Summary

  • London Spirit needed 96 off 41 balls to reach eliminators and knock out Birmingham Phoenix

  • They were 63-3 after 41 balls; completed victory in 58 balls

  • Knight & Gibson both unbeaten on 34

  • Welsh Fire finish bottom

  1. Postpublished at 15:32 British Summer Time 18 August 2021

    Chris Green
    Middlesex all-rounder on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    I don't know what Lissy Macleod was trying to achieve from playing that shot. It was in the air but she didn't hit it hard enough to clear the fielder, it was just lofted straight to her.

  2. Postpublished at 15:32 British Summer Time 18 August 2021

    Aatif Nawaz
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    The pressure is really telling on Welsh Fire now. Are the Spirit on for an upset?

  3. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 15:32 British Summer Time 18 August 2021

    Macleod c Munro b Sharma 2

    Welsh Fire on the ropes here. Lissy Macleod gives her wicket away cheaply, as she chips one down the ground into the hands of Sophie Munro at long-on. A simple catch.

  4. Postpublished at 15:30 British Summer Time 18 August 2021

    Chris Green
    Middlesex all-rounder on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    A lot of these players didn't know each other before this tournament. It does make it difficult to find your best team and get into the best rhythm.

  5. Fire 47-3published at 43 balls

    Heather Knight is pumped up in search of wickets. Georgia Redmayne sweeps Deepti Sharma and it's in the air momentarily but plops into the turf at Sophia Gardens.

    A couple of balls later and Lissy Macleod chips one down the ground but it falls just short of the fielder.

  6. Postpublished at 15:27 British Summer Time 18 August 2021

    Aatif Nawaz
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    The crowd has gone very quiet!

  7. New batter: Lissy Macleodpublished at 15:27 British Summer Time 18 August 2021

    Alice MacleodImage source, BBC Sport
  8. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 15:26 British Summer Time 18 August 2021

    Luff c Beaumont b Gibson 0

    A golden duck for the Welsh Fire skipper! She chases a wide one from Danielle Gibson as she attempts to guide it through third man but it's a thick edge into the gloves of Tammy Beaumont.

    London Spirit have coming roaring back here and we've seen in the tournament so far that Welsh Fire are prone to collapsing.

  9. New batter: Sophie Luffpublished at 15:25 British Summer Time 18 August 2021

    Sophie LuffImage source, BBC Sport
  10. Postpublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 18 August 2021

    Chris Green
    Middlesex all-rounder on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    She'll be disappointed not to finish on a high, but Matthews is a class player and she's had a brilliant tournament.

  11. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 18 August 2021

    Matthews lbw b Sharma 7

    Hayley Mattews drags her heels as she walks back to the dugout. She's pinned plumb in front by Deepti Sharma, attempting to sweep. Matthews wants a review but that would have been a waste and is talked out of it.

  12. Postpublished at 15:23 British Summer Time 18 August 2021

    Aatif Nawaz
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Hayley Matthews is struggling with her timing at the moment.

  13. Fire 44-1published at 32 balls

    Was that dropped catch? Hayley Matthews toes one from Deepti Sharma and Danielle Gibson dives but is not quite able to get a hand on it.

  14. Postpublished at 15:22 British Summer Time 18 August 2021

    Chris Green
    Middlesex all-rounder on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Heather Knight has kept a few fielders in quite close. I like that, she's on the attack.

  15. Fire 42-1published at 30 balls

    Georgia Redmayne is oozing class. Heather Knight tosses one up and the Aussie sweeps her delicately through fine leg.

    Welsh Fire have poured cold water all over London Spirit's hopes of a qualifying for the eliminator so far.

  16. Postpublished at 15:19 British Summer Time 18 August 2021

    75 balls to goImage source, BBC Sport
  17. Not outpublished at 15:19 British Summer Time 18 August 2021

    A quick check of the video technology and Hayley Matthews is safe.

    Heather Knight to bowl next.

  18. Umpire reviewpublished at 25 balls

    The ball is drilled back at the stumps and a chance of a run out. Was Hayley Matthews behind the line at the non-striker's end?

  19. Postpublished at 15:17 British Summer Time 18 August 2021

    Aatif Nawaz
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    That was a lovely shot and well executed. Georgia Redmayne just leaned on it, a touch of class.

  20. Fire 35-1published at 24 balls

    Hayley Matthews pulls seamer Freya Davies through mid-wicket and gets Georgia Redmayne on strike.

    Davies off her opponent a short wide and Redmayne plays a classy back foot cut. Brilliant timing.