Welsh Fire beat MI London by 15 runs – The Hundred Match Report
Welsh Fire won by 15 runs in the 6th match of 34 in The Hundred at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Rachin Ravindra delivered a masterclass with the bat, smashing 98 off just 44 balls to power Welsh Fire to 167 for 5, before Lockie Ferguson dismantled MI London’s chase with a devastating 4 for 27. The win extends Welsh Fire’s perfect start to the tournament – 2 wins from 2 matches – while MI London slip to 2nd place with 1 win and 1 loss.
Welsh Fire’s Explosive Batting Display
MI London won the toss and elected to bowl, but Welsh Fire’s top order made them pay immediately. Philip Salt fell cheaply for 6 at 11 for 1 in the 3rd over, caught off Trent Boult‘s bowling. Matthew Short followed at 20 for 2 in the 4th over, clean bowled by Richard Gleeson.
But Joe Root steadied the ship with 29 off 26 balls, building a crucial 116-run partnership with Ravindra that shifted the momentum decisively. Root was stumped at 136 for 3 in the 16th over, but by then the damage was done – Ravindra was in full flight.
Ravindra’s innings was a thing of beauty. He struck 7 fours and 7 sixes, reaching 98 off 44 balls at a strike rate of 223 before being caught at 163 for 4 in the 19th over. Jordan Cox provided the final flourish with 17 off 9 (1 four, 1 six), while Marco Jansen contributed 4 off 2 before being run out in the final over. Welsh Fire’s 167 for 5 proved a bridge too far for MI London.
Ferguson’s Four-Wicket Masterclass
MI London’s chase began promisingly when Will Jacks struck 12 off 7 (2 fours) before falling at 18 for 1. But Ferguson’s introduction changed everything. The New Zealand quick took 4 for 27 from 3.2 overs – a devastating spell that included the wickets of Jason Roy (clean bowled for 14 at 72 for 3), Sam Curran (caught for a duck at 72 for 4), and Nicholas Pooran (caught for 17 at 104 for 5).
James Vince fought hard with 66 off 38 (7 fours, 4 sixes) at a strike rate of 174, but lacked sufficient support. Sherfane Rutherford contributed 24 off 18 (2 fours, 1 six) and Tom Curran added 10 off 11, but MI London fell 15 runs short at 152 for 6. Samuel Cook took 1 for 19 from 3.2 overs for Welsh Fire, while Ravindra chipped in with 1 for 25 from 2.3 overs.
Statz MVP: Rachin Ravindra (Statz Rating: 163.22)
Rachin Ravindra earns the Statz MVP award with a rating of 163.22 – a commanding performance that defined the match. His 98 off 44 balls (7 fours, 7 sixes) at a strike rate of 223 was the centrepiece of Welsh Fire’s total, and his 1 for 25 with the ball added value in the field. The official Man of the Match also went to Ravindra, recognising his match-winning all-round display.
Top 5 Statz Ratings
- Rachin Ravindra (WF) – Statz Rating: 163.22 – 98 off 44 (SR 223, 7 fours, 7 sixes) plus 1/25 with the ball. Dominant all-round display in a high-pressure fixture.
- James Vince (MIL) – Statz Rating: 100 – 66 off 38 (SR 174, 7 fours, 4 sixes). Fought hard but lacked support in a losing cause.
- Lockie Ferguson (WF) – Statz Rating: 85.76 – 4/27 from 3.2 overs at economy 8.1. Devastating spell that broke the back of MI London’s chase.
- Trent Boult (MIL) – Statz Rating: 54.65 – 1/16 from 3.2 overs at economy 4.8. Economical but unable to stem the flow of runs.
- Samuel Cook (WF) – Statz Rating: 45.14 – 1/19 from 3.2 overs at economy 5.7. Tight bowling in the powerplay and death overs.
Turning Point
The match turned decisively when Ferguson was introduced into the attack during MI London’s chase. His spell of 4 for 27 from 3.2 overs – particularly the dismissals of Roy, Sam Curran and Pooran in quick succession – left MI London’s middle order in tatters. By the time Vince was caught at 122 for 2 in the 14th over, the chase had effectively been won and lost.
Tournament Context
Welsh Fire’s victory extends their unbeaten record to 2 wins from 2 matches, placing them top of The Hundred standings with 8 points and a net run rate of 0.632. MI London remain 2nd with 4 points from 2 matches (1 win, 1 loss) and a net run rate of 1.198. Check the full head-to-head record and explore bet builder markets on Statz Cricket for more insight into this contest.
