Sunrisers thump Fire to close in on qualification

The Hundred men's competition, Headingley Sunrisers Leeds 201-4 (100 balls): Marsh 50 (34); Woakes 2-41 Welsh Fire 130-6 (100 balls): Short 43 (29); Carse 3-24 Sunrisers Leeds won by 71 runs Scorecard. Table Sunrisers Leeds moved person to securing qualification for The Hundred's knockout stages with a broad 71-run triumph implicit Welsh Fire. Mitch Marsh, the tournament's leading run‑scorer, recorded his fourth half‑century of the season as the second‑placed Sunrisers posted 201‑4 at Headingley. The Australian opener reached fifty off 34 balls and added 89 for the opening partnership with Ryan Rickelton. Chris Woakes, who finished with figures of 2‑41, claimed the key wicket when he had Rickelton caught for 40. Shortly afterwards, Harry Brook (23 from 11 balls) and Marsh were dismissed in the space of five deliveries, caught by Jordan Clark and Lockie Ferguson respectively. Captain Zak Crawley struck four sixes in a 12‑ball 34 as Sunrisers pressed on. Dan Lawrence (29) and Matthew Revis (15) closed the innings with an unbroken stand of 27. Welsh Fire, sitting fifth, could not keep up with the required run‑rate in their reply. Only Matt Short (43) and Joe Root (31) managed double figures, sharing a 49‑run stand for the second wicket. Short was one of three victims for Brydon Carse, who also removed opener Phil Salt (13) and Marco Jansen (1). Root fell to Nathan Ellis, who also bowled Rachin Ravindra for two. Jordan Cox was caught for 12 off Matthew Potts. Tom Kohler‑Cadmore and Woakes remained unbeaten on 13 as Fire finished at 130‑6, well short of their target after electing to field first. Sunrisers now only need to avoid defeat against Manchester Super Giants on Tuesday to secure a knockout place. A victory would keep them in contention for top spot should league leaders Trent Rockets lose to Southern Brave on Monday. Fire, who would have risen to second with a win on Sunday, remain the lowest‑placed team among the three sides on 16 points. They will likely need a win over London Spirit on Wednesday and then rely on net run‑rate to claim the final knockout berth.