Phil Salt stood firm against a fierce spell from England’s quick Jofra Archer as the Welsh Fire captain steered his side to a six‑wicket triumph over the Southern Brave in The Hundred competition. The victory broke Fire’s eight‑match run of defeats at the hands of the Brave, and Salt’s calm finishing display proved decisive. Chasing a target of 135, the Fire found themselves in a tight spot with only 14 runs required from the final ten balls. Salt, batting alongside Asa Tribe, kept his composure and methodically reduced the deficit.
When the equation narrowed to four runs needed from the last three deliveries, Salt took the strike and, with a powerful sweep, dispatched Chris Jordan over the boundary for a six that sealed the win. Salt’s unbeaten 47 off 37 balls was the cornerstone of the chase. He arrived at the crease after the innings’ midpoint and quickly became the focal point of the run‑chase.
The partnership he built with Rachin Ravindra was particularly impactful – the two combined for 49 runs in just 27 balls, shifting the momentum firmly in Fire’s favour. Their collaboration was built on clear communication, aggressive shot selection and sharp running between the wickets, allowing them to exploit gaps in the Brave’s field placements. In post‑match comments to Sky Sports, Salt reflected on the challenging conditions, noting that the toss had worked in their favour and that the team had executed their plans well. “The conditions weren’t easy.
It was a good toss for us to win and chasing the target, we knew what it was,” he said. He praised the fielding effort, highlighting several spectacular catches and the overall electric atmosphere on the field.
“We were electric in the field. There was some real good catching on display. We got off the rope well today.
Bowling‑wise, we put the ball in the right areas. Did we do it for long enough?
Were we smart enough? That’s one for the coaches,” Salt added, acknowledging the role of the coaching staff in the strategic decisions. The Brave’s innings began cautiously.
Sam Cook opened the scoring with a quick three‑run boundary off Jamie Smith, but the early momentum was halted when Marco Jansen dismissed Ben McKinney for four. Thomas Rew (41) and David Miller (44) later steadied the Brave’s chase, providing a platform before Jansen struck again, removing Rew after a 30‑ball stay. A bizarre run‑out involving Jofra Archer added to the drama.
After Miller struck a ball to Jansen at cover, Archer attempted a single but was caught in a miscommunication with his partner, who turned back towards the wicket, resulting in Archer’s dismissal in a highly unusual fashion. After the fall of wickets, Salt and Matthew Short joined the batting line‑up. Short contributed a quick 20 before being caught at extra cover by Dan Worrall.
Worrall then returned to the crease, partnering with Jamie Smith to dismiss England legend Joe Root for 15. When Rachin Ravindra arrived, the Fire’s innings gathered pace.
The partnership between Ravindra and Salt was praised for its balance of aggression and composure. Ravindra told Sky Sports, “It’s great to play a role in a partnership.
Communication was key out there between us. Salty played well out there. It wasn’t such a free‑flowing T20 wicket as we’re used to seeing. He supported me greatly during that partnership, and it’s great to see the skipper finish it off at the end.” He added that Salt’s maturity and leadership helped keep the team focused ball after ball.
The win not only halted Fire’s losing streak but also demonstrated the depth of talent within the squad. Salt’s ability to finish games under pressure, combined with the supportive contributions from teammates like Ravindra, Short and Worrall, highlighted the team’s resilience.
Their fielding unit, which produced several high‑impact catches, further underscored the all‑round improvement. Looking ahead, the Hundred’s double‑header at Lord’s on Thursday will see London Spirit face Manchester Super Giants, with the women’s match kicking off at 2:45 pm and the men’s contest following at 6:30 pm. Both games will be streamed live on Sky Sports and YouTube, and fans can also watch the action contract‑free on the NOW platform.
Overall, Phil Salt’s unbeaten 47, his decisive six, and his steady leadership were instrumental in ending a difficult run of form for Welsh Fire. The victory provided a morale boost and a reminder that, even after a series of setbacks, a well‑executed plan and composure under pressure can turn the tide in The Hundred’s fast‑paced environment.