Trent Rockets vs Welsh Fire
The Fire, asked to bat first, managed to post a competitive total of 129/6 on a pitch that favored the spinners. Bairstow was the standout performer, scoring a fluent 55 off 45 balls, which included seven boundaries. His innings provided the backbone of Fire’s total, especially as the spinners dominated the proceedings.
Root, showcasing his versatility, bowled a series of round-arm off-breaks and conceded only 19 runs from his 20-ball spell. Root also claimed the crucial wicket of Fire’s skipper Tom Abell, who contributed a vital 33 runs to the total.
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Dramatic final moments
The chase saw Rockets in a strong position with a brisk start from Alex Hales and Tom Banton. Root, who scored 17 runs, was dismissed in a comical fashion, thanks to a brilliant throw from Joe Clarke at backward point. Sam Hain remained unbeaten with 22 off 26 balls but was involved in mix-ups that resulted in two run-outs, including that of Rashid Khan.
The final 10 balls were a spectacle of high drama, with four wickets falling and the Rockets’ hopes dwindling. David Payne and Haris Rauf bowled with nerves of steel, ensuring a tight defense of the total. The spectacular fielding by the Fire, highlighted by several brilliant catches, turned the game on its head, securing a thrilling victory.
Post-match banter: Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root
After the match, Bairstow shared a light-hearted moment, discussing his banter with Root. Speaking to Sky Sports, Bairstow humorously noted how Root, who has become a regular bowler in Test cricket, bowled lower than Lasith Malinga during the game.
“Yeah, he bottled it, didn’t he? He didn’t even chuck one up. I said to him before he came on, ‘It’s me or you here.’ Then the next thing is he starts bowling lower than Malinga. I couldn’t believe it, so yeah, he’ll be getting some stick for that,” Bairstow said.
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