The Hundred 2024: Sophia Dunkley inspires Welsh Fire to Old Trafford win

The England batter hits an unbeaten 69 as the visitors run out comfortable winners, after three wickets for Jess Jonassen

ECB Media | 25/07/2024 at 18:00

Old Trafford: Manchester Originals 113-7, Welsh Fire 117-3 - Welsh Fire won by seven wickets

Sophia Dunkley guided Welsh Fire to victory over Manchester Originals at Emirates Old Trafford in The Hundred, navigating a mid-innings wobble to see her side over the line with four balls to spare.

Dunkley's 69 from just 47 balls formed the backbone of her side's response to the home side's total of 113 for 7, and it required some late acceleration from her to get the job done after Manchester Originals' spin duo of Sophie Ecclestone and Fi Morris had stemmed the scoring rate and pegged Welsh Fire back.

With 12 runs needed from the final 10 balls, it was Dunkley's calculated risk-taking against Ecclestone that proved most crucial, slapping her England team-mate for four through the covers and then repeating the dose behind square on the off side with a reverse sweep.

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^{After a late cameo with the bat, Sophie Ecclestone dismissed Hayley Matthews in the chase (ECB/Getty Images)}

Captain Ecclestone's 15-ball 27 – including two customary lusty blows for six – had earlier given her Originals side something to bowl at after an underwhelming effort with the bat.

Her innings was the lone Originals knock of note, excluding the opening pair of Laura Woolvardt and Beth Mooney who started the day in imperious form, racing to a partnership of 58 with Woolvardt in particular playing some shots for the purists.

Dunkley's half-century continued a trend of England Women's players standing up to the big occasion in The Hundred, following her teammates Alice Capsey and Heather Knight – off the back of Head Coach Jon Lewis challenging his charges to dominate throughout the competition.