Despite Harry Brook’s record-breaking century, Welsh Fire’s eight-wicket win against Northern Superchargers keeps their eliminator hopes alive in The Hundred.
Scoring a dazzling 105 from 42 balls, Brook lacked backing as Superchargers managed 158-7, unable to secure victory.
Eskinazi’s fifty propelled Fire; Bairstow (44) and Clarke (42) sealed victory. Fire’s eliminator hopes depend on Manchester Originals defeating Southern Brave.
Having been excluded from England’s World Cup roster recently, Brook showcased a splendid solo performance, resuscitating the Superchargers’ innings. The initial overs were rocky, with Matthew Short, Tom Banton, and Adam Lyth dismissed within the first 20 balls, leaving the team at a struggling 10-3 after winning the toss. Brook and Adam Hose started with caution, but Brook’s momentum surged after Hose’s dismissal at the hands of David Payne after 33 balls. His resilience and explosive play marked a significant turnaround, allowing Superchargers to stage a recovery under Brook’s exceptional leadership amidst the early setbacks.
Displaying audacity, he ramped a fiery Lockie Ferguson bouncer for a six and drove Roelef van der Merwe straight for another massive hit. With partners dwindling, Brook faced adversity. Adil Rashid succumbed to the left-arm spinner, and David Wiese’s dismissal through a run-out by Tom Abell left the score at 92-7.
Undeterred, Brook pressed forward, reaching a half-century in 24 balls. He accelerated further, pummeling 19 off Luke Wells’ five deliveries. His blend of power and precision was evident, launching a six off Ferguson that hit the Sky Sports commentary pod. With 10 balls left, Brook stood at 76, but he stormed to a century with two more sixes and four fours in the final 10 balls. Momentum favored the hosts, yet Eskinazi shifted it. His two sixes from Reece Topley’s set were followed by a life when Topley and Potts misjudged a catch. Eskinazi capitalized, racing to 50 in 19 balls, Fire at 66-0 in 40 balls.
Rashid’s introduction slowed the pace, particularly for Bairstow, who scored only eight from 18 balls initially. Rashid’s pivotal moment came when he bowled Eskinazi for 58 from the 51st delivery, leaving Fire 82 runs shy of victory. Bairstow’s rhythm improved alongside new batter Clarke, both launching sixes off Wiese. Parkinson’s set turned sour with a Bairstow six followed by a no-ball yielding four runs. Fire seemed on course with 19 required from 20 balls, yet Brook shone once more with an exceptional boundary catch to dismiss Bairstow for 44. Clarke, however, steered his team home, notching 42 from 22 to sustain Fire’s aspirations.