By David Williams
Welsh Fire’s bid to make the finals day of the men’s Hundred have been ended by Southern Brave.
Fire needed Manchester Originals to beat Brave in order for the Cardiff-based outfit to make Sunday’s eliminator.
But Tymal Mills continued his excellent Hundred campaign with three more wickets to help Southern Brave beat the Originals by six wickets, chasing 131 at Emirates Old Trafford.
https://twitter.com/thehundred/status/1694446192581640592?s=20
Brave qualify for Saturday’s Eliminator – against the same opponents – having eapfrogged Welsh Fire into third place in the table with their fourth win from eight games.
“I would have liked that to have finished 10 or 15 balls earlier but we got the job done,” said Mills.
“It was tricky. The weather didn’t help. But we knew we just had to win so there wasn’t the time pressure on it.
“We can’t take anything for granted. Just because we beat them here doesn’t mean we’re going to roll them over on Saturday.”
Their win also included a calm 54 off 40 balls from unbeaten New Zealand opener Devon Conway.
Another 3️⃣ wicket for Tymal Mills!@thehundred #TymalMills #SouthernBrave #TheHundred pic.twitter.com/ccKeHhTOYo
— the_cricket_web (@the_cricket_web) August 23, 2023
Mills’ deceptive left-arm was perfect for this used, pace-off pitch. He returned 3 for 27 from 20 balls, and his tally of 15 wickets is now more than anyone else in the competition.
Brave, who won with five balls to spare, remain on course to reclaim the title they won in 2021 – the Hundred’s inaugural year – and they will face last year’s finalists Manchester at the Oval on Saturday evening.
The winners face the Oval Invincibles in the Lord’s final 24 hours later.
Manchester were all but qualified in second place before a ball was bowled. Brave needed to chase their target in 50 balls to knock them out.
England limited-overs captain Jos Buttler top-scored with 45 off 42 for Originals, who made 130 for 8 and were never able to break free having been inserted.
Latest; #SouthernBrave win v #ManchesterOriginals men which means the #WelshFire men haven’t qualified for the @thehundred Eliminator@gtfm_radio @GTFMSPORT pic.twitter.com/pp73cajOb4
— Ioan Dyer (@Ioan_Dyer) August 23, 2023
Phil Salt, with two fours and a towering straight six in 17 off eight balls, was their most aggressive batter, and sluggish conditions were best highlighted by Buttler lacking fluency.
Manchester Originals captain Jos Buttler: “We’re through, and that’s the main thing. We are disappointed to lose but we’re still in it.
Manchester Originals captain Jos Buttler said: “We’re through, and that’s the main thing. We are disappointed to lose but we’re still in it.
“It’s good to see your opposition and know what you’re up against but I don’t think this means too much when we’re looking ahead.
“The rain made it tricky for us with the bowlers finding it hard to grip the ball so we’ll start again at a new venue.”
The Hundred 2023: Southern Brave beat Manchester Originals to set up a rematch in the eliminator. – Disappointed that Welsh Fire failed to qualify for The Eliminator but well done to them for a much better season. https://t.co/qrPbc2vlsA
— Richard Boyle (@Vincentian46) August 23, 2023