Litchfield turns the chase into a procession
Welsh Fire never stood a chance once Phoebe Litchfield got going. The Australia left-hander smashed 55 off 23 balls at Headingley on Sunday, three of them sailing over the rope, and Sunrisers Leeds hunted down their target with 26 balls to spare. A six-wicket win, Welsh Fire out of the women’s competition, and Sunrisers still breathing in the race for the eliminator.
The chase was a formality almost from the first ball. Litchfield picked up where she left off against Birmingham Phoenix on Friday, finding the boundary at will. By the time she fell, Sunrisers had 92 on the board off 52 balls and the outcome was settled. Annabel Sutherland, twice dropped earlier when she had the ball in hand, made her point with an 18-ball 28 before skipper Dani Gibson and Jess Jonassen finished the job.
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Kemp’s 72 not enough after the collapse
Welsh Fire had themselves to blame. Batting first, they reached 61 for two at the halfway mark and then lost their shape completely. Hannah Baker did the damage, bowling Orla Prendergast and having Georgia Wareham superbly caught by Litchfield, both for ducks. Baker finished with two for 15 from her allocation.
Freya Kemp fought a lonely battle at the other end. She reached an unbeaten 72 off 45 balls, launching Jonassen for six and dragging the innings up to 121 for eight. On another night that total might have been competitive. Against a Sunrisers side in this mood, it was well short.
What it means for the eliminator race
The win keeps Sunrisers Leeds alive in the fight for a top-three finish and a place in the eliminator. It sets up a virtual quarter-final with Manchester Super Giants, who sit third on 18 points, two clear of Leeds, at Emirates Old Trafford on Tuesday afternoon. Win that and Sunrisers control their own fate. Lose it and the campaign likely ends there.
For Welsh Fire, there is nothing left to chase in the women’s standings after this defeat sealed their exit. The competition runs through to finals day on August 16.
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