Fire beat the Rockets in Cardiff
Tammy Beaumont is absolutely on Fire this summer! She smashed a mind-blowing 118 runs off 61 balls, setting a new record and keeping the Welsh Fire’s campaign burning bright at Sophia Gardens. The Trent Rockets didn’t stand a chance against her incredible performance as the Fire won by 41 runs.
But this is just the latest in a series of outstanding achievements for Beaumont. She already hit a double hundred (208) in the Ashes Test at Trent Bridge, and she’s been racking up runs left, right and centre for The Blaze and Welsh Fire in the Hundred. She’s truly leading the charge in the Welsh Fire’s remarkable revival.
Beaumont has always been a player who can reinvent herself. In fact, there was a time when she considered walking away from the sport. But thanks to Mark Robinson, who recognized her talent, Beaumont became integral to the 2017 World Cup-winning side. She even finished as the top scorer with a whopping 410 runs.
Unfortunately, Beaumont lost her spot in the England T20 side due to the emergence of younger players and the rise of competitions like the Hundred. But that hasn’t fazed her one bit. She’s come back this season in top form, reminding everyone why she’s one of the best in the world.
Her batting has become more stable, and when she pulls off those incredible scoop shots, there’s less risk involved. Of course, that doesn’t mean this performance was flawless. Beaumont got a lucky break when Jo Gardner dropped her on 32.
Teaming up with Sophia Dunkley, Beaumont added a fantastic 81 runs to the score. Unfortunately, Dunkley was dismissed for a quickfire 24 off 18 balls, although Hawkeye suggested it was worth a review. But Dunkley’s innings showed great promise, building on her fifty against the Southern Brave on Saturday.
The Welsh Fire didn’t let up for a moment. Sarah Bryce and Beaumont kept the pressure on, smashing the ball around the ground.
The pair, who play regional cricket, smashed Fire to a record 181 for three. They added 100 runs from just 54 balls, Bryce contributing 31 of those from 20 balls.
A strong start from Trent Rockets’ top order was needed, and there were glimpses of the Lizelle Lee of old as she scored 26 from 24 balls. Bryony Smith, her opening partner, was the star of the Rockets’ innings with a 21-ball 48, and it took a low catch on the boundary to dismiss her.
Dunkley also pulled off another impressive catch from her bowling to send Nat Sciver-Brunt for ten, and the Rockets were all but out of the running.
Harmanpreet Kaur couldn’t raise the tempo, and the game petered out as the result was inevitable. This defeat virtually ends Trent Rockets’ hopes of advancing in this year’s competition, while Welsh Fire will feel they can beat anyone on their day.
