature in the England white-ball setup. Jones’s recent form has been sharp and timely. In England’s ODI series against India, she played a match-defining unbeaten knock of 46* at Lord’s, guiding her side with calm and precision. That innings reaffirmed her value as a game-finisher.
With a cool head, sharp instincts, and years of top-level experience, Amy Jones enters the 2025 season of The Hundred as a vital cog in Birmingham Phoenix’s campaign—a seasoned player whose presence strengthens both the team’s backbone and belief.
Emma Lamb
A fresh face in Birmingham Phoenix colours for the 2025 season, Emma Lamb brings with her a solid blend of youth, experience, and versatility. Previously part of the Manchester Originals in The Hundred, Lamb has already shown her capability in the format, scoring 383 runs including a highest of 57, and now looks to translate that form into match-winning performances for her new team.
As a batting all-rounder, she offers not just top-order consistency but also handy overs of off-spin—a dual threat that strengthens Phoenix’s balance. A product of the Lancashire youth system, Lamb burst onto the scene after averaging over 100 in her final U17 season, underlining her talent from an early age. She made her senior County Championship debut in 2012 and announced herself the following year with a brilliant 113 while carrying her bat, leading Lancashire to a commanding victory over Durham.
Over time, Lamb has evolved into a dependable opening batter, known for her ability to anchor innings while accelerating when required—a trait that earned her selection in England’s senior squad. In terms of recent form, Lamb has had a highly productive domestic season. In the 2025 Vitality Women’s Blast, she amassed 336 runs from just 8 innings, including a highest score of 74, consistently setting the tone at the top of the order and reaffirming her credentials as one of the most in-form openers on the circuit. Her confident stroke play, maturity, and ability to adapt to different match situations have made her a valuable asset for any side.
Emily Arlott
A consistent performer for Birmingham Phoenix since the inaugural season of The Hundred, Emily Arlott has steadily established herself as one of the most reliable and intelligent seamers in the domestic circuit. A right-arm medium pacer renowned for her control, bounce, and ability to strike at key moments, Arlott has picked up 33 wickets in the tournament so far, with her best figures of 3/15 coming in the 2023 season.
Often tasked with stemming the flow of runs and building pressure in the middle overs, she is a bowler who thrives on subtlety and precision. Arlott’s rise through the ranks is a story of quiet determination. A product of Worcestershire, she first caught national attention in 2021 with a blistering four-wicket spell in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, which propelled her into the England radar. Since then, she has transitioned into the international setup, already bagging 15 wickets in England colours and showing glimpses of a dependable long-term pace option for the national side.
Her recent form has been particularly encouraging. In the 2025 Vitality Women’s Blast, Arlott was a standout performer with the ball, taking 8 wickets in just 4 innings for her team Warwickshire, including a best spell of 3/33. Her consistency, ability to read batters, and control at the death have made her a vital pick—and now, her attributes are what Birmingham Phoenix will bank on heavily this season.
