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SunRisers Leeds aiming to boost Hundred Eliminator hopes at Birmingham Phoenix SunRisers Leeds’ decision to reshuffle the top of their women’s team batting line-up paid immediate dividends in The Hundred run-chase win over London Spirit. Chasing 137 to win at Headingley against the capital franchise, coach Adi Birrell’s side promoted Phoebe Litchfield as Bryony Smith’s new opening partner. Yorkshire’s Lauren Winfield-Hill, who usually spearheads the middle order, was promoted to No 3 – a clear statement of intent from SunRisers that the defending champions meant business. Speaking ahead of ahead of Leeds’ away game against Birmingham Phoenix this afternoon (3.00), Annabel Sutherland told The Yorkshire Post: “Bryony and Phoebe were exceptional. “We’ve been a little bit behind in the powerplays in the last few games. It’s pretty hard to win games in cricket when you’re behind in that phase.” Before Sutherland (37 not out) took over with her match-winning knock, opener Litchfield blazed 30 from only 17 deliveries, setting the platform for a successful run chase. “Phoebe took the game on, put bowlers under pressure, which is exactly what she does,” added Sutherland. “She is so hard to bowl to.” The visitors will seek to deliver a similar performance today in a bid to keep their slim Eliminator hopes alive. Both the defending champions and the men’s team are currently fifth in their respective tables in The Hundred. Zak Crawley’s men will also aim to extend their winning run against Birmingham (6.30) after smashing the highest-ever total in The Hundred’s history last time out. Ryan Rickelton powered Leeds to a match-winning 241-2 with his unbeaten knock of 94 off 42 balls. He said: “If you get five wins out of eight, you should be there in the Eliminator. “So, if you look after your home games, pick up one or two wins away from home – it is big for momentum and equally big for the team.”