Heather Graham stars as Welsh Fire stun unbeaten Southern Brave in last-ball thriller

Fire end Brave’s perfect run with dramatic Cardiff victory

Welsh Fire produced one of the biggest surprises of The Hundred 2026 by defeating unbeaten table-toppers Southern Brave in a thrilling last-ball finish in Cardiff.

The victory ended Southern Brave’s perfect start to the tournament and kept Welsh Fire’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive after a difficult run of form.

With captain Sophie Devine ruled out for the rest of the competition due to a calf injury and two consecutive defeats behind them, Welsh Fire desperately needed a response. They delivered one of the most dramatic wins of the season thanks to brilliant late contributions from Heather Graham and Niamh Holland.

Brave struggle with the bat but remain competitive

After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Southern Brave struggled to find their usual rhythm.

The opening pair fell quickly, and although Laura Wolvaardt and Jemimah Rodrigues attempted to rebuild the innings, the turning Cardiff pitch made scoring difficult.

Brave eventually posted 121-5, a total that appeared below their usual standards but still gave them confidence because of their powerful bowling attack.

The defending champions had previously built their success around their bowlers, regularly defending modest totals and making life difficult for opponents.

Welsh Fire fight back despite pressure

The chase began badly for Welsh Fire as Southern Brave’s bowlers immediately created pressure.

Young spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman made a major impact, dismissing leading run-scorer Georgia Voll before stumping Ella McCaughan.

Brave continued to squeeze the Fire batting lineup, with Issy Wong and Lauren Bell creating problems through accurate bowling.

At one stage, Welsh Fire needed 52 runs from 38 balls, and the match appeared to be slipping away.

However, debutant Grace Thompson changed the momentum with a crucial six and four before being dismissed, giving her team renewed hope.

Graham and Holland deliver unforgettable finish

The match came down to the final moments, where Heather Graham and Niamh Holland produced a sensational rescue effort.

Holland showed remarkable composure under pressure, hitting boundaries and helping reduce the target. With just three runs needed from two balls, the game went down to the final delivery.

Southern Brave had a chance to run out Graham, but Lizelle Lee missed the opportunity, leaving Welsh Fire needing only one run.

Graham calmly struck the final ball through the infield to complete an incredible victory and spark celebrations among the Fire players.

Named Match Hero, Graham praised her teammate Holland for her role in the dramatic finish.

“For Niamh to come in at the end, run really well with me, and get a few boundaries away herself; the win is more for those guys than me,” she said.

A major boost for Welsh Fire

The victory gives Welsh Fire a much-needed confidence boost after recent struggles, while Southern Brave will need to recover quickly after suffering their first defeat of the 2026 tournament.

With qualification places still up for grabs, the final stages of The Hundred promise more drama as teams battle for a place in the August 16 finals.