The Hundred, women’s event: Southern Brave faced Welsh Fire
Welsh Fire 165-3: Matthews 65 (38); Tryon 1-28
Southern Brave 161-4: Mandhana 70 (42); Griffith 2-26
Welsh Fire triumphed by a narrow margin of four runs
Scorecard; Table
The Welsh Fire squeaked past Southern Brave, despite posting the second-largest total in the history of Women’s Hundred.
An opening stand of 80 runs between Tammy Beaumont and Hayley Matthews steered Fire to 165-3.
In response, Smriti Mandhana and Danni Wyatt led Brave’s innings with a combined score of 96 runs, setting a robust platform for their side.
Mandhana remained undefeated with a swift 70*, but Matthews restricted the home team to five runs in the final set, securing a four-run victory for Fire.
What other important details should you be aware of?
Welsh Fire, who finished last in the 2022 tournament with only one win, are currently leading this year’s rankings.
This defeat marks Brave’s first loss at home in the history of the Hundred, after eight consecutive victories.
Despite not being utilised as a bowler in Southern Brave’s initial match against Trent Rockets, Kalea Moore’s bowling figures of 0-13 from 20 balls without giving away a boundary stood out in the face of Fire’s aggressive batting.
The all-time highest score in the women’s event remains Brave’s 166, achieved against Fire in 2021, with both Wyatt and Mandhana crossing the half-century mark in that game.
Mandhana also became the first female cricketer to surpass 500 runs in the Hundred, with her unbeaten 70* taking her total to 503, six runs ahead of the previous top scorer, Nat Sciver-Brunt.
‘The spectators were privy to a magnificent display’ – quotes from the game
Hayley Matthews, the star of the match, spoke to Sky Sports: “It was fantastic. We had a good wicket and aimed for a hefty total, anticipating their strong response, so it’s satisfying to secure the win.
“This is a major boost for our team. We’ve discussed our previous struggles to win close games, so it’s quite special to manage it today and top it off.
“I was unsure about the number of runs they needed from the final set. I was just focused on my delivery and executing it well. I’m relieved it worked.”
Welsh Fire’s skipper Tammy Beaumont, also speaking to Sky Sports, said: “That was a thrilling cricket match. The audience got their money’s worth. With players like Danni Wyatt and Smriti Mandhana, you’re never certain whether your total is safe. The bowlers really put up a fight. I’m overjoyed.
“Only in the last three deliveries did I feel confident. Freya Kemp is an exceptionally skilled player.
“Hayley Matthews has been a reliable player for the West Indies for many years. After her third set, she said she was done, but I told her, ‘Hayley, we need you to bowl again’, and she simply responded, ‘no problem, skipper’.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about The Hundred 2023: Welsh Fire vs Southern Brave
Who won the match between Welsh Fire and Southern Brave in The Hundred 2023?
Welsh Fire won the match against Southern Brave in The Hundred 2023 by a narrow margin of four runs.
What was the highest partnership for Welsh Fire?
The highest partnership for Welsh Fire was the opening stand of 80 runs between Tammy Beaumont and Hayley Matthews.
Who were the standout performers in the match?
Hayley Matthews from Welsh Fire and Smriti Mandhana from Southern Brave were the standout performers. Matthews scored 65 off 38 balls and Mandhana scored an unbeaten 70 off 42 balls.
Did Welsh Fire perform better in this year’s tournament compared to the previous one?
Yes, Welsh Fire has shown improvement in this year’s tournament. After finishing at the bottom of the table with only one win in 2022, they are currently the early leaders in this year’s standings.
Who became the first woman to score over 500 runs in The Hundred?
Smriti Mandhana became the first woman to pass 500 runs in The Hundred. Her score of 70* in this match took her total to 503 runs.
More about The Hundred 2023: Welsh Fire vs Southern Brave
- The Hundred Official Website
- Cricket Info – Women’s Hundred
- BBC Sport – The Hundred
- Sky Sports – The Hundred
5 comments
heart break for the brave but welldone fire…this is what women’s cricket needs…gritty, close fights and epic entertainment. More please!
mandhana’s performance, as always, top-notch! But can’t ignore Matthews’ crucial role in the win. Great game.
Got to say it, that last over was nail-biting. All credit to the Welsh Fire, they did great.
I tell ya, I haven’t been this pumped since the Ashes! This is the real deal, folks. Can’t wait for more hundred action.
Wow! What a match, eh? Was on the edge of my seat the whole time. This is what cricket’s all about!!