The Hundred: Southern Brave all-round excellence leads to title surge

Out of nowhere, on just the 10th ball, Amanda-Jade Wellington with pin-point precision launched the ball towards the stumps with a direct hit, catching Welsh Fire’s opening batter completely off-guard.

Southern Brave were ruthless from start to end. The hosts hands were tied, as seamers Shrubsole and Bell unleashed penetrating inswingers while the Taylors, Morris and Wellington tempted the batters with deceiving spin.

The Australian’s leg spin proved crucial to denying Welsh Fire the much needed boundaries to produce a competitive score. Wellington conceded only 19 runs with her spell of 20 balls, taking two wickets in the process.

The 24-year-old had MacLeod caught at backward square leg and enticed Piepa Cleary down the wicket with a slower ball, which she swung at and missed for Carla Rudd (WK) to take the stumping.

England hopeful Lauren Bell was also on fire. One could say the match was over once she had Barbadian threat Hayley Matthews caught on the off-side, putting an end to the powerful fours. The next ball was even better, as Bell’s best delivery so far caught the back of Sarah Taylor’s leg – dismissing the Ex-England wicket keeper for a golden duck.

The visitors continued to dominate into the second innings at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. The dark grey clouds were fitting to the emotions felt by the home crowd.

I think today’s victory was all about the bowlers and fielders. Nothing to do with batting

– Smriti Mandhana

Not only did Welsh Fire have to deal with an infallible bowling performance but now they had to face the best T20 batters in the world, Smriti Mandhana and Danni Wyatt.

Smriti Mandhana took control and produced a remarkable half-century of 61 off 39. Contributions from Wyatt (12), Sophia Dunkley (16) and Stafanie Taylor (17*) also helped prop up Mandhana’s excellent innings and Brave comfortably chased the 110 runs set by Fire. 

Ranked third in T20 batters in the world, Mandhana finished the match off in style by lofting the ball for six over long-on.

Southern Brave were relentless. Utterly superior in every aspect of the game; bowling, fielding and batting. They now stand top of the table, joint with the Northern Superchargers and Oval Invincibles, each with two wins and zero losses. Today’s near flawless performance shows Southern Brave (Women) really are the team to beat.

Cazoo Hero of the Match Smriti Mandhana: “I think today’s victory was all about the bowlers and fielders. Nothing to do with batting. Getting 110 runs, I think as a batter you have to get it, but our bowlers and fielders were great. The whole fielding and bowling unit was the hero of the match today for me.”