Welsh Fire were beaten by the weather in the Eliminator stage of The Hundred on Saturday as Northern Supercharges advanced to the Final before finishing as runners-up to Southern Brave.
Fire, who finished bottom of the table in the Hundred’s first two editions, looked well-placed to complete a remarkable turnaround after reaching 104 for two from 75 balls, with Tammy Beaumont still at the crease on 37 from 30.
Beaumont, the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, shared an opening partnership of 59 from 45 with Sophia Dunkley (38 from 28) to give the Welsh side a strong platform.
But a sudden downturn in the weather – with lightning accompanied by rain and thunder – scuppered their chances, with Superchargers qualifying to face Southern Brave in Sunday’s final by virtue of finishing above their opponents in the table.
Welsh Fire Captain Tammy Beaumont said:
“I’m absolutely devastated for the girls. It almost would have been easier to take if we’d been absolutely thrashed or beaten in a close one.
“The game was going nicely towards what would have been a decent total and I’d have backed the girls to defend anything. To go on previous results and table finishes is tough, but sport can be cruel – you don’t get the fairytale ending you want and dream of.
“If we’d have won on Tuesday up at Headingley, we’d have been second and we wouldn’t be complaining. It’s unfortunate we’re on the wrong side of it, but there’s nothing we can do about it.
“It would have been great with the journey we were going on after finishing last – hopefully we’ve brought a lot of pride to the team and Wales, but also Northern Superchargers are writing some history for themselves. I think they’ve been brilliant throughout the tournament, really consistent with bat and ball and I wish them all the luck in the final.”