Welsh Fire captain Beaumont says 2023 exit remains 'open wound'

Welsh Fire captain Tammy Beaumont says missing out on the final in last year’s edition of The Hundred remains “an open wound.”

Beaumont, 33, played a crucial role in a much-improved campaign as the Welsh franchise finished third to set up an eliminator tie against the Northern Superchargers.

But their bid to reach the final at Lord’s suffered a cruel blow with heavy rain resulting in the match being abandoned, allowing the Superchargers to advance.

“I’m still not over the washout in the eliminator, but those things happen and we can’t do too much about it,” Beaumont said.

“I think that’s one that’s just always going to be an open wound. If you’re beaten by a better team or you’re beaten because you didn’t play well enough, you can take the lessons, close it up and move on, but there’s always those what ifs.

“At the beginning of the season, if you would have told me that we’d have gotten to the eliminators and come third, I probably would have taken it, so it’s swings and roundabouts.”

Welsh Fire's opening 2024 fixture is at Manchester Originals on Thursday, 25 July, with their first home game, against Oval Invincibles, on Sunday, 28 July.

After the disappointment of missing out on the 2023 final, the side will be aiming to take that extra step in this campaign.

“I certainly think last year adds to our determination,” Beaumont added.

“We’ve kept such a core group, only four new faces this year, so a lot of players are coming back with a lot of familiar feelings of Sophia Gardens and what Welsh Fire are about. It’s certainly something to spur us on for this season.

“I was really proud of how both the women and the men really turned the franchise around and it was a statement season to say that Welsh Fire are no longer to be underestimated.”

Welsh Fire have added Australian international bowler Jess Jonassen to their ranks as an overseas player ahead of the 2024 competition.

Phoebe Franklin, Beth Langston and Georgia Davis are also among the new faces.

Along with Beaumont, key players such as overseas duo Hayley Matthews and Shabnim Ismail return to the Welsh capital.

“It’s an amazing group,” Beaumont said. “We’re always so excited to come back and get involved with the girls. It’s a place where everyone can just be themselves and relax. There’s a real family atmosphere.

“I love it at Sophia Gardens. The crowd are so engaged in the game and love the underdog spirit. It’s a great place to play, especially when the sun is out.

“The fans have stuck with us through a pretty tough start for us in The Hundred, but hopefully last year, we repaid them and this year, we’re hoping to grow the game even more, get more people involved and have a real feel-good summer for the Welsh Fire fans.”