Welsh Fire vs Southern Brave, Cardiff
Welsh Fire 165/4 in 100 balls (Bairstow 72; Briggs 2-33) beat Southern Brave 147/7 in 100 balls (Vince 40; Neesham 3-5) by 18 runs. Player of the Match: Jonny Bairstow.
Welsh Fire’s top order put up a stunning display of their hitting prowess to help them reach an imposing 165/4. Southern Brave fought valiantly but fell 18 short of the target. This was the second consecutive victory for the Welsh.
Tom Banton cleared his intention immediately with a back-to-back sixes off Danny Briggs off the second and third balls of the match. Banton then went after Tymal Mills, smashing three fours. He was eventually undone by Jake Lintott.
After Banton’s departure, Bairstow took the responsibility upon himself. He added 116 for the second wicket with Ben Duckett. Bairstow smashed five sixes and as many fours en route a 39-ball 72. Duckett got out on 53.
Chasing 166 was never going to be easy for the Southern Brave. Quinton de Kock (21 in 7 balls) gave them a brisk start. They reached 41 after 14 balls, but ran out of steam once James Vince (40) and Devon Conway (23) got out in the space of five balls.
Ross Whiteley (25) sparked some hope before he was bowled by Jimmy Neesham, who picked up three wickets.