JONNY Bairstow’s astonishing unbeaten 86 from 50 balls was in vain as London Spirit edged a tense eight-run win over Welsh Fire in The Hundred.
Fire needed 31 from the final 10 balls and Bairstow hit back-to-back sixes off England’s Jamie Overton to keep his side within touching distance, but seamer Luke Wood held his nerve to close out the win from the last set of five at Sophia Gardens.
The hosts were left to rue a top-order collapse to 55-6 – including Australia star Steve Smith falling for just three – as Bairstow was starved of the strike, facing just 18 of the first 50 balls of their pursuit of 164 to win.
Chris Green contributed 32 not out from 21 balls in a stunning partnership of 100 from just 53 balls with Bairstow, who whacked six fours and six sixes in his destructive knock.
The wicketkeeper had 28 from 27 balls before a remarkable acceleration that started with 21 runs scored from five balls of Wood, leaving the equation still an unlikely 70 off 30, which proved just enough for Spirit.
Their 163-5 was set up by opener David Warner’s unbeaten 70 from 45 balls, as they responded to being bowled out for just 80 in their first match.
Warner whacked eight fours and two sixes as he found support from England’s Jamie Smith, who added 26 from 14 balls, while Warner’s fellow Australian Ashton Turner chipped in with 24.
It means Fire’s men’s and women’s teams remain winless in the competition so far. (BBC Sport)