• Home
  • Cricket News
  • Richardson Tom Helm Shine As Birmingham Beat Welsh Fire By Four Runs

The Hundred 2022: Richardson & Tom Helm shine as Birmingham beat Welsh Fire by four runs 

image-l6se5wrgBirmingham managed to hold their nerves in the final ten deliveries

A clinical bowling performance spearheaded by Kane Richardson (2/20) and Tom Helm (2/35) helped Birmingham Phoenix beat Welsh Fire by four runs in a low-scoring thriller at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Saturday, August 13. 



Chasing a minuscule target of 131, Welsh Fire have had the game in their pocket till the 90th delivery with David Miller and Joshua Cobb looking set to finish it on a rousing note.

However, what followed in the next or rather say the final 10 deliveries was beyond belief. With 13 needed off 10 balls, Kane Richardson showed the nerves of steel and bowled a stunning penultimate over (5 Balls) to concede just two runs.

The pressure created by the right-arm pacer saw Tom Helm reap rewards as he got rid of Cobb on the first ball of the final over. The 28-year-old then held his nerves and conceded six runs in his next four deliveries to guide his team to an exciting four wickets victory.

Tom Banton, with his 32-ball 44 top scored for Welsh Fire while Miller remained not out for 35 off 30. Sam Hain also played a handy cameo in the middle with his quick 15-ball 23. 

Matthew Wade's responsible knock steers Birmingham to 130

Earlier Birmingham Phoenix, after being put into bat, were jolted immediately as they lost their opener and last match centurion Will Smeed for a four-ball duck. 

Chris Benjamin (15), skipper Moeen Ali (10) and Liam Livingstone (4) were the next three to follow Smeed as Phoenix was soon reduced to 27/4 after just 25 deliveries. 

The wicket-keeper batter Matthew Wade then stepped up to lead the batting charge of the Phoenix and dig the team out of trouble. 

The Australian did provide Birmingham's score with some sense of respectability with his 30-ball 38 however he couldn't convert it into something. 

The handy cameos from Miles Hammond (17), Benny Howell (21*) and Tom Helm (13) at the backend propelled Birmingham Phoenix to a respectable total of 130/7 at the end of the first inning.

For Welsh Fire, the left-pacer David Payne and George Scrimshaw were the most impressive bowlers with figures of 2/12 and 2/22, while the likes of Jake Ball, Joshua Cobb, and Adam Zampa got a brace each.  



Welsh fire extended their losing streak with a third defeat in as many games. For the Phoenix, it was their second win in three matches.

Brief Score 

Birmingham Phoenix: 130/7 (100 Balls) 

Matthew Wade 38 (30), Benny Howell 21 (11);
David Payne 2-12 (15 Balls), George Scrimshaw 2-22 (20 Balls)  

Welsh Fire: 126/5 (100 Balls) 

Tom Banton 44 (32), David Miller 35 (30)*;
Kane Richardson 2-15 (20 Balls), Tom Helm 2-35 (20 Balls) 

Welsh Fire won by four runs.

ALSO READ: Dawid Malan's show Powers Trent Rockets To 8-Wicket Win Over Manchester Originals