In a heart-stopping encounter that had cricket fans on the edge of their seats, Welsh Fire emerged triumphant over Birmingham Phoenix in the 14th match of The Hundred Women 2023. The match will be remembered for the extraordinary performance of Shabnim Ismail, whose hat-trick secured a thrilling win for Welsh Fire.
After being asked to bat first, Welsh Fire managed to put up a challenging total of 137/7 off 100 balls. Tammy Beaumont emerged as the standout performer with her explosive batting display. Beaumont’s remarkable innings of 59 runs from 40 deliveries, including 9 boundaries and a towering six, formed the backbone of Welsh Fire’s innings.
Chasing the target, Birmingham Phoenix exhibited resilience and determination. Amy Jones and Tess Flintoff displayed exceptional batting prowess, steering their team closer to victory. The match reached a tantalizing juncture as Phoenix inched closer to the required total.
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Shabnim Ismail’s heroic hat-trick seals the deal for Welsh Fire
However, the defining moment of the match arrived when Shabnim Ismail, the experienced pacer of Welsh Fire, showcased her bowling prowess. Tasked with defending a modest target, Ismail faced a daunting challenge. But in an electrifying display of skill, Ismail executed a sensational hat-trick that left the cricketing world in awe.
The first ball of her final set saw Amy Jones sending the ball toward midwicket for a single. With two set batters, Tess Flintoff and Amy Jones, Birmingham Phoenix seemed poised for victory. Undeterred by the pressure, Ismail made a game-changing decision. A perfectly executed delivery shattered the stumps of Flintoff, who had been a dominant force in the match.
Next up was Erin Burns, who felt the mounting pressure. Ismail’s wide-angle delivery deceived Burns, resulting in a thick outside edge that was expertly caught by Claire Nicholas at short third. With just one ball left and three runs needed, Ismail showcased her expertise by targeting the off stump. Issy Wong‘s attempt to strike an off-side shot failed, leading to a triumphant bull’s-eye for Ismail and securing an unforgettable victory for Welsh Fire.
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Here is the video:
https://twitter.com/thehundred/status/1689686996875112448
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
