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In an exhilarating game at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Welsh Fire’s Phoebe Franklin delivered a match-defining moment with a spectacular catch that helped secure their victory by six wickets against Trent Rockets in Match 14 of The Hundred Women’s Competition 2024.
Phoebe Franklin’s spectacular catch
The game-changing moment came on the 44th ball of the Rockets’ innings. Georgia Davis, bowling with precision, delivered a quick ball on middle and off, challenging the batter. Natasha Wraith, attempting to capitalize, unleashed a powerful slog. The ball seemed destined for the boundary, but Phoebe Franklin had other plans.
Sprinting in from the deep mid-wicket boundary, Franklin covered an impressive amount of ground. With remarkable agility and focus, she dived forward, her hands outstretched, and caught the ball inches from the turf. This outstanding catch not only dismissed Wraith for 28 runs off 24 balls but also shifted the momentum decisively in the Fire’s favour, leaving the Rockets at 55/3 after 44 balls.
Here’s the video:
A catch styled to perfection! 😎
This is brilliant from Phoebe Franklin! 💪#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/pUkSBn5zz4
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 3, 2024
Also WATCH: Kate Cross dismisses Mady Villiers with a peach of a delivery in The Hundred Women 2024
Trent Rockets’ inning and late surge
Earlier, the Rockets’ captain Nat Sciver-Brunt chose to bat first after winning the toss. The innings got off to a rocky start as they lost both openers within the first seven balls. Bryony Smith was dismissed on the very first delivery by Freya Davies, while Grace Scrivens fell shortly after, bowled out by Beth Langston without scoring.
Wraith and Sciver-Brunt then forged a crucial 52-run partnership off 37 balls, stabilizing the innings. However, Wraith’s dismissal, courtesy of Franklin’s exceptional catch off Davis’s bowling, disrupted their momentum. Sciver-Brunt added a solid 37 runs off 26 balls, but the early losses proved costly. Despite the setbacks, Ashleigh Gardner (31 off 26 balls) and Heather Graham (27* off 18 balls) managed to push the Rockets to a competitive total of 130 runs in their 100-ball innings. Jess Jonassen was the standout bowler for the Fire, taking two vital wickets.
Welsh Fire’s chase
In reply, the Fire faced their own early troubles, losing both openers quickly. Nevertheless, Sarah Bryce, batting at number four, played a crucial role. Her unbeaten 51 runs guided the Fire through the tense chase. Her composed and strategic batting ensured they crossed the finish line with just two balls to spare. Despite Sciver-Brunt’s commendable bowling performance, taking two wickets, the Rockets couldn’t contain the Fire’s chase. This thrilling victory propelled the Fire Women to the top of the points table in The Hundred Women’s Competition 2024.
