The Hundred: Sophia Dunkley and Anya Shrubsole help steer Southern Brave as they continue unbeaten run against Welsh Fire | Cricket News

Sophia Dunkley scored 49 runs off 43 balls as Southern Brave secured another win against Welsh Fire; Lauren Bell, Georgia Adams and captain Anya Shrubsole all contributed with the ball as the visitors bowled Fire out for 108

Sophia Dunkley struck a stellar 49 off 43 balls as Southern Brave put in another big performance. (Getty Images)

Southern Brave put in another perfectly balanced performance to beat Welsh Fire, with the batting prowess of Sophia Dunkley combined with the bowling of Lauren Bell, Anya Shrubsole and Georgia Adams extending their unbeaten run to four matches in a row. 

Dunkley’s 49 runs off 43 balls included six boundaries as she steadied the batting performance for her side, Adams coming in late on to add 25 more.

Despite a solid batting performance from the Brave, Welsh Fire’s bowlers fought back as Hayley Matthews took 2-26, with both wickets falling with just five balls remaining, leaving Southern Brave with 122-8 to defend.

A difficult, and still winless, campaign for Welsh Fire continued as they stepped up to bat, the early dismissal of Tammy Beaumont starting a run of wickets to leave the home side five wickets down for just 67 runs and with a big task ahead.

Sarah Bryce put in an entertaining knock of 28, but Shrubsole’s dismissal of Katie George and Lauren Filer in two balls left the Fire unable to complete a comeback.

Southern Brave’s bowling outfit left no room for error for Welsh Fire as they reduced them to their final batter. (Getty Images)

After Shrubsole’s brilliant spell, Adams then stepped up to take a couple of back-to-back wickets of her own to dismiss the remainder of Welsh Fire’s line-up and seal another victory for the in-form Brave.

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Hero of the game, Sophia Dunkley (49 off 43 balls)

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Sophia Dunkley was named the match hero after her 49 runs from 42 balls helped Southern Brave beat Welsh Fire by 14 runs.

Dunkley said: “I just tried to bat through the innings and be positive and try and anchor it a little bit.

“We thought 125 was a good score so we just tried to do that.

“It was just a bit hard, but getting a score on that [meant] we had the bowling to defend it.

“I think our bowlers were outstanding today.

“Really happy with that and the bowlers should be really proud of what they did.”

What’s next?

On Tuesday, Oval Invincibles are back in action at the Kia Oval as they welcome Birmingham Phoenix, with the women’s fixture getting under way at 3pm before the men’s match at 6.30pm.

Invincibles vs Phoenix

August 23, 2022, 2:30pm

Live on

Invincibles vs Phoenix

August 23, 2022, 6:00pm

Live on

Welsh Fire are next in action on Wednesday as they travel to Lord’s to face London Spirit (women’s match at 3pm followed by the men at 6.30pm).

For Southern Brave, a home fixture awaits on Thursday as they face Trent Rockets. The women’s match will get under way at 3.30pm followed by the men’s match at 7pm.

Watch every match from The Hundred this summer live on Sky Sports.

Tickets for The Hundred are selling fast! If you want to be part of the action, go to thehundred.com/tickets