Postpublished at 13:05 British Summer Time 31 July 2021
Harry Gurney
Ex-England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
What a classy stroke to bring up the half-century.
Summary
Matthews stars in Fire's run chase
Originals 120-6 - Ecclestone 31 off 15
Fire register first win, but Originals still winless
Postpublished at 13:05 British Summer Time 31 July 2021
50 for Matthewspublished at 13:05 British Summer Time 31 July 2021
A fine knock by Hayley Matthews who brings up her half-century with a push through the covers.
Welsh Fire are cruising here.
Fire 82-1published at 42 balls left
A run out chance for Manchester Originals. Hayley Matthews pings one through point and decides to come back for the second.
She dives to make her ground.
Fire 79-1published at 45 balls left
Tidy stuff from Sophie Ecclestone but the Fire batters seem content to rotate the strike, milking the ones and twos. Risk-averse cricket.
Postpublished at 13:01 British Summer Time 31 July 2021
Kate Cross going for broke by bringing Sophie Ecclestone back into the attack.
Postpublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 31 July 2021
Image source, BBC SportPostpublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 31 July 2021
If you need to knock off a lowish total, it always helps to have Hayley Matthews at the top of your batting order...
Postpublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 31 July 2021
This worm underlines how one-sided this match has been.
Fire 73-1published at 50 balls left
Alex Hartley offers too much width and Hayley Matthews lofts it over cover. Four more to the total.
Fire 67-1published at 54 balls left
The Originals turn to Alex Hartley's left-arm spin, but she drops it a little short. Hayley Matthews rocks back and ruthlessly pulls it for four despite the despairing dive of the fielder on the boundary.
This is looking a match-defining knock from Matthews.
Postpublished at 12:57 British Summer Time 31 July 2021
The Fire looking well placed as the Originals call a strategic timeout.
Image source, PA MediaPostpublished at 12:56 British Summer Time 31 July 2021
Scott Read
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraThat was a beautiful shot - and she held the pose too. What a shot!
Postpublished at 12:56 British Summer Time 31 July 2021
Harry Gurney
Ex-England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraThere's something special about a lofted drive for six.
Fire 63-1published at 55 bals left
Hayley Matthews with a brilliant lofted drive off Laura Jackson for six! She holds the pose for the snappers too. Glorious.
Postpublished at 12:53 British Summer Time 31 July 2021
Harry Gurney
Ex-England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraIt is a no ball, unfortunately. That's two runs to the score, an extra delivery and a free hit! It's a knowledgeable crowd - nobody cheered that wicket off the free hit, which is strange.
Postpublished at 12:53 British Summer Time 31 July 2021
Scott Read
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraOh... blimey!
Fire 51-1published at 59 balls left
Georgia Redmayne latches on to a wide full toss from Laura Jackson and a brilliant diving catch from Mignon du Preez! But wait, it's called a no ball.
Free hit and an extra run to Fire instead.
Fire 48-1published at 60 balls left
Georgia Redmayne goes a sweep and is struck on the pad. A big appeal from Alex Hartley but the decision is not out.
A ball later and Cordelia Griffith with a brilliant dive on the boundary to save a four.
Fire 44-1published at 65 balls left
Kate Cross with a tight set, just three taken from it. She toys with bowling with the second set of five but in the end turns to Alex Hartley.
Postpublished at 12:46 British Summer Time 31 July 2021
Sophie Ecclestone said at the interval this was a pretty good pitch and Welsh Fire certainly look pretty comfortable so far.