Sunrisers Leeds Defeat Welsh Fire, Keeping Knockout Hopes Alive
The Hundred women’s competition, Headingley
Welsh Fire 121-8 (100 balls): Kemp 72* (45); Sharma 3-13
Sunrisers Leeds 122-4 (74 balls): Litchfield 55 (25); Smale 2-23
Sunrisers Leeds won by six wickets
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Sunrisers Leeds strengthened their chances of reaching The Hundred’s knockout stage with a six-wicket victory against Welsh Fire.
Chasing a target of 122 runs, Sunrisers’ opener Phoebe Litchfield showcased her talent, scoring an impressive 55 from 25 deliveries, which laid the foundation for the essential win.
After this match, Sunrisers slid into fourth place in the standings with 16 points, just two points shy of the third-placed Manchester Super Giants, who they will face on Tuesday at Old Trafford in a critical match.
The defeat eliminated Welsh Fire from contention for the knockout phase, leaving them with one group stage match remaining.
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Litchfield’s performance was marked by aggressive batting as she scored runs across the field, turning the Fire’s bowling attack ineffective. Her innings included six fours and three sixes. After her dismissal—caught off Georgia Wareham’s bowling—Sunrisers needed only 31 runs from 48 balls.
Annabel Sutherland contributed with 28 runs off 18 balls, while Dani Gibson and Jess Jonassen secured the victory with 26 balls to spare.
“Our team is gaining momentum and things are starting to fall into place,” said Litchfield, who was awarded Player of the Match. “I’ve just focused on keeping it simple and watching the ball. Our bowlers set a strong foundation, allowing me the freedom to play without pressure.”
Earlier in the game, Welsh Fire managed to score 121-8 thanks to solid bowling from Sunrisers, led by Deepti Sharma, who took 3 wickets for just 13 runs. Hannah Baker also made a significant impact with two wickets for 15 runs.
Freya Kemp, the England all-rounder, was the standout performer for Fire, hitting an unbeaten 72 off 45 balls, including six boundaries and three sixes. However, her innings also included moments of luck as she survived three dropped catches, two by Sutherland and one by Cassidy McCarthy.
Phoebe Litchfield is the leading run-scorer in this year’s edition of The Hundred with 262 runs in seven innings at 43.66 [Getty Images]
What else is happening on Sunday?
In the men’s competition, Sunrisers and Fire remain in contention for the finals and are set to meet at 14:30 BST.
London Spirit will host Birmingham Phoenix at Lord’s, with the women’s match taking place at 14:30, followed by the men’s game at 18:00.
Fans can follow ball-by-ball commentary of all four matches on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website and app.
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The women’s and men’s matches between Spirit and Phoenix will be broadcast live on BBC Two and via iPlayer, with coverage commencing at 14:15.
The Hundred women’s competition, Headingley
Welsh Fire 121-8 (100 balls): Kemp 72* (45); Sharma 3-13
Sunrisers Leeds 122-4 (74 balls): Litchfield 55 (25); Smale 2-23
Sunrisers Leeds won six wickets
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Sunrisers Leeds kept their hopes of making The Hundred knockout phase alive with a six-wicket win over Welsh Fire, which simultaneously eliminated their opponents.
Set 122 for victory, Sunrisers opener Phoebe Litchfield delivered a stellar knock in the must-win encounter as she made a superb 55 off 25 balls to break the back of the chase.
Her side remain fourth in the standings but moved on to 16 points – two behind third-placed Manchester Super Giants.
The Super Giants host Sunrisers at Old Trafford on Tuesday with the victor progressing to the Eliminator.
However, Fire’s bid to finish in the top three was extinguished by the result, with one match of their group stage campaign left.
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Litchfield hit shots all round the 360 – cutting, pulling, driving and ramping a Fire attack which struggled to contain the Australian’s skill and aggression.
The opening batter’s knock featured six fours and three sixes and when she was eventually dismissed – caught via a leading edge off Georgia Wareham’s bowling – Sunrisers required 31 off 48 balls.
Annabel Sutherland’s 28 off 18 balls had Sunrisers within striking distance, before Dani Gibson and Jess Jonassen got them over the line with a mammoth 26 balls remaining.
“Our team is gaining momentum and things are starting to fall into place,” said Litchfield, who was named the player of the match.
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“I’ve just walked out and tried to keep it simple by watching the ball. Our bowlers set things up and I’ve had the freedom to play pressure free.”
Earlier, Fire had been restricted to 121-8 after a disciplined bowling performance by the Sunrisers.
Deepti Sharma was the pick of the home side’s attack with 3-13, while fellow spinner Hannah Baker took 2-15.
That Fire were able to post anything like a competitive target was largely due to an aggressive knock from Freya Kemp.
The England all-rounder used her leavers to good effect as she whacked an unbeaten 72 off 45 balls, including six fours and three sixes.
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There was an element of fortune, though, as Kemp benefited from some poor fielding from the Sunrisers.
She was dropped three times – twice by Sutherland and once by Cassidy McCarthy – as only she and Georgia Voll, with 16 off 18 balls, made double figures for Fire.
Phoebe Litchfield is the leading run-scorer in this year’s edition of The Hundred with 262 runs in seven innings at 43.66 [Getty Images]
What else is happening on Sunday?
In the men’s competition, Sunrisers and Fire remain in the hunt for the finals and face each other at 14:30 BST.
Elsewhere, London Spirit welcome Birmingham Phoenix to Lord’s, with the women’s game at 14:30, and the men’s at 18:00.
You can follow ball-by-ball commentary on all four matches on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.
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The women’s and men’s matches between Spirit and Phoenix will be shown live on BBC Two and via iPlayer with coverage starting at 14:15.
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