Summary

  • Use the audio icon at the top of the page to listen to BBC 5 Sports Extra commentary

  • Southern Brave win by two runs

  • Fire needed three from final ball but Mills dismisses Willey

  • Fire 145-6: Eskinazi 31 (18), Willey 31 (19); Mills 2-23

  • Brave 147-8: Jordan 70* (32); Rauf 3-27

  1. Brave 44-2published at 35 balls

    Roelof van der Merwe, who has played international cricket for both South Africa and the Netherlands, into the attack for Welsh Fire.

    A tight start from the left-arm spinner.

    He is a little short with his fourth ball to James Vince who rocks on to the back foot and punches it down the ground for a couple.

  2. Postpublished at 18:53 British Summer Time 4 August 2023

    Here's how Shaheen Afridi got rid of Devon Conway.

  3. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 29 balls

    c Clarke b Haris Rauf 22 (Brave 40-2)

    Almost a carbon copy dismissal to Shaheen Afridi's wicket.

    Haris Rauf bounces Finn Allen, who takes on the pull, and it goes off his glove to Brave wicketkeeper Joe Clarke who barely has to move.

  4. Brave 36-1published at 25 balls

    David Payne into the attack for Welsh Fire but Finn Allen takes a shine to him and twice smashes him to the boundary.

  5. Brave 26-1published at 20 balls

    A profitable set for James Vince as he scores three boundaries round the clock.

    Vince cuts, biffs and flicks David Willey for three fours.

  6. How's stat?!published at 18:42 British Summer Time 4 August 2023

    James VinceImage source, ECB

    Most people that follow cricket will know that James Vince has a weakness on his fifth and sixth stump.

    But, apart from that, there's no obvious weaknesses.

    According to CricViz data, in T20s he averages 31.07 against spin and 33.43 against pace. He strikes at 135 against both too.

    He averages 30-plus against each bowling type too.

    Good luck, Welsh Fire.

  7. Brave 14-1published at 15 balls

    Oooohhh, that's a beauty from Shaheen Afridi.

    He fizzes an angled delivery past that velvet drive of James Vince and the ball slaps into the gloves of Joe Clarke.

    That was sharp.

  8. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 12 balls

    Conway c Clarke b Shaheen Afridi 4 (Brave 14-1)

    Shaheen Afridi stands arms outstretched in celebration.

    Devon Conway attempts to pull an 88mph bouncer from the Pakistan left-armer but edges it through to the wicketekeeper Joe Clarke.

  9. Brave 12-0published at 10 balls

    David Willey with a gift for Finn Allen with his second delivery as he drops it too short and the Kiwi batter quickly picks up the length and pulls it to the fence for four.

  10. Brave 5-0published at 5 balls

    Pakistan left-arm quick bowler Shaheen Afridi, with his perfectly coiffeured hair, begins with a couple of full inswingers.

    His third delivery is a little too full and Finn Allen trashes it through the covers for four.

  11. Postpublished at 18:30 British Summer Time 4 August 2023

    Finn AllenImage source, PA Media

    Welsh Fire are out on the field while Kiwi duo Finn Allen and Devon Conway have bounded to the middle.

    We're moments away from the start at the Rose Bowl.

  12. Postpublished at 18:26 British Summer Time 4 August 2023

    The Rose BowlImage source, Getty Images

    The Rose Bowl was a fortress for Southern Brave in the first year of The Hundred as they won all four of their games there en route to winning the tournament.

    However, last year was a different story as they won two and lost two on their own patch. How crucial will home advantage be for the Brave's fortunes this time around?

  13. Teamspublished at 18:24 British Summer Time 4 August 2023

    Southern Brave: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), James Vince (c), Leus du Plooy, Tim David, James Fuller, George Garton, Chris Jordan, Rehan Ahmed, Craig Overton, Tymal Mills

    Welsh Fire: Tom Abell (c), Stevie Eskinazi, Glenn Phillips, Joe Clarke (wk), Luke Wells, Haris Rauf, David Payne, David Willey, Shaheen Afridi, Roelof van der Merwe, Ben Green

    Both teams are unchanged from their opening games.

  14. Postpublished at 18:22 British Summer Time 4 August 2023

    Southern Brave captain James Vince: "We'd have bowled first because of the potential dew too. The wicket shouldn't change too much over the evening.

    "We were reminded how important every ball is this competition. If you look back at the pieces you can pick up another four or five runs.

    "We'll have to sum it up early and feed back what we think is a good score."

  15. Postpublished at 18:20 British Summer Time 4 August 2023

    Welsh Fire captain Tom Abell: "It looks a good wicket. If there's any dew later on we think we might skid on a bit.

    "It was a good way to start The Hundred against Manchester Originals and it was nice to get off to a good start. We wanted to get an early win and the boys were fantastic.

    "Luke Wells and Shaheen Afridi were fantastic but I thought the whole bowling unit were outstanding."

  16. Welsh win toss and bowlpublished at 18:17 British Summer Time 4 August 2023

    Southern Brave skipper James Vince gave the coin a toss a little earlier and Welsh Fire captain Tom Abell called correctly.

    He has decided to bowl first.

  17. Welcome...published at 18:16 British Summer Time 4 August 2023

    Shaheen AfridiImage source, Getty Images

    After two dismal campaigns in which they finished second bottom and bottom in The Hundred things are looking up for fans of the Welsh Fire men's side.

    A Shaheen Afridi-inspired victory over Manchester Originals in their opening match - only their second-ever win in the tournament - has boosted confidence.

    Can they make it back-to-back victories?

    Welcome to our live text commentary of Southern Brave vs Welsh Fire from the Rose Bowl.