118/8 (20.0)
CR : 5.90
126/7 (20.0)
CR : 6.30
Southern Brave Women won by 8 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Sophie Molineux
3/1422(16)
Over 20
Welsh Fire Women 118/8
Rhianna Southby1(1)
Sophia Smale3(3)
Tilly Corteen-Coleman2-22(20 b)
SB-W won by 8 runs
10:05 PM IST & 5:35 PM Local Time: That's it! What a thrilling contest we have witnessed here in Southampton. Southern Brave have pulled off an incredible heist, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in a dramatic finish. Welsh Fire will be left ruing their missed opportunities as they go down by just 8 runs in a pulsating contest.
Earlier in the day, Welsh Fire won the toss and opted to chase in Southampton. Southern Brave made a positive start, with Lizelle Lee finding the boundary regularly during the powerplay. She was eventually dismissed after the powerplay for 31 off 26 balls. Laura Wolvaardt then walked in at Number 3 and batted through the innings, remaining unbeaten on 45 off 36 balls. Captain Sophie Molineux also made a valuable contribution with 22 off 16 balls. However, with only three batters reaching double figures, Southern Brave were restricted to 126/7—a total that appeared to be 10-15 runs below par.
Welsh Fire, in reply, did not make the ideal start to their chase. Southern Brave spilled far too many chances during the powerplay, handing both openers a lifeline each. Ella McCaughan failed to make the most of her second opportunity and departed for just 1. Georgia Voll and Freya Kemp then combined to build a strong partnership in the middle, with Welsh Fire reaching 31/1 at the end of the powerplay.
The partnership continued to grow and eventually reached 75 off 53 balls before Jemimah Rodrigues produced a run-out to dismiss Freya Kemp for 39. Southern Brave then fought their way back into the contest by picking up wickets at regular intervals. Georgia Voll brought up a superb half-century off 36 balls, but she was dismissed soon after for 52.
Welsh Fire were 109/4 after 85 balls and needed just 18 runs from the final 15 balls. However, the momentum shifted dramatically as the chase completely unraveled. Welsh Fire lost wickets in clusters and stumbled to 118/8, eventually falling short by 8 runs as Southern Brave pulled off a remarkable victory. Sophie Molineux (3/14) was the pick of the bowlers for Southern Brave.
Earlier in the day, Welsh Fire won the toss and opted to chase in Southampton. Southern Brave made a positive start, with Lizelle Lee finding the boundary regularly during the powerplay. She was eventually dismissed after the powerplay for 31 off 26 balls. Laura Wolvaardt then walked in at Number 3 and batted through the innings, remaining unbeaten on 45 off 36 balls. Captain Sophie Molineux also made a valuable contribution with 22 off 16 balls. However, with only three batters reaching double figures, Southern Brave were restricted to 126/7—a total that appeared to be 10-15 runs below par.
Welsh Fire, in reply, did not make the ideal start to their chase. Southern Brave spilled far too many chances during the powerplay, handing both openers a lifeline each. Ella McCaughan failed to make the most of her second opportunity and departed for just 1. Georgia Voll and Freya Kemp then combined to build a strong partnership in the middle, with Welsh Fire reaching 31/1 at the end of the powerplay.
The partnership continued to grow and eventually reached 75 off 53 balls before Jemimah Rodrigues produced a run-out to dismiss Freya Kemp for 39. Southern Brave then fought their way back into the contest by picking up wickets at regular intervals. Georgia Voll brought up a superb half-century off 36 balls, but she was dismissed soon after for 52.
Welsh Fire were 109/4 after 85 balls and needed just 18 runs from the final 15 balls. However, the momentum shifted dramatically as the chase completely unraveled. Welsh Fire lost wickets in clusters and stumbled to 118/8, eventually falling short by 8 runs as Southern Brave pulled off a remarkable victory. Sophie Molineux (3/14) was the pick of the bowlers for Southern Brave.
Lowest Innings Total Defended by Southern Brave in Women’s Hundred:
106/8 vs Welsh Fire, Southampton, 2025
115/3 vs MI London, Southampton, 2021
122/8 vs Welsh Fire, Cardiff, 2022
126/7 vs Welsh Fire, Southampton, 2026, Today*
132/4 vs Birmingham Phoenix, Southampton, 2023
106/8 vs Welsh Fire, Southampton, 2025
115/3 vs MI London, Southampton, 2021
122/8 vs Welsh Fire, Cardiff, 2022
126/7 vs Welsh Fire, Southampton, 2026, Today*
132/4 vs Birmingham Phoenix, Southampton, 2023
Best Bowling Figures for Southern Brave vs Welsh Fire in Women’s Hundred:
4/6 – Lauren Bell, Southampton, 2025
3/14 – Sophie Molineux, Southampton, 2026, Today*
3/20 – Anya Shrubsole, Cardiff, 2022
4/6 – Lauren Bell, Southampton, 2025
3/14 – Sophie Molineux, Southampton, 2026, Today*
3/20 – Anya Shrubsole, Cardiff, 2022
Lowest Margin Wins for Southern Brave in Women’s Hundred (By Runs):
2 vs Trent Rockets, Southampton, 2022
3 vs Birmingham Phoenix, Southampton, 2023
8 vs Welsh Fire, Southampton, 2026, Today*
9 vs Manchester Super Giants, Southampton, 2022
12 vs MI London, The Oval, 2022
2 vs Trent Rockets, Southampton, 2022
3 vs Birmingham Phoenix, Southampton, 2023
8 vs Welsh Fire, Southampton, 2026, Today*
9 vs Manchester Super Giants, Southampton, 2022
12 vs MI London, The Oval, 2022
Hero of the Match: Sophie Molineux
Sophie Molineux (Hero of the Match & Southern Brave Women Captain): "[Thoughts on the win today?] Yeah, especially to do it in that fashion. The girls were great today. We were never out of the game really. It's a nice feeling to get a close win quite early.
[On playing at this venue] It was nice to go out here and nice to play in front of the home fans here. I have always heard that they turn up well and it wasn't different today.
[What was the message to the girls while defending that total?] It was just to hang in there. They were going hard. Hold our nerves for as long as possible. Glenn's spell was good and Tilly to come out in the back end was awesome.
[On those dropped catches] Hopefully, we have got them out of the way. It happens. It's just getting back in the scheme of things and not allowing it to bog.
[On playing in The Hundred] I have loved it. It's a nice atmosphere. It has picked up a touch. Southern Brave have been amazing. Looking forward to getting the boys and hopefully, we get two in two here tonight."
[On playing at this venue] It was nice to go out here and nice to play in front of the home fans here. I have always heard that they turn up well and it wasn't different today.
[What was the message to the girls while defending that total?] It was just to hang in there. They were going hard. Hold our nerves for as long as possible. Glenn's spell was good and Tilly to come out in the back end was awesome.
[On those dropped catches] Hopefully, we have got them out of the way. It happens. It's just getting back in the scheme of things and not allowing it to bog.
[On playing in The Hundred] I have loved it. It's a nice atmosphere. It has picked up a touch. Southern Brave have been amazing. Looking forward to getting the boys and hopefully, we get two in two here tonight."
Welsh Fire will be absolutely kicking themselves after letting this one slip, having been firmly in control of the chase for 17 sets. That’s the beauty and the unpredictability of this format. Southern Brave have pulled off an incredible heist to kickstart their campaign with a victory.
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Akshay Bhide who, along with scorers/analysts Manish Bishnoi & Paras Yadav and statistician Aman brought all the updates of this clash. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Akshay Bhide who, along with scorers/analysts Manish Bishnoi & Paras Yadav and statistician Aman brought all the updates of this clash. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋