The Hundred 2024: James Vince and Tymal Mills take Southern Brave top

The Brave skipper hits an unbeaten 73 before left-armer Mills takes 4 for 16 as Welsh Fire are bowled out for 97

ECB Media | 05/08/2024 at 21:15

Cardiff: Southern Brave 139-5, Welsh Fire 97 - Southern Brave won by 42 runs

Southern Brave made it three wins from four in The Hundred this year by thrashing Welsh Fire at Sophia Gardens.

James Vince's match-winning 73 from 50 balls in the first innings set Fire 140 to win, and the home side never threatened to reach the target - leaving Brave ending the night on top of the table in the men's competition.

Welsh Fire had won the toss and elected to field first, but the Brave batters worked well in partnerships with Alex Davies, Leus du Plooy and Kieron Pollard all supporting the in-form Vince's superb 73 not out, which included seven fours and three sixes.

A Chris Jordan cameo in the final 10 balls featured a 98-metre six, before he fell to the last ball, skying David Payne and being well caught by David Willey.

raufh050810

^{Haris Rauf took two wickets but few of the Fire attack could quell the flow of runs (ECB via Getty Images)}

Haris Rauf (2 for 22) and Matt Henry (1 for 20) were the standout bowlers for Welsh Fire, with the home side hoping conditions under the lights might favour a big chase.

In reply though, Luke Wells and Jonny Bairstow struggled to get opening bowlers Akeal Hossein and Craig Overton away, with just 29 scored from the first 30 balls and the bowlers making life difficult with significant swing.

Both opening batters then fell in quick succession as the Brave took control, with Tymal Mills (4 for 16), Danny Briggs (3 for 14) and Chris Jordan (2 for 19) running through the Welsh Fire batting order to seal a very comfortable victory.