Phil Salt stood firm against a barrage of fast bowling from England’s Jofra Archer as the Welsh Fire captain steered his side to a dramatic six‑wicket triumph over the Southern Brave in The Hundred. The victory was particularly sweet because it halted Fire’s eight‑match losing streak against the Brave, and Salt’s composure in the closing stages proved decisive. Chasing a target of 135, the Fire found themselves in a tight spot with just ten balls left and 14 runs required. Phil Salt, partnered by Asa Tribe, showed nerves of steel, methodically reducing the deficit.
The tension peaked when Salt was on strike with only four runs needed from the final three balls. He responded with a sweeping stroke that sent Chris Jordan soaring over the boundary for a six, sealing the win for his team. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Salt reflected on the conditions and the team’s performance: "The conditions weren't easy.
It was a good toss for us to win and chasing the target, we knew what it was. 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." His comments highlighted the collective effort, from fielding brilliance to disciplined bowling.
The innings began slowly for the Brave. Sam Cook opened the scoring by dismissing Jamie Smith for three runs, and Marco Jansen quickly followed by removing Ben McKinney for a modest four. The early wickets kept the Brave under pressure, but Thomas Rew (41) and David Miller (44) steadied the ship, building a partnership that gave the Brave some breathing room. Jansen, however, struck back with his second wicket of the match, dismissing Rew after just 30 deliveries.
A bizarre moment unfolded when Jofra Archer, having come to the crease, was run out in an unusual fashion. Miller had struck the ball to Jansen at cover, and Archer attempted a single.
In a miscommunication, his batting partner turned in a full circle at the crease, causing Archer to be run out. The incident underscored the importance of clear communication between partners, a theme that would reappear later in the game. After the interruption, Salt and Matthew Short joined the batting lineup.
Short contributed a quick 20 before being caught at extra cover by Dan Worrall. Worrall then returned to the field, teaming up with Smith to dismiss England legend Joe Root for 15 runs, further destabilising the Brave’s chase.
The turning point arrived when Rachin Ravindra took the crease. He and Salt forged a powerful partnership, adding 49 runs off just 27 balls. Their aggressive approach, rotating the strike and finding gaps, shifted momentum back to the Fire.
Ravindra praised Salt’s leadership, saying, "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. We’re all used to seeing that free‑flowing Phil Salt, aren’t we?
The comms were mostly just about hitting good cricket shots, trusting our positions, hitting the gaps hard and running hard, and the boundaries would come. Salty is such a special player but showed his maturity and leadership to keep us accountable ball after ball." The final overs saw Salt maintain his composure, guiding the Fire to the required total.
His unbeaten 47 off 37 balls not only secured the win but also demonstrated his ability to thrive under pressure. The six‑wicket victory broke the long‑standing losing streak against the Brave and gave the Fire a much‑needed confidence boost heading into the remainder of the tournament. Looking ahead, the next Hundred double‑header will be played at Lord’s, with London Spirit facing Manchester Super Giants.
The women's match starts at 2:45 pm, followed by the men's fixture at 6:30 pm. Both games will be streamed live on Sky Sports and YouTube, and fans can also watch The Hundred and other contract‑free cricket on the NOW platform.
This upcoming schedule promises more high‑octane action as teams vie for crucial points in the competition. Overall, Salt’s performance encapsulated the essence of modern limited‑overs cricket: adaptability, strategic shot‑selection, and decisive leadership. By navigating a challenging chase, handling a high‑quality bowling attack, and delivering a match‑winning six, he not only ended a losing streak but also reinforced his reputation as a pivotal player for Welsh Fire. The win serves as a reminder that even after a series of defeats, a single outstanding innings can turn the tide and reignite a team’s campaign.