In a thrilling encounter at the Ageas Bowl in The Hundred men’s competition, Southern Brave secured their first win of the tournament by defeating Welsh Fire by a narrow two-run margin. The standout performance came from Chris Jordan, who played an explosive innings of 70 not out off just 32 balls.
Southern Brave faced a challenging situation, struggling at 76-8, but Jordan’s extraordinary hitting turned the game around. He smashed an impressive total of seven sixes and three fours to help his team reach a competitive total of 147-8.
Welsh Fire’s Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-27, supported by Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi, who took 1-16.
In response, Welsh Fire’s David Willey contributed a valuable 31 runs, but the match came down to a nail-biting finish. Needing three runs off the last ball, Willey attempted a big shot off Tymal Mills but was caught, leading to Southern Brave’s thrilling victory.
Notably, Jordan’s outstanding innings featured three consecutive sixes off Welsh Fire left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merwe, and he reached his half-century off just 26 balls by hitting a maximum off David Payne.
It’s worth mentioning that Southern Brave had to field without Jordan in the second innings due to a calf injury he sustained while batting. However, Tymal Mills (2-23) and Rehan Ahmed (2-28) stepped up as key bowlers, helping Brave defend their total despite it being below the average winning score of 168 at the Ageas Bowl in The Hundred.
Welsh Fire’s Stephen Eskinazi also impressed, hitting a six off his first ball before getting stumped for 31 off 18 balls, sharing the top score with David Willey.
Jordan’s incredible knock received high praise, with former England batter Michael Carberry describing it as one of the best white-ball innings he has seen in some time, praising Jordan’s intelligence and timing.
Chris Jordan himself credited his commitment and the team’s collective effort for the victory. He expressed confidence in the changing room, knowing that players can step up and fulfill different roles as required.
Cricket fans can catch The Hundred matches on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer every Wednesday and Saturday during the competition, with the finals set for Sunday, 27 August.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hundred 2023
What was the result of the Southern Brave vs. Welsh Fire match in The Hundred 2023?
The result of the match was a thrilling victory for Southern Brave, who won by a narrow margin of two runs.
Who played a key role in Southern Brave’s victory?
Chris Jordan played a pivotal role in Southern Brave’s victory. He scored an unbeaten 70 off just 32 balls, showcasing explosive hitting to help his team post a competitive total.
How did Welsh Fire perform in their chase?
Welsh Fire put up a strong fight in their chase. David Willey’s 31 runs and Stephen Eskinazi’s aggressive start were notable contributions. However, they fell just short, needing three runs off the final ball to win.
What did Michael Carberry say about Chris Jordan’s innings?
Former England batter Michael Carberry praised Chris Jordan’s innings, calling it one of the best white-ball knocks he had seen in some time. He admired Jordan’s intelligence and timing in his batting approach.
How did Southern Brave’s bowlers fare in defending their total?
Southern Brave’s bowlers performed admirably to defend their total. Tymal Mills (2-23) and Rehan Ahmed (2-28) were the standout bowlers, contributing significantly to Brave’s victory.
More about Hundred 2023
- The Hundred Official Website: The Hundred
- Southern Brave Team Profile: Southern Brave
- Welsh Fire Team Profile: Welsh Fire
- Chris Jordan Profile: Chris Jordan
- BBC Sport Cricket Section: BBC Sport Cricket
- The Ageas Bowl Official Website: The Ageas Bowl
2 comments
kudos to jordan for his smrt knock! He took the game deep & sealed the win! #CleverBatting #TheHundred2023 #GameChanger
Chris jrdn’s explosv hittin wuz absolutly mindblowin! #WhtABatman #WhiteBallKnock #TheHundred