SOB VS WEF MATCH 5

That is it then from another tight contest and The Hundred, 2023 competition is off and running in some style with already so many games going down to the wire. The action just doesn't stop as on Saturday, the 5th of August, there's a doubleheader lined up. First up, it will be Manchester Originals taking on London Spirit at Old Trafford in Manchester at 7 pm IST (1.30 pm GMT). This will be followed by a clash between Birmingham Phoenix and Trent Rockets at Edgbaston in Birmingham at 10.30 pm IST (5 pm GMT). Our build-up for those games however will begin a lot sooner. Do join us then, take care and goodbye!

Chris Jordan is the Hero of the Match for his sensational game-changing knock. Jordan says that he thinks that he has tweaked his calf. Adds that it is part and parcel of the game and he is happy to get the job done. Mentions that he got the momentum and just kept going. Informs that the plan was to take the game deep and applauds the crowd for their support. States that his team bowled pretty well and everyone played a role and stepped up.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Tom Abell won the toss and put Southern Brave into bat first. This proved to be a great decision and the sensational pace attack of Welsh Fire that included the likes of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf got the home side down at 76/8 and it looked like they would be kept around the 100-run mark. Not to be as Chris Jordan who after a watchful start, just hammered the ball to all parts of the ground and struck 7 sixes and took his side to a defendable total of 147 runs. In reply, Welsh Fire had an up-and-down innings but Southern Brave managed to pick enough wickets to get the job done.

Welsh Fire will be kicking themselves for letting the game slip first with the ball and now with the bat as well. They did lose Joe Clarke for a duck but then Luke Wells and Stephen Eskinazi looked solid and kept the scoring rate high. Once Wells fell though, things started to go downhill and the fall of a few wickets really hampered the scoring rate. It was then a late fightback by Ben Green and especially, David Willey that allowed them to really get back in the game and with the game going to the final ball, Willey got out and they ended up falling just a couple of runs short.

Midway through the first innings and no one would have given Southern Brave any chance of winning this game but a stellar showing from Chris Jordan down the order and then a terrific all-rounded bowling display has caught them their first points on the board. Southern Brave started well with the ball as Craig Overton got an early wicket but then were pushed back a bit. Rehan Ahmed came in and picked up both the set batters that halted the scoring rate and allowed the home team into the game. The pacers then bowled good variations and were able to pick up timely wickets but it all got nervy toward the end as a few boundaries were leaked and they had to wait till the final ball to celebrate.

Oh, my word! What a finish to this humdinger of a match and David Willey is left heartbroken on his knees as the crowd gets up on their feet to applaud the home side who have just about managed to hold on and get over the line. Hats off to Tymal Mills, who even after conceding all those twos, kept his cool and got the job done.

OUT! TAKEN! David Willey is gone and Southern Brave win this thriller by 2 runs! A fantastic catch under pressure by the substitute fielder Joe Weatherley! The crowd is delighted and so are the Southern Brave players, brilliant game this! Back of a length and around off. Willey makes room to slap it away but only manages to get a top edge. The ball goes high in the air towards point and Joe Weatherley keeps his cool to take a superb catch while moving back. David Willey is gutted! Tymal Mills was absolutely brilliant and with his plethora of skills, he has won the game for his side.

Another two! 3 needed to win off the final ball! Back of a length, on leg, Willey pulls it aerially but the ball fell in no man's land again and by the time fielder manages to cut it off, Willey and Roelof van der Merwe have run two again.

Back of a length, around off. Willey slams it towards deep extra cover and comes back for the second run. Brilliant running again!

Back of a length, on leg. Willey works it softly towards the fine leg region and takes two. Good running! 7 needed off 3 now!

Oh, absolutely brilliant fielding! Short and on middle. Willey makes room and pulls it to the deep square leg region. The fielder there runs to his left and dives full-length to save crucial two runs for his side.

Just over extra cover! A full delivery on off. Willey tries to heave it away but gets a leading edge. The ball loops up in the air but falls just away from the backward running extra cover fielder. Two taken. 11 needed off 5 balls!

A fullish delivery on off. Roelof van der Merwe makes room and drills it to mid off for a single.

Roelof van der Merwe walks out to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Gone this time! A good knock comes to an end and now 14 needed off 7 balls! A fullish delivery on off. Green goes deep in his crease and tries to go downtown. However, he fails to get the desired power and elevation on this shot and Tim David at long on takes a good low catch.

FOUR! BANG! Short and around off. Green flat-bats it straight down the ground for a boundary.