The short version
- Matt Short scored an unbeaten 60 off 41 balls to lead Welsh Fire to a six-wicket victory over Southern Brave in Cardiff.
- Southern Brave were restricted to 115-8, with Marcus Stoinis providing the only significant resistance by scoring 55 runs.
- The win moves Welsh Fire level on points with Trent Rockets at the summit of The Hundred men's competition table.
Welsh Fire secured their fourth victory in five matches during this season’s edition of The Hundred, defeating Southern Brave by six wickets at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. The result was driven by a composed and aggressive innings from Australian all-rounder Matt Short, who remained unbeaten on 60 runs after facing just 41 deliveries. His performance proved decisive as the home side chased down a target of 116 with five balls to spare, maintaining their strong position in the tournament standings.
Southern Brave faced immediate difficulties after being asked to bat first. Their opening partnership collapsed quickly when Jamie Smith and Ben McKinney were dismissed without scoring, setting a precarious tone for the innings. Despite these early setbacks, Marcus Stoinis anchored the batting effort with a rapid 55 runs from 39 balls. However, he was the sole batter to make a substantial contribution; no other player reached double figures, leaving the team vulnerable as wickets continued to fall around him.
The Fire bowling attack capitalized on the tricky surface conditions, with Sam Cook delivering a standout performance by claiming three wickets for just 14 runs. Stoinis eventually fell to Cook’s efforts, but damage had already been done. Nikhil Chaudhary contributed 18 runs and David Miller added 21 from 17 balls in a late surge, yet these efforts were insufficient to raise the total beyond 115-8. The low score provided Welsh Fire with a realistic target on a pitch that offered assistance to bowlers.
In response, Welsh Fire lost captain Phil Salt early in their chase but stabilized through a crucial 56-run partnership between Joe Root and Matt Short. This stand established a solid foundation before Chris Jordan dismissed Root for 17 and Rachin Ravindra departed without scoring. Although Jordan Cox fell shortly after, leaving the team needing more than a run per ball to win, Short maintained his composure. He combined with Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who finished unbeaten on 23, to guide the team past the target comfortably.
The victory places Welsh Fire level on 16 points with Trent Rockets at the top of The Hundred table. Southern Brave remain in fourth place with two wins from six matches played. Meanwhile, other fixtures continue across the competition, including a clash between Sunrisers Leeds and London Spirit at Headingley, where both teams seek their second win of the season. Coverage of these ongoing matches remains available through various broadcast platforms.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗Superb Short half-century guides Fire past Brave
