Last ball heartbreak for Southern Brave Men
Southern Brave Men (129-9) were on the wrong side of a final ball decider against MI London (130-7) at Utilita Bowl.
The game was decided at the very last moment with MI London just getting over the line, chasing Brave’s 129‑9 with two runs off the final ball.
Jamie Smith top‑scored for Brave in a hard‑fought innings, with contributions throughout but few opportunities to break free against disciplined MI London bowling.
Marcus Stoinis was particularly effective, taking 3‑17 and removing both James Vince and Nicholas Pooran in consecutive deliveries during the powerplay.
Brave fought back admirably with the ball. Adil Rashid bowled Sam Curran for 30, Stoinis returned to dismiss Will Jacks for a crucial 54, and Chris Jordan produced a brilliant direct‑hit to remove Sherfane Rutherford just as momentum was shifting.
The game swung repeatedly in the closing stages. Chaudhary bowled Tom Curran, Rashid Khan was run out, and MI London needed three from the final three balls. In the end, Ollie Pope’s sliced cut shot sealed the visitors’ win with one ball remaining.
It was a tense affair with Brave in it until the very last delivery, but MI London’s chase proved just enough to hand the men their third defeat of the campaign.
Southern Brave host Birmingham Phoenix on Thursday 30 July, with the men looking to secure their first win of this year’s campaign.
