Dress rehearsal between both teams, already qualified to play the Eliminator. ‘Brave’ were said to have qualified for the final with a game-in-hand. Later corrected by commentators as ‘automatic qualification’ to play the final, unless Brave’s lost their final group-stage match to ‘Originals’ with total below 112 runs: proving highly unlikely. Marie Kelly [69runs*not out (from 46 balls)] was lauded as ‘quite brilliant;’ played ‘really well’ and made ‘top-score’ for ‘Superchargers’ by a wide margin, partnered by in-form batter Phoebe Litchfield. No other batter scored ‘fifty.’ Undoubtedly, the POTM Meerkat Match Hero was  awarded to Marie Kelly who ‘carried-her-bat,’ undefeated, made her maiden half-century and also took two catches to round-off her ‘fantastic game.’ Introduced for SKY Sports by Lydia Greenway with Mark Butcher & Robert Croft MBE (all ex-England); plus NZ TV personality (& ex NZ player) Simon Doull. Match highlights courtesy of SKY Sports and ‘The Hundred’ (please see below.)

NSC-W *Skipper Hollie Armitage. [*Sarah Bryce keeping wicket for ‘Fire’] *International players Phoebe Litchfield & Georgia Wareham (Australia), Jemimah Rodrigues (India); with England’s Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards & Bess Heath; England ‘A’s Hollie Armitage, & Leah Dobson (for Linsey Smith) * U19’s Grace Ballinger. *Bowling the 2nd over, spinner Alex Hartley was struck by Jemimah Rodrigues for 3 ‘fours,’ proving expensive. *After 25 balls ‘Power-play,’ ‘Superchargers’ were 38/0. *After 25 balls  ‘Superchargers’ were 38/0. *Beyond the ‘Power-play,’ Jemimah Rodrigues 14(15) was caught-and-bowled low-down by Sophia Dunkley’s 2nd ball (1/14) *Partnered by Marie Kelly, ‘in-form’ batter Phoebe Litchfield struck ’six’ two balls before mid-way 67/1. *Main 64-run partnership ended when Phoebe Litchfield 40(26) was caught-and-bowled by Claire Nicholas (1/20); said to be ‘a big moment.’ *Commentator’s curse struck 2 balls later when Bess Heath 0(2) ‘who was called-up for England,’ saw her ‘off-stump’ knocked-back, beaten ‘beneath-her-bat’ by Alex Hartley (1/23) for a ‘2nd-ball duck.’ *Skipper Hollie Armitage 4(5) missed a sweep and went ‘plumb leg before’ ‘middle-stump’ to Freya Davies (1/32); without need for review. *Finally, Marie Kelly scored 10 runs from Freya Davies’ last 3 balls. *Best ’Superchargers’’ batter was Marie Kelly 69*not out (46): who carried-her-bat,’ undefeated. *Best Fire bowler was Kate Cross 2/19.

WF-W *Skipper Tammy Beaumont [*’Fire’ keeper Bess Heath ] *Internationals Shabnim Ismail (ex Rep. South Africa), Laura Harris (Australia Women’s Big Bash League), and Hayley Matthews. *England’s Tammy Beaumont, Sophia Dunkley & Freya Davies; with Alex Hartley (ex England) & Scotland’s Sarah Bryce. *Skipper Tammy Beaumont was caught at ‘long-on’ by Kate Cross, for a third-ball ‘duck’; from Lucy Higham (1/5); *5 ‘dot’ balls later, Hayley Matthews was caught at ‘mid-on’ by Phoebe Litchfield, for a fifth-ball ‘duck’; from Kate Cross *Sarah Bryce 4(9) was caught at ‘deep-square’ by Georgia Wareham from Grace Ballinger 2/28 *After 25 balls ‘Power-play,’ ‘Fire’ were 18/3 (vs 38/0); needing 127 runs from 75 balls remaining.*Laura Harris partnered by Sophia Dunkley added 62 runs for ‘Fire’s 4th wicket having made level-pegging by mid-way: 69/3 (vs 67/1.) *Having previously been ‘out’ for a string of low scores, commentator’s curse struck when Laura Harris demonstrated ‘what she can do’ beyond her first 5 balls.’ *5 balls later, Laura Harris 37(20), was bowled ‘in the block-hole’ by Kate Cross’ yorker. *Commentator’s curse struck once again, as soon as Sophia Dunkley ‘got Fire back into contention, after hitting Alice Davidson-Richards for ’six.’ *Next ball, Sophia Dunkley 29(22), was caught ‘low-down’ at ‘fine-leg’ by Marie Kelly, who was having a ‘fantastic game.’ *Skipper Hollie Armitage took herself off, after bowling 2 full-tosses above waist-height, Lucy Higham giving little away from the ‘free hit’ and 3 remaining balls. *Freya Davies 8(14) was caught at ‘backward-square’ by Marie Kelly, from Alice Davidson-Richards *Poised to take a ‘hat-trick’ when she bowls her next ball, Grace Ballinger took 2 wickets with consecutive balls. *Firstly Georgia Elwiss  13(14) was caught at ‘mid-on’ by Phoebe Litchfield from Grace Ballinger 2/28 *Next ball, Alex Griffiths 8(5) was ‘run out’ via Bess Heath’s fumble facilitating an over-throw, egged-on by Shabnim Ismail. *Recovering the ball, Bess Heath provided entertainment by throwing-down the wicket at the non-striker’s end; finding Alex Griffiths short-of-her-ground. *Finally, Shabnim Ismail 8*not out (9) launched Alice Davidson-Richards for ‘four,’ to reduce the deficit from the final match ball. *Claire Nicholas 3*not out (3);

Match summary: ‘Superchargers’ won the Eliminator’s dress rehearsal ‘quite comfortably’ by keeping their opposition’s total score ‘down to 128.’ Commentators sounded critical that ‘Fire’ were ‘let down’ by their top-order batters who ‘failed to fire;’ and ‘never recovered,’ when continued to lose wickets. POTM Meerkat Match Hero cap-and-medal was presented by Simon Doull to Marie Kelly, for her maiden match’-winning fifty; also for taking two catches at ‘deep-and-backward square.’ ’Marie Kelly whose previous tournament-best score was 39, explained that she exploited good ‘pace and bounce’ in the (pitch) surface; and was pleased to get ’Superchargers’ off to a ‘good start.’ Both teams come head-to-head once again, to play in the tournament’s Eliminator to decide which team plays in the final. ‘Superchargers” Grace Ballinger will be poised to complete a ‘hat-trick,’ from her very next ball. With one undecided match to be played at the ‘group stage,’ the three teams moving forward are ‘Brave,’ ‘Superchargers’ and ‘Fire.’ Teams already knocked-out with no more matches to play (at time of writing) include ‘Rockets,’ Invincibles’ and ‘Originals.’

Match result: Northern Superchargers Women 144/4 beat Welsh Fire Women by 128/8 by 16 runs

*’Superchargers’’ batting: 144/4 (from 100 balls @1.4 runs-per-ball); Marie Kelly 69*not out(46), Phoebe Litchfield 40(26), Jemimah Rodrigues 14(15); *‘Fire’s’ bowling: Sophia Dunkley 1/14, Claire Nicholas 1/20, Alex Hartley 1/23, Freya Davies 1/32; Fow 1-44, 2-108, 3-108, 4-122.

*’Fire’s’ batting: 128/8 (from 100 balls @1.2 runs-per-ball); Laura Harris 37(20), Sophia Dunkley 29(22), Georgia Elwiss  13(14); *’Superchargers’ bowling:  Kate Cross 2/19, Grace Ballinger 2/28, Alice Davidson-Richards 2/29, Lucy Higham 1/5; Fow 1-0, 2-0, 3-14, 4-76, 5-84, 6-106, 7-115, 8-115.

*Scorecard courtesy of BBC Sport @URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKE1000746

*Match highlights courtesy of Sky Sports @URL https://www.thehundred.com/teams/northern-superchargers/video/3646820/northern-superchargers-vs-welsh-fire-women-s-highlights-2023

Before the match, ‘Fire’ were said to have gathered ‘team momentum’ with ‘one-foot-in-the-door’ and ‘needed and wanted’ to qualify for the next stage of the tournament. ‘Fire’ attained this year’s 3rd highest Women’s score-to-date (2023) to win the match by a comfortable margin. ‘Fire’ have knocked-out ‘Rockets,’ and leapfroged ‘Superchargers’ into second place. Only three top teams: (‘Brave,’ ‘Superchargers’ & Fire’) ‘qualify for the next stage. Welsh commentator Robert Croft said that ‘big players’ had played ‘big innings’ and was convinced there was just ‘one more step to go’ before ‘Welsh Fire’ lifted the tournament’s trophy. Key to ‘Fire’s’ success was POTM Meerkat Match Hero Sophia Dunkley [68 runs from 48 balls] who top-scored with ‘fifty’ from her bat. Sophia Dunkley also took 2 wickets with the ball (2/15.) Introduced by Mark Butcher, Eoin Morgan & Robert Croft MBE (former England players); & Natalie Germanos (Rep. South Africa); with guest player Steven Finn. Match highlights courtesy of Sky Sports (please see below.) Weather at Cardiff was overcast, with grey clouds and a detectable cross-breeze

WF-W skipper Tammy Beaumont [*Spirit keeper ‘Richa Ghosh’] *Internationals Shabnim Ismail (announced as ‘former’ Rep. South Africa & just retired from playing International cricket), Laura Harris (Australia Women’s Big Bash League), and Hayley Matthews (2nd game.) *England’s Tammy Beaumont, Sophia Dunkley & Freya Davies; with Alex Hartley (ex England) & Scotland’s Sarah Bryce. *Play started around 15h00, following early morning drizzle, without any overs lost. *At mid-way after 50 balls, ‘Fire’ were 75/0. *Tammy Beaumont 40(28) was clean-bowled by Sophie Munro’s Yorker, said to be a ’slower ball.’ *Next ball, Laura Harris 0(1) ‘who was yet to make any impact’ went for a ‘golden-duck’ upon review; snicked to keeper Richa Ghosh from Sophie Munro (2/24) *Drinks were taken after 75 balls, ‘Fire’ 118/2. *Scoring her second competition fifty’ this season, Sophia Dunkley 68(48) was caught by Lauren Filer from Amelia Kerr (1/27.)*Recovering from a shoulder injury, Hayley Matthews 36(23) who ‘added quality,’ was ’very good on the off-side;’ but was ‘run-out’ from the last ball. *Sarah Bryce who struck her first ball for ’six was 7*not out(2.) *’Fire’s’ best batter was Sophia Dunkley 68(48) *’Spirit’s’ best bowler was Sophie Munro (2/24.)

LS-W Skipper Heather Knight. *[Sarah Bryce keeping wicket for ‘Fire’] *International players Richa Ghosh (India), Grace Harris (Australia WBBL) Amelia Kerr (NZ); plus Tara Norris (US.) *England’s Heather Knight, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Dani Gibson & Lauren Filer *Including U19’s Sophie Munro (recalled for 2nd match) *Dani Gibson 18(7)went ‘leg-before’ to Shabnim Ismail. *Amelia Kerr 5(6) was caught by Tammy Beaumont from Claire Nicholas (1/21.) *Grace Harris 10(10) went ‘leg-before’ to Shabnim Ismail (2/26.) *By mid-way, 89 runs were needed, from 50 balls remaining. *Richa Ghosh 34(26) was caught at ‘short-third’ by Hayley Matthews, bowled by Sophia Dunkley *Heather Knight 34(28) was played-on from an ‘inside-edge’ from Sophia Dunkley (2/15.) *Without any opportunity to ‘play-herself-in,’ Sarah Glenn 2(3) was caught by Georgia Elwiss, bowled by Alex Hartley (1/20.) *Sophie Munro 0(2) was snicked an edge to keeper  Sarah Bryce from Freya Davies (1/35); and went for a ‘second-ball duck’ upon review, from a ‘good-length’ ball. *Lauren Filer was 4*not out (5) *Best ‘Spirit’ batters was Richa Ghosh 34(26); *Best ‘Fire’ bowler was Sophia Dunkley (2/15.)

Match summary: ‘Fire’ went off to a flying-start, until Sophie Munro had ‘immediate impact,’ deceiving skipper Tammy Beaumont 40(28 by her slower-ball. Tammy Beaumont went top of the batting leader-board with 253 runs-to-date; overtaking Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield (226.) Sophia Dunkley had ‘a superb knock,’ scoring her second competition ‘fifty’ this season, said to ‘create a platform’ for what turned out to be this year’s third highest team score, despite more use of ‘spin’ than ‘seam.’ Commentators lauded ‘Fire’ for their ‘wonderfully constructed’ innings’ with ‘good running’ between the wickets. Receiving her POTM Meerkat Match Hero cap-and-medal from Eoin Morgan, Sophia Dunkley had taken ’time away’ and came back to play some ‘great’ cricket. Standings after 7 rounds (at time of writing): ‘Brave’ 1st (12 points); ‘Fire’ 2nd (11 points); ’Superchargers’ 3rd (10 points.) One match remaining when ‘Fire’ play ‘Superchargers’ at the group stage – also a ‘dress rehearsal,’ if playing ‘Superchargers’ in the ‘eliminator.’ Latest table @URL https://www.thehundred.com/standings/

Match result: Welsh Fire Women 161/4 beat London Spirit Women 138/7 by 3 wickets

*’Fire’s’ batting: 161/4 (from 100 balls @1.6 runs-per-over) Sophia Dunkley  68(48); Tammy Beaumont 40(28), Hayley Matthews 36(23); *’Spirit’s’ bowling: Sophie Munro (2/24), Amelia Kerr (1/27); Fow 1-75, 2-75, 3-153, 4-161. *’Spirit’s’ batting: 138/7 (from 100 balls @1.3 r-p-o) Heather Knight 27(21), Richa Ghosh 23(18), Danielle ‘Dani’ Gibson 18(7), Grace Harris 10(10); ‘Fire’ s’ bowling: Sophia Dunkley 2/15; Shabnim Ismail 2/26, Alex Hartley 1/20, Freya Davies 1/35, Claire Nicholas 1/21; Fow 1-22, 2-28, 3-34, 4-102, 5-107, 6-110, 7-115.

*Scorecard courtesy of BBC Sport @URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKE1000744

*Match highlights (6m55) courtesy of Sky Sports @URL https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/cricket/12944118/tammy-beaumont-leads-welsh-fire-into-the-hundred-knockout-stages-with-win-over-london-spirit

Played before a record number of spectators at Sophia Gardens for watching Womens’ The Hundred, the match could turn out to be a ‘dress-rehearsal’ between the two most likely teams to qualify for the finals. The match reached its climax when 4 ‘byes’ were conceded and two ‘leg-byes’ came from the last two balls. Receiving POTM Meerkat Match Hero cap and medal from Robert Croft, Georgia Adams 40(24) was pleased to have ‘turned-up with her bat,’ leaving ‘Brave’ with a fair chance to score 9 runs from the last set-of-five balls. Earlier, Georgia Adams was ‘Brave’’s best bowler – taking 2 wickets from 22 balls. Introduced by Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE with Robert Croft MBE & Mark Butcher (former England players); and Dinesh Karthik (ex India.) Full match played with  highlights courtesy of Sky Sports (please see below.) Weather at Cardiff was overcast, with damp outfield starting 30 minutes late. Play started with light drizzle, with ball-towelling and improving conditions.

WF-W skipper Tammy Beaumont [*Brave keeper Rhianna Southby] *Internationals Shabnim Ismail (Rep. South Africa), Laura Harris (Australia Women’s Big Bash League), without (injured) Hayley Matthews. *England’s Tammy Beaumont, Sophia Dunkley & Freya Davies; with Scotland’s Sarah Bryce. *Play started at 15h00, with light drizzle. *Hit well, but with ‘insufficient contact,’ Tammy Beaumont 10(9) was ‘unmistakably’ caught at ‘deep-mid-wicket’ by Danni Wyatt from Georgia Adams. *After 25 balls ‘Power-play,’ ‘Fire’ were 47/1. *Sophia Dunkley survived a ‘mix-up’ from the 49th ball. *By mid-way (50 balls) ‘Fire’ were 75/1. *’Strategic-time-out’ was called after 55 balls (83/1) with Brave needing to  ‘rescue momentum.’ *Cursed next ball by commentators for batting ‘with her stumps exposed,’ Sophia Dunkley 50(33) with 5 ‘fours’ & 1 ‘six,’ was bowled ‘off-stump’ by Chloe Tryon; having ‘changed her mind’ on ‘drift.’ *Sent-in to ‘muscle the ball,’ Laura Harris 19(8) ‘quick-fired’ three ‘fours’ & 1 ’six’ until playing a slower ball, ‘too early’ and was bowled by Anya Shrubsole (clocked at 62mph.) *Georgia Elwiss 13(13) ‘chipped’ straight-overhead, caught at ‘long-on’ by Maia Bouchier, from Georgia Adams (2/22) *Ella McCaughan 2(2) was ‘run out’ by Maia Bouchier’s accurate throw to Lauren Bell at the non-stiker’s end, from the last ball *Sarah Bryce 44*not out (36) scored 4 ‘fours.’ *Best ‘Fire’ batter was Sophia Dunkley who made ‘fifty.’ *Best ‘Brave’ bowler was Georgia Adams (2/22.)

SB-W *Skipper/coach Anya Shrubsole with unchanged side. *[Lizelle Lee keeping wicket for Fire] *Internationals Smriti Mandhana (India), Maitlan Brown (Australia WBBL) & Chloe Tryon (Rep. South Africa.) *England’s Danni Wyatt, Maia Bouchier & Freya Kemp. *Commentators curse struck when Danni Wyatt ‘who’d had a good season so far’ went for a 2nd ball duck, caught by Laura Harris from Shabnim Ismail’s 5th ball. *After 25 balls ‘Power-play,’ ‘Brave’ were 43/1 (vs 47/1,) needing another 102 runs to win. *By mid-way (50 balls) ‘Brave were 77/1 (vs 75/1.) *’Without foot movement, Smriti Mandhana 41(30) mis-timed to ’deep-extra-cover,’ caught by Shabnim Ismail from Freya Davies (64-66mph.) *Having earlier hit Freya Davies for ‘six,’ and Claire Nicholas for 2 ‘sixes,’ Maia Bouchier 42(26) was caught at ‘long-off’ by Freya Davies from Georgia Elwiss’ full-length ball. *Freya Kemp 0(1) went ‘leg-before’ for a ‘golden duck’ from Georgia Elwiss half-volley; *(noted as misreported elsewhere as ‘caught’ with catcher unstated) *Surviving Georgia Elwiss’ ‘hat-trick’ ball, Chloe Tryon 7(9) was bowled by Shabnim Ismail *(noted as mis-reported elsewhere as mis-timed to ‘Sophia Dunkley’ at ‘deep-mid-wicket’) *Georgia Adams 40(24) was ‘Sophia Dunkley’ at ‘deep-mid-wicket’ from Freya Davies *Next ball, Kalea Moore  0(1) was ‘run-out’ by at the ‘non-striker’s-end’ Freya Davies’ direct-hit for a ‘golden duck.’ *Rhianna Southby *0(0) was ‘run out’ by Sophia Dunkley’s throw from ‘deep-mid-wicket’ from the 98th ball (that was bowled to Maitlan Brown. *Two ‘leg-byes’ came from the last two balls, the first taken by Maitlan Brown to level the scores; and the second ‘leg-bye’ taken by Anya Shrubsole to win the match. *Maitlan Brown 5*not out(6); Anya Shrubsole 0*not out(1) *Best ‘Brave’ batter was Maia Bouchier 42(26.) *Best ‘Fire’ bowler was Shabnim Ismail 2/19.

Match summary Sophia Dunkley’s ‘fifty and Sarah Bryce’s 44*not out, made certain that ‘Fire’ posted a defendable score, with comparative scores level-pegging for most of the match. Georgia Adams 40(24) was ‘Brave’s’ 3rd batter to hit the 40-run mark. Earlier, Georgia Adams was also ‘Brave’’s best bowler – taking 2 wickets from 22 balls, awarding her POTM Meerkat Match Hero cap and medal. As mentioned above, the match reached its climax when 4 ‘byes’ were conceded by distraught keeper Sarah Bryce; followed by two ‘leg-byes’ from the last two balls. Penultimate ball enabled Maitlan Brown to level the scores. Second ‘leg-bye’ enabled Anya Shrubsole to win the match. Half-way through this year’s competition, a ‘top three trio’ have lost only one game each, already looking to book their places in the finals: ‘Brave,’ ‘Superchargers’ and ‘Fire.’

Match result: Southern Brave Women 145/8 (target 145) beat Welsh Fire Women: 144/5 by 2 wickets

*Fire’s batting: 144/5 (from 100 balls @1.4 runs-per-ball); Sophia Dunkley 50(33), Sarah Bryce 44*not out (36), Laura Harris 19(8), Georgia Elwiss 13(13), Tammy Beaumont 10(9); *Brave’s bowling: Georgia Adams 2/22, Anya Shrubsole 1/22, Chloe Tryon 1/31; *Fow: 1/19, 2-92, 3-114, 4-138, 5-144.

*Brave’s batting: 145/8 (from 100 balls @1.4 runs-per-ball); Maia Bouchier 42(26), Smriti Mandhana 41(30), Georgia Adams 40 (24) *Fire’s bowling: Shabnim Ismail 2/19, Georgia Elwiss 2/25, Freya Davies 2/29; *Fow 1/11, 2-78, 3-92, 4-92, 5-116, 6-136, 7-136, 8-143.

*Scorecard courtesy of BBC Sport @URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKE1000733

*Match highlights available from Sky Sports @URLhttps://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/12939040/welsh-fire-v-southern-brave