Welsh Fire beat Southern Brave by 6 wickets (with 5 balls remaining) – The Hundred Match Report
Welsh Fire won by 6 wickets (with 5 balls remaining) in the 19th match of 34 in The Hundred 2026 at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Matthew Short produced a masterclass with an unbeaten 60 off 41 balls as Welsh Fire hunted down Southern Brave’s modest 115 for 8 with consummate ease. The win lifts Welsh Fire to 2nd (4W 1L, 16pts) while Southern Brave slip to 4th (2W 4L, 8pts) after a disappointing batting collapse.
Southern Brave Stumble to 115
Welsh Fire won the toss and elected to bowl, a decision that paid immediate dividends. Ben McKinney fell for a duck at 1 for 1 in the opening over, and Jamie Smith followed at 2 for 2 in the second over. Southern Brave were in early trouble at 2 for 2.
Nikhil Chaudhary (18 off 23) steadied the ship with a 43-run stand, but Samuel Cook proved too hot to handle. The Welsh Fire bowler took 3 for 14 from 3.2 overs at an economy of 4.38, dismantling the Southern Brave middle order. Marcus Stoinis was the lone bright spot with 55 off 39 (8 fours, 1 six), but he fell at 88 for 4 in the 16th over.
Tristan Stubbs was bowled by Cook for 6, and Moeen Ali departed for a golden duck at 61 for 6. David Miller (21 off 17, 2 sixes) added some late impetus with a 49-run stand, but Southern Brave’s total of 115 for 8 was well below par. Chris Woakes took 1 for 15 from 3.2 overs, while Matthew Short chipped in with 2 for 13 from 0.5 overs.
Short Steers Welsh Fire Home
Philip Salt fell early for 4 at 4 for 1, but Matthew Short took charge from there. The Welsh Fire opener struck 6 fours and 2 sixes in a scintillating 60 off 41 balls at a strike rate of 146, dictating terms throughout the chase. Joe Root contributed 17 off 20 (2 fours) in a 56-run partnership that steadied the innings after Salt’s dismissal.
Rachin Ravindra fell for a duck at 61 for 3, and Jordan Cox managed just 6 at 70 for 4. But Short’s brilliance meant Welsh Fire never lost control. Tom Kohler-Cadmore finished unbeaten on 23 off 19 (3 fours) as Welsh Fire crossed the line with 5 balls to spare. Jofra Archer took 2 for 19 from 3.2 overs for Southern Brave, while Chris Jordan claimed 1 for 17 from 3.2 overs.
Statz MVP: Samuel Cook (Statz Rating: 113.67)
Samuel Cook earns the Statz MVP award with a Statz Rating of 113.67. The Welsh Fire bowler’s 3 for 14 from 3.2 overs was the decisive moment in the match, dismantling Southern Brave’s batting order at a critical juncture. Cook’s economy rate of 4.38 kept the opposition pinned down, and his impact on the contest was profound. The official Man of the Match went to Matthew Short for his unbeaten 60.
Top 5 Statz Ratings
- Samuel Cook (WF) – Statz Rating: 113.67 | 3/14 from 3.2 overs – Devastating spell that broke the back of Southern Brave’s innings.
- Marcus Stoinis (SB) – Statz Rating: 95.7 | 55 off 39 (8 fours, 1 six) – Southern Brave’s sole anchor in a collapse.
- Matthew Short (WF) – Statz Rating: 93.87 | 60 off 41 (6 fours, 2 sixes) plus 2/13 with the ball – Dominant all-round display.
- Jofra Archer (SB) – Statz Rating: 73.8 | 2/19 from 3.2 overs – Took wickets but couldn’t prevent the chase.
- Chris Woakes (WF) – Statz Rating: 46.13 | 1/15 from 3.2 overs – Economical opening spell set the tone.
Turning Point
The match turned when Samuel Cook removed Marcus Stoinis at 88 for 4 in the 16th over. Stoinis had been carrying Southern Brave’s innings, striking at 141, and his dismissal exposed the fragile middle order. Cook then bowled Tristan Stubbs for 6 in the next over, and Southern Brave’s collapse was complete. From that point, 115 looked well short of competitive.
Match Context
This was the 19th match of 34 in The Hundred 2026 group stage. Welsh Fire (2nd, 4W 1L, 16pts) move level on points with Trent Rockets at the summit, though Rockets lead on net run rate. Southern Brave (4th, 2W 4L, 8pts) remain in the hunt but cannot afford further slips. Check the full scorecard on Statz for the complete breakdown, or explore the Bet Builder for more match insights.
