Bairstow hits fine 55 as Fire overcome Rockets
Jonny Bairstow hits 55 as Welsh Fire edge a four-run win over Trent Rockets in The Hundred’s men’s competition.
The Hundred men’s competition, Trent Bridge
Welsh Fire 129-6 (100 balls): Bairstow 55 (45); Cook 2-22
Trent Rockets 125-8 (100 balls): Hales 23 (16); Haris Rauf 2-15
Welsh Fire won by four runs
Welsh Fire held their nerve to beat Trent Rockets in a gripping encounter in The Hundred’s men’s competition.
Luke Wood could not get Haris Rauf away off the final ball of the Rockets innings as his side lost by just four runs.
Skilful bowling by Rauf and David Payne had claimed three wickets in three balls as the hosts chased a target of 130.
Sam Hain was stranded on 22 off 26 balls at the non-striker’s end as tailender Wood faced Rauf, having run a bye off the penultimate delivery that looked close to being a no-ball for height.
Fire posted 129-6 with England’s Jonny Bairstow hitting seven fours and a six for his top-scoring 55 off 45 deliveries.
Rockets were in the hunt, though, as opener Alex Hales hit two sixes in his 23, but Joe Root was run out for 17 to leave his side 69-3.
That dismissal proved pivotal as Rashid Khan was also run out after hitting a four and a six in a brief stay for 13.
But with Hain unable to find a boundary at the death, and crucially keep the strike, the Rockets missed the chance to return to the top of the table.
What else do you need to know?
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Welsh Fire claim second win of The Hundred following two straight defeats
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Trent Rockets are in third place as they miss the chance to return to top spot
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Sam Hain fails to hit a boundary in his unbeaten 22 and is involved in two run-outs
‘We were awesome at the close’ – what they said
Hero of the match Jonny Bairstow: “We have had a couple of close ones, it is that kind of competition. The way that our bowlers closed the game out, but also how Tom Abell captained, how he was brave at times, was awesome.
“If you can get two run-outs, it is always pretty handy. It is two wickets the bowlers don’t have to get, and the fielding was exemplary from all the boys. We spoke about relishing the challenge, stepping up, puffing our chests out and getting it together in a dogfight.
“I’m striking it like I strike it, so we will crack on and see what happens.”
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What is happening on Sunday?
There are four matches in The Hundred on Sunday.
London Spirit host Oval Invincibles (women’s at 11:00 BST, men’s at 14:30) at Lord’s while Northern Superchargers (women at 14:30 and men at 18:00) welcome Manchester Originals to Headingley.
You can follow commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.
You will also be able to watch Spirit v Invincibles in the men’s competition live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and via the BBC Sport website with coverage starting at 14:15.
