Roy, Overton shine as Southern Brave clinch fourth spot in tense finish

28-Aug-2025

Jason Roy’s explosive 70 off 39 balls and Craig Overton’s all-round impact helped Southern Brave edge out Welsh Fire by four runs in Southampton, securing fourth place in the men’s Hundred table.

Welsh Fire, who could have climbed as high as fourth with a win, instead ended the group stage at the bottom, mirroring the struggles of their women’s side.

Opting to bowl first, Fire were on top early as Brave stumbled to 10 for 2 inside 14 balls. But Roy rolled back the years with a blistering counterattack, smashing back-to-back sixes and reaching his fifty from just 30 balls. Although David Payne (2 for 17) eventually dismissed him, Leus du Plooy (30 off 21) and late fireworks from Overton and Jordan Thompson pushed Brave to a strong 167 for 7.

In reply, Overton struck twice in his opening five balls, including the prized wicket of Steve Smith, leaving Fire reeling at 24 for 3 after the Powerplay. Their chase looked doomed when Tom Abell departed with 117 still required from 59 deliveries.

However, Tom Kohler-Cadmore (84 off 46) and youngster Ben Kellaway produced a thrilling partnership of 81 off 39 balls, hammering boundaries to drag Fire back into contention. Both struck consecutive sixes to keep the game alive.

With 36 needed from the final 20 balls, Thompson and Tymal Mills delivered pinpoint yorkers and slower balls to stall the momentum. The game went down to the wire: 18 were required off the last five balls, and Kohler-Cadmore briefly swung the balance Fire’s way with a six off a no-ball. But Thompson hit back by bowling him with two deliveries left, leaving seven needed from two balls. A final yorker sealed a dramatic Brave victory.

Overton, named Meerkat Match Hero, said: