91Èȱ¬

Callum Matthews
91Èȱ¬ Sport cricket writer

Defending champions Southern Brave completed an empathetic nine-wicket win as they cruised past a woeful Welsh Fire with 18 balls to spare.

With Brave chasing 130 to win, Paul Stirling, playing his first game of this year's competition, finished unbeaten on 74 off 42 balls, while Quinton de Kock made a run-a-ball 37.

They had looked set to complete the first 10-wicket victory in the men's Hundred but De Kock slashed to cover with Brave needing nine to win.

Earlier, Fire made 129-8, with Leus du Plooy making 37 and Matt Critchley an unbeaten 32 off 19 balls.

They had been reduced to 1-3 off seven balls with George Garton having Jacob Bethell caught behind before bowling Josh Cobb with a perfect inswinging yorker and then Ben Duckett nicked behind.

They looked in real danger of recording the lowest ever score, which is 87 by Birmingham Phoenix, but Critchley's knock gave Fire some momentum, with 47 coming off the last 20 balls.

The victory keeps Brave's slim hopes of qualifying alive but Fire are now unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Here's what else happened:

• Not much, to be honest.
• Stirling and De Kock's partnership of 121 was the second-highest in the history of the men's Hundred.
• James Fuller also claimed 2-31, while left-arm spinner Jake Lintott was impressive in taking 1-17.

What's next?

Welsh Fire are in action again on Wednesday when they travel to Lord's to face London Spirit (15:00 BST) - that game is also live across the 91Èȱ¬.

Southern Brave then host Trent Rockets on Thursday, with that game starting at 15:30 because of the England-South Africa men's Test match.

Tuesday sees Oval Invincibles host Birmingham Phoenix. The women's game is live on 91Èȱ¬ iPlayer and the 91Èȱ¬ Sport website and app from 15:00, before the men's match at 18:30.

Welsh Fire skipper Josh Cobb speaking to 91Èȱ¬ Two: "Ultimately, George Garton's spell at the top blew us away. I think we did well to get to 130. We needed to get a good start with the ball but that didn't happen. We came out second in a two-horse race.

"It takes one guy to go out and put a match-winning performance to get momentum back our way. I think we'll be happy if we get two wins from our next three games. The guys are obviously hurting out there and at the end of the day, we are professionals that want to win games of cricket. But we've got match winners in there and it takes just one guy to turn things around."

Jake Lintott speaking to 91Èȱ¬ Two: "It's great to get the win but it was something we were looking to find earlier. There's still belief, we just have to make sure we try and win both our remaining games in a convincing manner.

"He's [Stirling] a pleasure to have around and is a great asset to any franchise.

"We can take loads from it. Good to get the win. Need to win the next two as convincingly as we can."

George Garton speaking to 91Èȱ¬ Two: "I think I'm now the only bowler from last year so there's some added responsibility.

"At the start you just have to get the stumps in play and see how much it's swinging. I was happy with how I started, you have to keep the stumps in play and if it's swinging like that, you're in the game. I wanted to just go out there and express myself and just wanted to have a bit of fun.

On long Covid: "It's been pretty tough, especially at the start of the summer. I thought I was through it, it's been about seven months now, but clearly it is still playing tricks a little bit. I definitely feel much better but it is just managing workloads, managing how much I do in training and making sure I'm coming in and feeling 100% for the game. But mainly just breathing techniques and learning how to breath again has been a big thing this summer and making sure I'm sleeping enough as well."

Match Hero George Garton to Sky Sports: "They were difficult conditions and we had to make the most of it and I think we did.

"I'm not 100% - I had to go off as long Covid got me a bit today. But I am happy to swing some up top. I actually felt my pace was down a bit today but I went for a bit more accuracy and swing. If I see the balls swinging up top I feel it's important to be accurate more than quick.

"We have a different bowling attack with no CJ (Chris Jordan) and Tymal Mills but the tactics of the game are still the same. Be aggressive and try and set the game up and tonight it came off."

On Paul Stirling's performance: "We love Stirlo, both on and off the pitch and tonight he showed how good he is. We missed him in the first bit (of the competition)."

On Brave's eliminator chances: "You just have to take each game as it comes. Every game is a must win as it takes a lot of things out of the equation. You just have to go out and win. We won eight in a row last year so why not again?"

Let's get some reaction from Southern Brave's star bowler George Garton...

Carlos Brathwaite
West Indies all-rounder on 91Èȱ¬ radio

That innings from Stirling was exactly what the Brave needed. You never want to be behind in a small chase. You always want to be proactive and get ahead of the game.

Isa Guha
Former England bowler on 91Èȱ¬ Test Match Special

It was an absolute hammering and an ice cool chase to put out the Fire.

So, that's the end of Welsh Fire's chances of progression in the men's Hundred.

They remain without a win or point after five games.

Victory gives defending champions Southern Brave a lifeline after their own underwhelming start.

But they will still need to win their final two matches to have a chance of finishing in the top three to make the knockout stages.

Image source, 91Èȱ¬ Sport

Lydia Greenway
Former England batter on 91Èȱ¬ Two

Clinical win for the Southern Brave. It started with the ball, George Garton was sensational taking all those wickets with the new ball. Then there was Stirling coming in and playing that incredible innings.

Tim David seals victory in style with a big pull deep to square leg that squeezes through a fielder's low dive.

But it was Paul Stirling who was the hero of the Brave batting effort, his unbeaten 74 off 42 balls leading the visitors to victory with 18 balls to spare.

A trouncing really.

Paul Stirling tucks away a single to move to 74.

Alison Mitchell
91Èȱ¬ Radio commentator

Brink of victory now for Southern Brave.

New man in, Tim David, has no chill.

He cannot let Welsh Fire bask in that wicket.

Almost hits a four first ball, does hit one second ball.

Three runs needed off 20 balls.

Alison Mitchell
91Èȱ¬ Radio commentator

No 10-wicket victory for the Southern Brave. That's one record that won't go tonight.

But that was still the second highest partnership for any wicket in The Hundred.

One-sided.

David Miller on the player mic: "Aaargh"

Just as I say that, Paul Stirling goes big - and David Miller, on player mic, dives for it near the boundary one-handed but can only help it on its way.