Litchfield's 22-ball 50 keeps Sunrisers alive - and knocks Fire out
Sunrisers set up Tuesday decider with Manchester Super Giants for Eliminator spot
Sunrisers set up Tuesday decider with Manchester Super Giants for Eliminator spot
Scorer: Harshith Gowda | Commentator: Rashad Mahbub
Thank you all for tuning in today - that wraps up our coverage of this match. This is Rashad Mahbub, signing off on behalf of Harshith Gowda. Cheers!
Southern Brave and Trent Rockets have officially secured their spots, leaving just one playoff place up for grabs. It all comes down to Match 30, where the Manchester Super Giants and Sunrisers Leeds will lock horns for that final spot.
Player of the Match, Phoebe Litchfield: "[Running into hot form just at the right time] Yeah, I think our team is coming off a few wins and building momentum. Things are starting to fall into place for us, which is good. [Top of the run scorers' chart today] I don't know. I think I've just walked out and tried to bat - keep it simple, watch the ball. I tend to overthink or overplay my hand at times, but a chance at the top of the order to come out in the powerplay has been lots of fun. When you open the batting, you can just play the game as it is. Our bowlers have set the game up both times superbly and given me the freedom to go out there and play pretty pressure-free. [What's the key to staying brave in must-win games?] I think just staying present. I kind of just hone in on the ball - that's what I tell myself. The only thing that matters is that ball. Once I hone in on that, nothing else matters, and I just act like I'm playing with my dad in the backyard. It's just a ball. So yeah, that's my recipe, and it works sometimes. [Home ground] Headingley is close to my favorite place to bat in the world, I reckon. Having the fans out here is lovely. I think someone said it's my fourth season here, which is really cool. I just love playing here. A lot of people do, so it gets a good wrap, but it deserves it. [Net run rate] We don't really think too much about it. We put ourselves in the best position, and we've spoken about how we want to play - an attacking brand of cricket. We don't want to crawl over the line; we want to win, and our net run rate improves as a result. We stick to the processes, play our game, and hopefully the results take care of themselves."
1:31 pm The Sunrisers Leeds keep their knockout hopes alive with a dominant, emphatic victory over the Welsh Fire. They suffered an early setback when Smith fell to Potts in the opening over. However, Litchfield immediately launched a counter-attack, smashing two boundaries and a six off Potts' next over to swing the momentum back. Litchfield was granted a life on 20 when Prendergast put down a tough chance at cover. She went on to build a 44-run stand with Winfield-Hill before Smale clean-bowled Winfield-Hill as she attempted a paddle sweep. Litchfield raced to a 22-ball half-century before eventually departing for a blistering 55 off 25, caught at mid-off - though the damage was already done. Sutherland then chipped in with a brisk 28 off 18 before being caught at deep midwicket. In the end, it was a comfortable chase, with the Sunrisers reaching their target with six wickets and 26 balls to spare. Smale was the standout bowler for the Fire, picking up two wickets and posing the biggest threat, while Wareham and Potts claimed one apiece.
Sunrisers Leeds Women won by 6 wickets
Sunrisers set up Tuesday decider with Manchester Super Giants for Eliminator spot