Welsh Fire vs Southern Brave at Cardiff (Sophia Gardens) on 22 August (15h00)
TV pundits correctly predicted the fourteenth women’s match outcome of ‘The Hundred,’ before a single ball was bowled. POTM match-hero was England’s Sophia Dunkley who made top-score 49. Dunkley was fortunate when dropped at ‘square-leg’ on 12, but unfortunate not to make her ‘fifty.’ Dunkley later told reporters that she tried to ‘anchor:’ batting through the innings. When weather turned to drizzle, Georgia Adams (pictured) hit an unbeaten 25*not out. Adams bagged two wickets with consecutive balls, with expectation for a hat-trick and took a catch when Brave were bowling. Match was broadcast via SKY Sports YouTube channel – please see below – with Natalie Germanos (South Africa), Simon Doull(NZ), Dominic Cork, Darren Gough and Nasser Hussain (with pre-recorded coffee corner guest Alex Hartley) and Katie George on player’s microphone in the field. Also ESPN-cric-info and other social media. Weather at Sophia Gardens was overcast turning to heavy drizzle ‘mizzle,’ breeze, but without any rain stoppage.
Brave Innings
Anya Shrubsole No changes. *Smriti Mandhana (India) 13 from 9 balls, swept 3 ‘fours’ before caught at ‘mid-off’ by Nicola Carey (Australia.) *After 25 balls power play, Brave were 40/1. Fire’s Lauren Filer put down two chances firstly dropping Danni Wyatt 14*(9) at ’square-leg’ from ball 29. Filer needed physio, after Alex Hartley’s ball flipped-up from her ‘reverse-cupped hands’ and struck her face. *Secondly, Sophia Dunkley 12*(15) was dropped when diving forward, from Nic Carey. *Another six balls later Wyatt 16(12) was stumped by Sarah Bryce (Scotland,) coming down the wicket to Hannah Baker. *At mid-way, Brave were 60/2. Thereafter, the match was played through drizzle with ball towelling, but without any stoppage for rain. *Tahlia McGrath 7(11) was short-lived ‘on a tricky pitch,’ her off-stump skittled by fellow Australian Nic Carey. *Maia Bouchier 2(4) ‘struggled’ until caught at mid-wicket by Tammy Beaumont. *Commentators said that Brave’s skipper ‘wouldn’t be too happy’ about the finish when three more wickets fell. *Freya Kemp was caught by Australia’s Annabel Sutherland from WIndies Hayley Matthews 1(3). *Matthews final match for Fire before returning to WIndies (to play in StKitts & Nevis.) Australia’s Amanda-Jade-Wellington 1(1) was run-out by Katie George’s throw to Matthews at the bowler’s end. *Finally Anya Shrubsole was stumped by Sarah Bryce, coming down the wicket to Hayley Matthews, to collect her golden duck.
Fire Innings
Skipper Beaumont announced two changes: Australian Nic Carey exchanged for Rachael Haynes (unwell); and spinner Hannah Baker for Fi Morris. *England bowling hopeful Lauren Bell struck straight away when Tammy Beaumont 9(7) was caught at mid-wicket by Maia Bouchier. *After 25 balls power play, Fire were 25/1 (vs 40/1.) Georgia Adams caught Hayley Matthews 20(20) at slip, handing Amanda-Jade Wellington her eighth tournament wicket – highest tally so far. On 50/2, Fran Wilson 1(3) was short-lived, clean-bowled by Tahlia McGrath. *By mid-way, Fire were 51/3 (vs 60/2.) Amusingly, Simon Doull said that Nic Carey ‘played all around’ a slower Yorker, bowled by Lauren Bell for 2(4.) *Australian Annabel Sutherland was caught behind by keeper Carla Rudd from a thin edge, from Anya Shrubsole. *On 65/5, Nasser Hussain felt that Fire ‘weren’t going anywhere’ with 30 balls remaining. *Disaster struck when skipper Shrubsole and Adams and each bagged two wickets with consecutive balls, raising crowd expectation for hat-tricks. *Firstly from Anya Shrubsole, Katie George 14(7) went ‘leg before’ after scoring two boundaries. *Next ball, Lauren Filer was caught by Tahlia McGrath for a golden duck. *Secondly, from Georgia Adams, Claire Nicholas was stumped by keeper Carla Rudd. *Next ball, Hannah Baker went ‘leg before’ for a golden duck. *Finally Sarah Bryce 28(21) was run-out by Danni Wyatt’s throw to Anya Shrubsole at the bowler’s end, leaving Alex Hartley ’not out.’
Summary
POTM match hero Sophia Dunkley hit 49 before adverse weather arrived, following early departures by Brave’s openers. Thereafter, play continued on a ‘tricky pitch’ with a light drizzle and gentle breeze without any stoppage for rain. Batting further down the order, Georgia Adams (25*not out) saw the innings through to what turned out to be a defendable score. Commentators were sympathetic to Lauren Filer who put down two catches – ‘a day she would want to forget.’ Although Hayley Matthews second-wicket partnership with Annabel Sutherland added 31 runs, Fire’s innings will be remembered for wickets taken, rather than runs scored. Anya Shrubsole and Georgia Adams who both took two wickets with consecutive balls. Also, Australia’s Amanda-Jade Wellington, who bagged her eighth wicket from four matches, stays top of the bowler’s leader board. Brave’s fourth win sends them top-of-table with maximum points and with two more matches remaining at the group stage. Fire’s challenge for this year’s tournament is over.
Result: Southern Brave Women 122/8 beat Welsh Fire Women 108/10 by 14 runs with one ball remaining
Brave batting: 122/8; from 100 balls (1.22 runs-per-ball) Sophia Dunkley 49(43), Georgia Adams 25*(16), Danni Wyatt 16(12), Smriti Mandhana 13(9); Welsh Fire bowling: Hayley Matthews 2/26, Annabel Sutherland 1/8, Alex Hartley 1/12, Claire Nicholas 1/17, Nicola Carey 1/18, Hannah Baker 1/21; Fow 1-28, 2-50, 3-68, 4-71, 5-105, 6-121, 7-122, 8-122.
Fire batting: 108/10 (99/100 balls, 1.08 runs per-ball target 123 from 100 balls) Sarah Bryce 28(21), Annabel Sutherland 22(26), Hayley Matthews 20(20), Katie George 14(7); Brave bowling: Anya Shrubsole 3/20, Georgia Adams 2/12, Lauren Bell 2/17; Talhia McGrath 1/10, Amanda-Jade Wellington 1/21; Fow 1-13, 2-44, 3-50, 4-59, 5-67, 6-84, 7-84, 8-87, 9/87, 10/108.
Scorecard & Statistics at URL: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-hundred-women-s-competition-2022-1299144/welsh-fire-women-vs-southern-brave-women-14th-match-1299158/full-scorecard
Match highlights free-to-air from SKY Sports YouTube [07m54] at URL: https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/12679390/southern-brave-beat-welsh-fire-to-maintain-perfect-record
Match video free-to-air from SKY Sports YouTube [54m56/03h45m50s] at URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCB238zfcJM
