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Cartwright’s Blazing Knock and Archer’s Firepower Guide Southern Brave to Narrow Win Over Welsh Fire
Brave Edge Fire in Low-Scoring Thriller
Southern Brave kept their playoff hopes alive in The Hundred 2025 with a nail-biting 4-run victory over Welsh Fire at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. The visitors were rescued by Hilton Cartwright’s explosive 19-ball half-century, which transformed a struggling innings into a competitive total. Later, Jofra Archer’s three-wicket burst ensured Brave’s bowlers defended 129 with grit and discipline against a determined Fire chase.
Brave Struggle Before Cartwright’s Counterattack
Early Struggles for Brave Batters
Batting first on a tricky surface that kept bowlers interested throughout, Southern Brave were pushed onto the back foot. Skipper James Vince tried to stabilize the innings with a composed 29 off 26 balls, striking four crisp boundaries. However, regular wickets at the other end kept the Brave from gaining momentum.
Welsh Fire’s new-ball spearhead Matt Henry was virtually unplayable, bowling his full quota early to return sensational figures of 2 for 5 from 20 balls, including key early breakthroughs. With wickets tumbling, Brave found themselves reeling at 71 for 5.
Cartwright Turns the Game Around
Just when the innings seemed destined for mediocrity, Hilton Cartwright stepped up with a fearless counterattack. Using clean power-hitting, he smashed 3 fours and 5 sixes in his whirlwind 51 not out from 19 deliveries. His onslaught against the seamers not only lifted the scoring rate but also injected belief into his side. Thanks to Cartwright’s late fireworks, Brave crossed the 120-run mark – a total that looked far more challenging given the bowler-friendly conditions.
Fire Falter in Run Chase
Bairstow and Smith Provide Early Hope
Welsh Fire’s reply began with promise as Jonny Bairstow cracked 22 runs, including four boundaries and a towering six. Partnering him, Steve Smith looked fluent with three fours, and the home crowd sensed momentum. But that optimism was short-lived as Craig Overton dismissed Bairstow, followed by Archer’s brilliant spell that accounted for Smith and Luke Wells in quick succession.
Middle-Order Collapse Shifts Momentum
Despite a fighting stand of 32 runs between Saif Zaib and Tom Kohler-Cadmore, the Fire innings lost steam under scoreboard pressure. Brave’s bowlers, led by James Coles (2-10) and Overton, kept chipping away with timely strikes. Archer returned to cap off a memorable performance with 3 for 20, leaving Fire’s chase in disarray at 116 for 8 with just 8 balls remaining.
Final Over Drama
With 12 runs needed from the last 5 balls, Chris Jordan kept his composure and restricted the flow of boundaries. His disciplined bowling ensured Brave secured a thrilling win by 4 runs, pushing Fire further down the table with only one victory so far in the campaign.
Brave Rise in the Table, Fire Struggle at the Bottom
With this win, Southern Brave climbed into the mid-table mix with three wins from six matches, keeping their qualification hopes alive. For Welsh Fire, however, the defeat deepened their woes as they remained bottom of the standings, managing just one win in five outings.
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