Short's unbeaten fifty carries Welsh Fire past Southern Brave in The Hundred
Matt Short's composed 60 not out guided Welsh Fire to a six-wicket win over Southern Brave in Cardiff, their fourth victory in five Hundred matches.
Welsh Fire claimed their fourth win in five matches in this season's Hundred as Matt Short's measured half-century set up a six-wicket success against Southern Brave at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.
Chasing 116, Fire lost captain Phil Salt early, but Joe Root and Short put on 56 runs to stabilise the innings on a tricky pitch. Chris Jordan removed Root for 17, and Rachin Ravindra departed for a duck, giving Brave renewed hope. Jordan Cox then fell as the third wicket to go down within 10 runs, yet Short held firm.
Still needing more than a run per ball, Short scooped Jofra Archer for six to complete his fifty from 37 deliveries. He then shared an unbroken partnership with Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who made an unbeaten 23, to seal the match with five balls remaining.
Earlier, Southern Brave were sent in and lost openers Jamie Smith and Ben McKinney without scoring. Marcus Stoinis was the only batter to offer serious resistance, hitting 55 from 39 balls before Sam Cook dismissed him; Cook finished with 3-14. Nikhil Chaudhary managed 18 and David Miller added 21 from 17, but no other Brave batter reached double figures as they finished on 115-8.
Fire moved level with Trent Rockets on 16 points at the top of the table. Brave remained fourth with two wins from six matches.
