Ravindra's 98, Ferguson's four-fer power Welsh Fire past MI London

Rachin Ravindra fell two runs short of a century but produced one of the finest innings in the history of the men's Hundred to set up Welsh Fire's 15-run win over MI London at Sophia Gardens. The New Zealand left-hander smashed 98 off just 44 balls before Lockie Ferguson's four-wicket burst and a stunning caught-and-bowled from Ravindra himself ensured the defending champions fell short in a chase of 188.

Asked to bat, Welsh Fire made a shaky start as Phil Salt chipped Tom Curran to Sherfane Rutherford before Richard Gleeson bowled Matthew Short, leaving the hosts reeling at 20 for 2 after 22 deliveries.

Ravindra, however, transformed the innings almost single-handedly. He raced to a 22-ball fifty by launching Rashid Khan over midwicket and barely slowed thereafter. With Joe Root content to play the supporting role in a 29-run knock, Ravindra tore into the attack, smashing four sixes in the space of eight deliveries and surpassing Jonny Bairstow's unbeaten 86 for the highest individual score for Welsh Fire in the men's competition.

Jordan Cox chipped in with an unbeaten 17 off nine balls after Root was stumped off Rashid, but the spotlight remained firmly on Ravindra as he closed in on a hundred. He was denied the milestone on the 98th ball of the innings, miscuing Trent Boult to Jason Roy after an extraordinary knock that lifted Fire to 187 for 4. 70 of his 98 came in fours and sixes as he hit seven each of the two.

MI London began the chase steadily despite losing Will Jacks early to Sam Cook, with Roy and James Vince adding momentum to reach 72 for 1 after 46 balls.

Ferguson then flipped the contest. The New Zealand quick struck with successive deliveries to bowl Roy before removing Sam Curran for a golden duck, shifting the momentum back towards the hosts. He later accounted for Nicholas Pooran to leave MI London with a steep hill to climb.

Vince kept the chase alive with a fluent 66 off 38 balls, but with the equation still within reach (46 off 29), Ravindra produced another defining moment. Diving low to his left in his follow-through, he completed a brilliant caught-and-bowled to dismiss Vince and effectively end the chase.

Sherfane Rutherford struck an unbeaten 24 in a late flourish, but Welsh Fire's bowlers held their composure in the closing stages, with Ferguson returning to clean up Tom Curran and finish with four wickets as Fire secured their second win of the season.

Brief Scores: Welsh Fire 167/5 in 100 balls (Rachin Ravindra 98, Joe Root 29; Trent Boult 1-16) beat MI London 152/6 in 100 balls (James Vince 66, Sherfane Rutherford 24; Lockie Ferguson 4-26, Sam Cook 1-21) by 15 runs