Welsh Fire Cruise to Commanding Win Over Southern Brave
Welsh Fire 106 for 1 (Beaumont 59, Matthews 35) beat Southern Brave 103 (Tryon 55, Matthews 4-14, Jonassen 3-21) by nine wickets**
The Utilita Bowl, August 14, 2024
In a dominant display, Welsh Fire cruised to a nine-wicket victory over bottom-placed Southern Brave in The Hundred competition. The result ensures Welsh Fire’s place in the top three and progression to the knockout stage.
Hayley Matthews continued her remarkable all-round form, opening the bowling with figures of 4 for 14 with her offspin. She then scored an unbeaten 35 to complement Tammy Beaumont’s unbeaten 59 off 40 balls, as the visitors chased down the target of 104 with 26 balls to spare.
After put in to bat first, Southern Brave struggled from the outset. Matthews dismissed the dangerous Danni Wyatt, before Smriti Mandhana departed soon after to Shabnim Ismail’s pace. Jess Jonassen and Matthews continued to make regular inroads, leaving the Brave reeling at 47 for 7.
“We’ve been really good as a team,” said player of the match Hayley Matthews. “Our bowlers have done a great job in restricting the opposition, and our batters have chipped in when required. It’s been a complete team performance, and that’s why we’ve been able to perform so well.”
Chloe Tryon’s counter-attacking 55 off 38 balls provided some resistance, but the Brave were ultimately bowled out for 103. In response, Beaumont and Matthews put on an unbeaten 72-run partnership to guide Welsh Fire to a comfortable victory, keeping them in pole position to finish top of the group.
The victory puts Welsh Fire in a strong position to secure automatic qualification for the Hundred Final at Lord’s, with their superior net run rate. Oval Invincibles will need a convincing win over Trent Rockets on Wednesday to have any chance of leapfrogging the leaders.
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