Key Points
- Welsh Fire won both men’s and women’s matches against Southern Brave at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.
- Heather Graham struck the winning runs off the final delivery in the women’s game after also taking two wickets.
- Southern Brave women were dismissed for 121 for 5, and Welsh Fire women chased 122 for 6 at the last ball.
- In the men’s match, Matt Short returned to the side and made an unbeaten 60 off 41 balls.
- Welsh Fire men chased 116 for 4, finishing on 116 for 4 with five balls to spare.
- Southern Brave men posted 115 for 8, with Marcus Stoinis top-scoring with 55.
- The result ended Southern Brave’s unbeaten run in the competition and lifted Welsh Fire’s momentum in both contests.
- Welsh Fire women moved up to fourth after the win, while the men stayed in touch at the top of the table.
Cardiff (Cardiff Daily) August 4, 2026 — Welsh Fire completed a double over Southern Brave at Sophia Gardens on Monday, with Heather Graham deciding the women’s match from the final ball and Matt Short leading the men’s chase with an unbeaten half-century.
How did the women’s match finish?
Heather Graham was the decisive player for Welsh Fire women, taking 2 for 23 and then finishing 35 not out from 28 balls to guide the chase. She dismissed Laura Wolvaardt for 48 and Jemimah Rodrigues for 25, breaking a partnership that had been rebuilding Southern Brave’s innings after a slow start.
Southern Brave women reached 121 for 5, but Welsh Fire held their nerve to get to 122 for 6 at the final ball. The chase should not have gone to the last delivery because Lizelle Lee had Graham short of her ground and dropped the ball, which turned what might have been a run-out into the chance for Graham to hit the winning run through the infield. Georgia Wareham also contributed in the field with three catches and a direct-hit run-out of Sophie Molineux.
Why was Graham so important?
Graham influenced the game with both ball and bat. Her bowling removed the two batters most likely to push Southern Brave to a stronger total, and her late batting made sure Welsh Fire converted the advantage.
How did the men’s match unfold?
In the men’s game, Matt Short returned after missing Welsh Fire’s win over Birmingham Phoenix and played the anchor role in the chase. He finished 60 not out from 41 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes, while also taking 2 for 13, including the wicket of David Miller.
Southern Brave men were held to 115 for 8, with Marcus Stoinis making 55 from 39 balls as the main resistance. Welsh Fire reached 116 for 4, and the chase was helped by Short and Joe Root adding 56 for the second wicket, taking much of the pressure out of the pursuit early on. The surface at Sophia Gardens offered seam movement, and Short described it as “spicy”.
What did Root and Short add?
Welsh Fire’s wider control in the chase was highlighted by Root and Short building a decisive partnership during the innings. In this match, Short’s unbeaten 60 was the key innings that finished the job.
What does the result mean?
Southern Brave’s women had been unbeaten before this defeat, so the loss was significant in ending that run. Welsh Fire women climbed to fourth, while the men’s result kept Welsh Fire in the hunt near the top of the table after another composed chase.
The double win also mattered because it came in different styles: one game went to the final ball, while the other was controlled more steadily. That combination underlined Welsh Fire’s ability to win tight contests and also manage a chase without panic.
Background of the development
Welsh Fire and Southern Brave are both part of The Hundred, where short matches and quick momentum swings can change a team’s position rapidly. Cardiff has been an important venue for Welsh Fire, and the side’s men and women both made strong use of home conditions in this double-header.
The men’s side had already shown signs of improvement in recent matches, with Root and Short among the central figures in their batting plans. The women’s side, meanwhile, found a winning formula through Graham’s all-round contribution and a fielding effort that stayed sharp at the end.
Prediction
For Welsh Fire supporters, this result suggests the team may be building a more settled identity, especially if its leading players continue contributing in both innings and under pressure. If the women can repeat their finishing discipline and the men maintain their chase control, Welsh Fire could stay competitive deeper into the tournament.
For Southern Brave fans, the main concern is that one defeat can expose how dependent the side is on key partnerships and late overs. If they do not recover quickly, the loss of an unbeaten record could affect confidence and tighten the race at the top of the table.
