In a thrilling match at the Utilita Bowl, Captain Tammy Beaumont’s unbeaten half-century led Welsh Fire to a resounding nine-wicket victory over Southern Brave. The win not only secured a top-three spot for Welsh Fire but also ensured their progression to The Hundred’s knockout stage.
Hayley Matthews, the Barbadian all-rounder, was the star of the show with a phenomenal performance. Opening the bowling, she picked up four wickets for just 14 runs with her offbreaks. Her bowling display was followed by an unbeaten 35 runs with the bat, complementing Beaumont’s impressive knock of 59 not out off 40 balls. Together, they guided Welsh Fire to victory with 26 balls to spare.
The result puts Welsh Fire in a strong position to finish in the top spot and qualify directly for the Hundred Final at Lord’s on Sunday. However, Oval Invincibles have a chance to leapfrog them with a convincing win over Trent Rockets on Wednesday afternoon.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Matthews commented, “I think we’ve been really good. When you look at our line-up, we’ve got a lot of experience, and we’ve played on that really well. The bowlers have done a really good job at making sure we don’t have to chase too big of a total. I think it’s been a complete team performance and that’s where we’ve performed really well, everyone’s been chipping in and playing their role.”
In the match, after Beaumont put Southern Brave in to bat, Matthews made early inroads by dismissing Danni Wyatt and Smriti Mandhana. The Brave found themselves struggling at 15 for 2 at the end of the powerplay. Jess Jonassen then piled on the misery by having Georgia Adams stumped, followed by Maia Bouchier’s dismissal, courtesy of Matthews.
The wickets continued to tumble for the Brave as Freya Kemp, Naomi Dattani, and Kalea Moore fell cheaply. However, Chloe Tryon staged a valiant fightback with a quickfire 55 off 38 deliveries. She found an able partner in Rhianna Southby, and together they added crucial runs to the total.
Despite Tryon’s efforts, the Brave were bowled out for 103. Welsh Fire chased down the target comfortably, thanks to Beaumont and Matthews’ stellar partnership, securing a comprehensive victory.
Welsh Fire’s performance in this match showcased their dominance in The Hundred competition. With a strong all-round display, they have firmly established themselves as contenders for the title. The team will now look to carry this momentum forward into the knockout stage and aim for glory in the upcoming final.
