Rain Saves Southern Brave as They Clinch Top-Three Spot Despite Abandoned Clash Against Welsh Fire

Southern Brave secured a place in The Hundred’s Eliminator after their rain-affected match against Welsh Fire was abandoned, allowing them to leapfrog Northern Superchargers into second place based on net run rate. The one point gained from the washout guaranteed Brave a top-three finish, confirming their spot in the knockout stages, regardless of Thursday’s final group matches.

Welsh Fire, already out of contention, showcased their batting firepower with an impressive total of 181-5 from 100 balls. The foundation was laid by a blistering fourth-wicket stand between Luke Wells and Glenn Phillips, who added 76 runs from just 30 deliveries. Wells led the charge with a quickfire 53 off 30 balls, while Phillips unleashed a brutal assault, hammering 48 from only 19 deliveries. The New Zealander’s innings included five towering sixes, one of which soared an astonishing 103 meters into the stands.

Southern Brave, knowing that even a point would be enough to seal their knockout spot, got off to a shaky start in their chase. They lost Alex Davies and captain James Vince cheaply, slumping to 21-2 after just 16 balls as Welsh Fire’s bowlers made early inroads. However, the rain arrived soon after, forcing the match to be abandoned and providing a timely reprieve for the Brave.

For Welsh Fire, it was a bittersweet end to their campaign. Despite being out of the playoff race, they ended on a high note with a strong batting performance that highlighted the potential within their squad. Luke Wells, reflecting on his innings, said: "It’s been a tough season for us, but it’s nice to finish with a contribution like that. Phillips was outstanding, and it’s good to see some fight from the team even when the pressure was off."

Southern Brave will now turn their attention to the Eliminator, where they’ll face the third-placed team for a spot in the final at Lord’s. Captain James Vince remains optimistic: "It wasn’t the way we wanted to get through, but we’ve been consistent this season. Now we need to focus on the knockout game and make sure we deliver when it counts."

The rain not only spared Southern Brave from a potential upset but also keeps the race for the final spots alive, with Birmingham Phoenix and Manchester Originals set for a critical showdown on Thursday. With the group stage nearing its conclusion, all eyes will be on the Eliminator and the battle for the prestigious Hundred trophy at Lord’s this weekend.