Spirit hold their nerve at the death

London Spirit secured a six-run victory over Welsh Fire in Cardiff after David Willey, Adam Milne and Jamie Overton combined to defend 27 runs from the final 20 balls. The result ended Welsh Fire’s Men’s Hundred 2026 campaign in fifth place, while Spirit finished second last after recording their third win of the season.

Bairstow provides the platform

Sent in to bat, Spirit posted 131 for 8, with Jonny Bairstow supplying the innings’ main burst of momentum. His 19-ball 34 included sixes off Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson and Chris Woakes. Lhuan-dre Pretorius managed only six, while Liam Livingstone and Bairstow fell as Welsh Fire kept taking wickets at regular intervals.

Jamie Overton briefly shifted the pressure with three boundaries and a six in seven deliveries, but Woakes and Jansen controlled the closing stages. Woakes finished with two for 18 and Jansen took two for 16.

Fire fall short despite Cox and Root

Welsh Fire’s chase began slowly after Matthew Short was bowled in the opening set, with only 17 runs coming from the first 17 balls. Phil Salt and Joe Root tried to rebuild through boundaries, but the dot-ball pressure mounted.

Jordan Cox gave Fire hope with a 28-ball 44, while Root made 31. However, Spirit removed Cox, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Rachin Ravindra in quick succession during the closing phase. Willey finished with three for 20 and Milne took two for 23, leaving Fire needing seven from the final ball. Jansen was caught at deep midwicket as the chase ended on 125 for 7.

Brief scores: London Spirit 131/8 beat Welsh Fire 125/7 by six runs.