An Australian trio has helped the Welsh Fire secure their first victory of the Hundred tournament as the Cardiff-based franchise defeated the Manchester Originals by 25 runs at Sophia Gardens on Wednesday.
Chasing a 138-run target for victory, the Originals were rolled for 112 in 97 balls with Fire speedster Riley Meredith claiming career-best figures of 4-9 from 17 deliveries. The Tasmanian quick removed both Manchester openers during his opening burst, including rival captain Phil Salt, before returning to help clean up the tail at the death.
Meredith received support from spinner Chris Green, who was named player of the match after smacking a nine-ball 19 before holding onto two superb outfield catches and taking three wickets, including Originals wicketkeeper Jos Buttler (57 from 34 balls). The England white-ball captain’s dismissal prompted a frantic collapse of 6-9 from 17 deliveries.
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Earlier, opener Steve Smith top-scored for the Fire with a 22-ball 26, headlined by a stunning strike over point for six. The Australian was eventually dismissed by Ashes rival Josh Tongue, who finished with impressive figures of 3-25 from 20 balls.
“It was a lot of fun. The last two games here have been an amazing atmosphere. The support here in Cardiff has been fantastic and it was great to reward that support with a win here tonight,” Green said after the match.
“(Fire captain) Tommy Abell thought 130 was defendable, there was a bit of hold for the off-cutters for the seamers and a bit of hold for the spinners as well.
“Meredith was outstanding upfront and probably should be standing here because I thought he broke the game open. The energy we had and the support we had tonight got us over the line.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the Northern Superchargers sealed a dramatic three-wicket victory over the Southern Brave in Southampton after Graham Clark slapped the final delivery of the match for six.
With five runs needed off the last ball for an unlikely win, Clark swatted former England star Tymal Mills over cow corner to ensure the Superchargers reeled in the 140-run target. The right-hander finished unbeaten on 38 (24), while England paceman Jofra Archer claimed 2-15 from 20 balls during the run chase.
“That felt euphoric,” Clark later told Sky Sports.
“I thought I messed it up when I left the ball before, but it’s a good feeling to get over the line.”
Earlier, the Brave posted 5-139 courtesy of a 31-ball fifty from wicketkeeper Laurie Evans, with Supercharges seamer Jacob Duffy taking three wickets.
In the women’s competition, the Originals defeated the Fire by seven wickets in Cardiff and the Brave toppled the Superchargers by eight wickets in Southampton.
On Thursday, the London Spirit will host the Trent Rockets at Lord’s.