The 2026 edition of The Hundred got off to an exciting start with an entertaining double-header at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on July 22. Fans witnessed two closely fought contests as Southern Brave Women defended their total to secure victory, while Welsh Fire Men produced a composed chase to begin their campaign with a six-wicket win.
This Southern Brave vs Welsh Fire review looks back at the biggest moments from both matches that opened another thrilling season of England’s 100 ball competition.
Southern Brave Women Hold Their Nerve
Southern Brave Women defeated Welsh Fire Women by eight runs after successfully defending a total of 126 for 7. It was a memorable start for new captain Sophie Molineux, who inspired her side with both leadership and an outstanding spell of bowling.
The Brave innings was built around a calm knock from South African batter Laura Wolvaardt, who remained unbeaten on 45 from 36 balls. Despite regular wickets falling at the other end, she kept the scoreboard moving and ensured her team posted a competitive total.
Welsh Fire’s Heather Graham was the standout bowler of the first innings. She produced an excellent spell of 4 wickets for 19 runs from her 20 balls, putting Southern Brave under pressure throughout the innings.
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During the chase, Welsh Fire appeared to be in complete control at 80 for 1 before the match turned dramatically. A brilliant direct hit run out from India’s Jemimah Rodrigues broke the important partnership and shifted the momentum back towards Southern Brave.
Captain Sophie Molineux then delivered the decisive spell, taking 3 wickets for just 14 runs. Her performance earned her the Player of the Match award as Welsh Fire finished on 118 for 8, falling eight runs short.
Welsh Fire Men Begin with Victory
Marco Jansen celebrates with Joe Root (Photo credit: Alex Broadway/ECB via Getty Images)
The men’s contest saw Welsh Fire defeat Southern Brave by six wickets with two balls remaining. It was a disciplined performance with both ball and bat as the visitors successfully chased 136.
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Southern Brave found scoring difficult early in their innings thanks to an excellent opening spell from Marco Jansen. The left arm fast bowler claimed 2 wickets for 17 runs from his 20 balls and prevented the home side from building momentum.
After the early setbacks, James Rew and David Miller rescued Southern Brave with valuable middle order contributions. Rew scored 41 from 30 balls, while Miller added 44 from 35 deliveries to help their side recover to 135 for 7.
Welsh Fire paced their chase smartly and never allowed the required rate to get out of control. Their middle order remained calm under pressure and guided the team home on the 98th ball to complete an impressive six wicket victory.
Southern Brave vs Welsh Fire Highlights
The biggest Southern Brave vs Welsh Fire highlights included Sophie Molineux’s match-winning spell, Heather Graham’s four-wicket haul, Jemimah Rodrigues’ crucial run-out, Marco Jansen’s disciplined bowling, and the composed knocks from David Miller and James Rew.
Overall, The Hundred Match report today shows exactly why the competition continues to entertain cricket fans. Southern Brave Women celebrated a hard-fought win after defending a modest score, while Welsh Fire Men made a confident start to their campaign with a clinical chase. The opening day delivered exciting cricket and set the stage for another competitive season of The Hundred.
