Brave fightback against Fire to make winning start

Southern Brave began their Hundred women's campaign with a dramatic eight-run victory against Welsh Fire, staging a remarkable comeback at the Utilita Bowl.

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produced a remarkable fightback to begin their Hundred campaign with a hard-fought eight-run win

The home side struggled initially, finishing on 126-7 after being put in to bat. Opener Lizelle Lee contributed 30 runs, while Laura Wolvaardt anchored the innings with an unbeaten 45. However, Heather Graham's impressive 4-19 with the ball limited Brave's scoring potential.

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Fire were on course for a comfortable victory after reaching 109-3 in their chase of 127, with opener Georgia Voll in good nick and unbeaten on a half-century.

Welsh Fire appeared to be cruising towards victory, reaching 109-3 with Georgia Voll on 52. But an 18-year-old spinner, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, took Voll's crucial wicket, igniting a collapse. The visitors lost five wickets for just six runs in a swift turnaround. Bowlers Lauren Bell and captain Sophie Molineux, who finished with 3-14, then sealed the win for Southern Brave.

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But 18-year-old left-arm spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman sent back the Australian batter for 52 and sparked a dramatic collapse as the visitors lost five wickets in the space of just six runs and 14 balls.

This victory marks a positive start for Southern Brave, who have reached five finals and won the competition in 2023. Welsh Fire, who invested heavily in their squad, including a joint-high fee for captain Sophie Devine, will need to regroup quickly after finishing last season with only one win.

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A Brave win had seemed unlikely for much of the evening after a sloppy fielding display in which they dropped a string of catches, including that of Voll in Bell's opening set.