Southern Brave Defeat Welsh Fire in Thrilling Last-Ball Finish

The Men's Hundred league phase concluded with an electrifying match as Southern Brave narrowly defeated Welsh Fire by 4 runs in a last-ball thriller. This victory relegated Welsh Fire to the bottom of the standings, while Southern Brave moved up to the fourth position in the table.

Brave's Batting Prowess

Opting to bowl first, Welsh Fire made a strong start, reducing Southern Brave to single-digit scores for three of their top-four batters. However, Jason Roy showcased his class, smashing consecutive sixes to notch his first fifty of the season. Despite a collapse that left Brave at 129 for 7, late contributions from Craig Overton and Jordan Thompson propelled them to a competitive total of 167 for 7.

Welsh Fire's Valiant Chase

In response, Welsh Fire stumbled early, losing their top order within the first three sets. Craig Overton was the destroyer-in-chief, removing Stephen Eskinazi, Steven Smith, and Jonny Bairstow in quick succession. Tom Abell held his ground, but it was the partnership between Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Ben Kellaway that reignited Welsh Fire's hopes. Kohler-Cadmore was particularly aggressive, launching boundaries off James Coles. With 36 runs needed off 21 balls, the match hung in the balance, but the partnership was broken, and Tymal Mills and Jordan Thompson's disciplined death bowling secured the win for Brave. Kohler-Cadmore fell on the penultimate ball, needing a six to win, leaving Thompson to defend a single off the final delivery.

Match Summary

Southern Brave: 167/7 in 100 balls (Jason Roy 70, David Payne 2/17)
Welsh Fire: 163/6 in 100 balls (Tom Kohler-Cadmore 84, Craig Overton 3/22)

The match will be remembered for its high-octane finish and Southern Brave's resilience under pressure.