Last update on.Men's Hundred, Ageas Bowl and Southampton Welsh Fire 144-5 (100 balls);Banton 36 (20); Briggs 2--17 Southern Brave147-2 (87 balls:de Kock57 (32) Vince 53 (39) Southern Brave won with 8 wickets ScorecardQuinton de Kock and James Vince each earned half-centuries, leading Southern Brave to victory over Welsh Fire and to the top spot on the men's Hundred tables.Welsh Fire are now out of the competition after posting 144-5, which was described by Carlos Brathwaite, Manchester Originals' captain, on BBC Two as "par".The total was not difficult enough for the Brave, who won with eight wickets to spare and 13 balls to spare. De Kock led the way with 57 runs off 32 balls, Vince setting the tone with 53 off 39.The Star-studded Brave is finally finding their formMany people regarded Southern Brave as a pre-tournament favorite before The Hundred started.They lost their first two matches, and it seemed that they weren't performing despite having a lot of great players.They look now like serious contenders, and this win against the depleted Welsh Fire, their fifth consecutive victory, shows that they have all the bases covered.The consistency of the unbeatable pace pair of Chris Jordan & Tymal Mills was a highlight, as were wickets for Danny Briggs and Jake Lintott's canny spin and runs for their top three batters.Brave's women are now in the final. The men have climbed to the top and both teams have a good chance of making it all the way.Fire's brilliance was too much too late for Banton's brillianceFor a few years, Tom Banton has been considered one of England's most exciting young player. In the absence of Jonny Bairstow, Welsh Fire needed him as a replacement.The 22-year old has had a tough summer. After scoring a century in T20 Blast, he was called to England's white-ball team. He didn't play, and was then forced to isolate because some of his teammates tested positive for Covid-19.He may have been unable to bat as well and has not had the impact he hoped for in The Hundred.He joined the fight against Southern Brave and whacking an entertaining 36% from 20 balls, which included three sixes.Fire was too late.
