Welsh Fire produced a brilliant bowling display to record a second straight victory in The Hundred, as the Oval Invincibles were left to rue another underwhelming run-chase…
STORY OF THE MATCH
The Invincibles appeared in control after delivering a disciplined bowling display to restrict Welsh Fire to 112 from their 100 balls, with captain Dane van Niekerk leading from the front – taking 1-10 from her 20 balls.
Hayley Matthews (21) and Georgia Redmayne (30) gave the visitors impetus following a subdued start, but having put on 47 for the second wicket, Van Niekerk claimed the prized scalp of Matthews, before Grace Gibbs accounted for Redmayne with a brilliant piece of fielding.
Sarah Taylor (29 off 24) dazzled to take Welsh Fire past three figures, although their innings fizzled out when Taylor was dismissed by 16-year-old Alice Capsey (1-17 off 20), who once again impressed.
- Scorecard: Oval Invincibles vs Welsh Fire
- The Hundred – latest standings
The Invincibles’ reply began in nightmare fashion when Georgia Adams was run out without scoring, and despite cameos from Capsey (14) and Gibbs (21), they were unable to break the shackles.
In the absence of Marizanne Kapp, the Invincibles were largely reliant on Van Niekerk to supply the middle order fireworks, but she struggled to settle, making just 8 from 16 balls before she was dismissed by Nicole Harvey (2-11 off 15).
Fran Wilson (20) battled valiantly but struggled for fluency, and while Jo Gardner enjoyed a late flurry (12 off 5), Welsh Fire claimed five wickets in the last 18 balls to prevail by 12 runs in a frenetic finale, with Hayley Matthews boasting impressive figures of 3-23 from her 20 deliveries.
SENSATIONAL SARAH TAYLOR
Taylor was renowned for her innovation throughout a stellar international career, and she showcased her ingenuity in an enterprising cameo at the Oval.
The former England wicketkeeper made 29 from just 24 balls, and she conjured up one of the shots of The Hundred thus far – dispatching a full-length delivery from Tash Farrant with an outrageous reverse flick that was timed to perfection.
Welsh Fire captain Sophie Luff praised Taylor’s influence in her post-match interview, and the 32-year-old was impeccable with the gloves throughout, to cap off a superb individual display.
GEORGE TAKES A STUNNER
The defining blow for the Invincibles was the wicket of their lynchpin Van Niekerk, who was magnificently caught by Katie George at deep mid-wicket.
Van Niekerk guided her side to victory with an unbeaten 56 in their opener at the Oval, although George’s wonderful diving effort – taken millimetres off the ground – inspired her side to a second consecutive victory.
George added a further two catches to her tally in the closing stages, accounting for both Mady Villiers and Tash Farrant, albeit in more regulation fashion.
WHAT THEY SAID
Welsh Fire captain, Sophie Luff: “We felt we were a few runs light, but we bowled and fielded particularly well on Saturday, and we backed that up today. The girls were outstanding in the field.
“I’m in awe of the shots she [Sarah Taylor] plays. We put a little bit of a partnership together, but it’s a shame she couldn’t carry on during the back end of the innings.
“That is something we probably need to work on going forward, but the way that she keeps, the way that she drives the energy in the field is fantastic.
“We feel like we’re on a little bit of a roll now. We’ve got that momentum and I think in competitions like this, you need that, so on to the next one!”
WHAT’S NEXT?
London Spirit
Northern Superchargers
London Spirit
Northern Superchargers
We remain in the capital for Tuesday’s double-header, as London Spirit take on the Northern Superchargers at Lord’s.
The women’s match is live on the Sky Sports Cricket YouTube channel, plus Sky Sports The Hundred, Sky Sports Mix and Sky Sports Main Event from 2.30pm, with the Superchargers bidding to maintain their unbeaten start.
The men’s meeting follows at 6pm on Sky Sports The Hundred, Sky Sports Mix and Sky Sports Main Event, with Eoin Morgan’s London Spirit still searching for their first victory.
Watch The Hundred live on Sky Sports between now and August 21.
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