Northern Superchargers kept their hopes of reaching the Hundred eliminator
alive with a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Welsh Fire in Cardiff.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Fire limped to
114-4 with Ben Duckett top-scoring with 64 from 48 balls.
Adam Lyth then smashed 47 from 34 balls, with fellow
opener and captain Faf de Plessis adding 32 from 24 as Superchargers made light work of the run chase.
With victory inevitable, David Willey could even afford to score just one run from his first six balls before smashing a four off David Payne to seal the win with nine balls to spare.
The win means Northern Superchargers move up to sixth in the table and are
now one of four teams on six points. They will need to win their final game and
hope other results go their way if they are to reach the eliminator.
Welsh Fire’s miserable tournament continues as they sit rock
bottom with seven defeats from seven.
Here's what else happened:
It took 19 balls for Welsh Fire to hit their first four of the innings as they struggled to 22-1 during the powerplay.
Duckett put on 61 with Leus du Plooy to lead something of a
recovery after Fire were reduced to 53-4.
Lyth has now hit 19 sixes in seven innings so far this tournament,
four more than any other player.
Video content
Video caption: The Hundred: Massive shots, huge wickets and quick reflexes- Plays of the dayThe Hundred: Massive shots, huge wickets and quick reflexes- Plays of the day
What’s next?
Welsh Fire travel to Trent Rockets on Monday for their final
game of the competition (19:00 BST).
Northern Superchargers’ final group game is against Southern
Brave at Headingley on Wednesday (15:00).
Post update
Northern Superchargers captain Faf du Plessis speaking to Sky Sports: "It's always a little bit easier when you've got a tempo to go at.
"Lyth is in good form at the minute but it was probably better batting second and a really good chase in the end.
"He's just very clear in what he wants to do. He's got enough options to hit the ball to leg side or off-side.
"The chat between us was that in the first over to see what the pitch was like and when we got that information that's when Lyth went. Welsh Fire needed to take four or five wickets at the start to be in the game.
"I don't think there was that many fours or sixes because of the pitch but as professional cricketers you have adopt."
Superchargers gain precious points
The win puts the Superchargers on six points, a clutch of other teams are scrapping it out in the same position which means there really is everything to play for in the final few matches.
The battle for third place and a spot in the eliminator match really is hotting up.
BBC SportCopyright: BBC Sport
'We got the best of the conditions'
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Match hero Adam Lyth, who struck 47 off 34, speaking to Sky Sports: "I'm very pleased to get the win there. I'd like to have got a few more to help the team get over the line a bit quicker but I'm very happy with the win.
"I thought the bowlers were excellent. Then me and Faf [du Plussis] put on a good opening partnership and then the lads finished it off.
"There was a bit of dew [late on]. We definitely got the best of the conditions.
"It was nice to get the win and we've got one more game to go and hopefully we get the win."
Northern Superchargers win
It was a straightforward win for the Superchargers, the Fire innings never really ignited despite Duckett's best efforts, his 64 was in vain as a target of 115 never looked challenging.
In reply, Lyth set off like a train and his brisk 47 off 34 balls set up the win, he deservedly ends up as player of the match. A crucial win for the Superchargers in the context of the tournament.
Post update
Nikesh Rughani
BBC Radio
Victory finally for the Superchargers. As for the Welsh Fire the search for victory still goes on.
NORTHERN SUPERCHARGERS WIN BY SIX WICKETS
Willey eventually hits the winning runs, he cuts for four off Payne and that's the game!
Superchargers 112-4
Target 115
David Willey oddly blocks out most of the set and there are still three runs needed to win.
Superchargers 111-4
Target 115
It's Ball back on as the Superchargers are on the brink of victory.
Post update
Nikesh Rughani
BBC Radio
Critchley gets his man in the end! He's used the conditions today really well.
WICKET
Hose b Critchley 4 (Superchargers 111-4)
New batter Adam Hose reverse sweeps for four but is then bowled off his pads, bamboozled by Critchley's spin.
Four runs still needed to win.
WICKET
Wiese run out 13 (Superchargers 107-3)
A needless run out as Wiese is eager for a quick single which was never there. A consolation wicket for the Fire.
Superchargers 107-2
Target 115 (Brook 8, Wiese 13)
Just eight runs needed to secure the win and plenty of balls to get there. Critchley is back on for what could well be the last set of five.
Post update
Tom Abell
Somerset all-rounder on BBC radio
Welsh Fire have been inconsistent this year but you look at their team and think they should be higher up that ladder than they are.
Superchargers 104-2
Wiese pulls Payne for six, he clearly wants to finish things off in a hurry.
Post update
Tom Abell
Somerset all-rounder on BBC radio
Zero chance of a Welsh Fire win. The game drifted away in the power play and it's been Superchargers all day.
Post update
BBC SportCopyright: BBC Sport
Superchargers 98-2
Target 115
Both Brook and Wiese look to rotate the strike against Jake Ball, he's called for a no-ball based on height but there's no damage done as the next ball goes for a single.
17 more runs needed to win.
Post update
Nikesh Rughani
BBC Radio
As good as Superchargers have been that's as bad as Welsh Fire have been, that's fair to say.
Superchargers 92-2
Target 115 (Brook 6, Wiese 3)
The game is heading to an inevitable conclusion, there's a brief flutter due to a run out chance but the batter was well home.
Live Reporting
Tawhid Qureshi and Josef Rindl
All times stated are UK
-
It took 19 balls for Welsh Fire to hit their first four of the innings as they struggled to 22-1 during the powerplay.
-
Duckett put on 61 with Leus du Plooy to lead something of a
recovery after Fire were reduced to 53-4.
-
Lyth has now hit 19 sixes in seven innings so far this tournament,
four more than any other player.
Video caption: The Hundred: Massive shots, huge wickets and quick reflexes- Plays of the dayThe Hundred: Massive shots, huge wickets and quick reflexes- Plays of the day 
BBC SportCopyright: BBC Sport 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
BBC SportCopyright: BBC Sport 
Latest PostSuperchargers thrash winless Fire
Tom Mallows
BBC Sport cricket writer
Northern Superchargers kept their hopes of reaching the Hundred eliminator alive with a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Welsh Fire in Cardiff.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Fire limped to 114-4 with Ben Duckett top-scoring with 64 from 48 balls.
Adam Lyth then smashed 47 from 34 balls, with fellow opener and captain Faf de Plessis adding 32 from 24 as Superchargers made light work of the run chase.
With victory inevitable, David Willey could even afford to score just one run from his first six balls before smashing a four off David Payne to seal the win with nine balls to spare.
The win means Northern Superchargers move up to sixth in the table and are now one of four teams on six points. They will need to win their final game and hope other results go their way if they are to reach the eliminator.
Welsh Fire’s miserable tournament continues as they sit rock bottom with seven defeats from seven.
Here's what else happened:
Video content
What’s next?
Welsh Fire travel to Trent Rockets on Monday for their final game of the competition (19:00 BST).
Northern Superchargers’ final group game is against Southern Brave at Headingley on Wednesday (15:00).
Post update
Northern Superchargers captain Faf du Plessis speaking to Sky Sports: "It's always a little bit easier when you've got a tempo to go at.
"Lyth is in good form at the minute but it was probably better batting second and a really good chase in the end.
"He's just very clear in what he wants to do. He's got enough options to hit the ball to leg side or off-side.
"The chat between us was that in the first over to see what the pitch was like and when we got that information that's when Lyth went. Welsh Fire needed to take four or five wickets at the start to be in the game.
"I don't think there was that many fours or sixes because of the pitch but as professional cricketers you have adopt."
Superchargers gain precious points
The win puts the Superchargers on six points, a clutch of other teams are scrapping it out in the same position which means there really is everything to play for in the final few matches.
The battle for third place and a spot in the eliminator match really is hotting up.
'We got the best of the conditions'
Match hero Adam Lyth, who struck 47 off 34, speaking to Sky Sports: "I'm very pleased to get the win there. I'd like to have got a few more to help the team get over the line a bit quicker but I'm very happy with the win.
"I thought the bowlers were excellent. Then me and Faf [du Plussis] put on a good opening partnership and then the lads finished it off.
"There was a bit of dew [late on]. We definitely got the best of the conditions.
"It was nice to get the win and we've got one more game to go and hopefully we get the win."
Northern Superchargers win
It was a straightforward win for the Superchargers, the Fire innings never really ignited despite Duckett's best efforts, his 64 was in vain as a target of 115 never looked challenging.
In reply, Lyth set off like a train and his brisk 47 off 34 balls set up the win, he deservedly ends up as player of the match. A crucial win for the Superchargers in the context of the tournament.
Post update
Nikesh Rughani
BBC Radio
Victory finally for the Superchargers. As for the Welsh Fire the search for victory still goes on.
NORTHERN SUPERCHARGERS WIN BY SIX WICKETS
Willey eventually hits the winning runs, he cuts for four off Payne and that's the game!
Superchargers 112-4
Target 115
David Willey oddly blocks out most of the set and there are still three runs needed to win.
Superchargers 111-4
Target 115
It's Ball back on as the Superchargers are on the brink of victory.
Post update
Nikesh Rughani
BBC Radio
Critchley gets his man in the end! He's used the conditions today really well.
WICKET
Hose b Critchley 4 (Superchargers 111-4)
New batter Adam Hose reverse sweeps for four but is then bowled off his pads, bamboozled by Critchley's spin.
Four runs still needed to win.
WICKET
Wiese run out 13 (Superchargers 107-3)
A needless run out as Wiese is eager for a quick single which was never there. A consolation wicket for the Fire.
Superchargers 107-2
Target 115 (Brook 8, Wiese 13)
Just eight runs needed to secure the win and plenty of balls to get there. Critchley is back on for what could well be the last set of five.
Post update
Tom Abell
Somerset all-rounder on BBC radio
Welsh Fire have been inconsistent this year but you look at their team and think they should be higher up that ladder than they are.
Superchargers 104-2
Wiese pulls Payne for six, he clearly wants to finish things off in a hurry.
Post update
Tom Abell
Somerset all-rounder on BBC radio
Zero chance of a Welsh Fire win. The game drifted away in the power play and it's been Superchargers all day.
Post update
Superchargers 98-2
Target 115
Both Brook and Wiese look to rotate the strike against Jake Ball, he's called for a no-ball based on height but there's no damage done as the next ball goes for a single.
17 more runs needed to win.
Post update
Nikesh Rughani
BBC Radio
As good as Superchargers have been that's as bad as Welsh Fire have been, that's fair to say.
Superchargers 92-2
Target 115 (Brook 6, Wiese 3)
The game is heading to an inevitable conclusion, there's a brief flutter due to a run out chance but the batter was well home.