Litchfield helps Sunrisers boost knockout hopes

Sunrisers Leeds 122-4 (74 balls) : Litchfield 55 (25); Smale 2-23

Sunrisers Leeds kept their hopes of making The Hundred knockout phase alive with a six-wicket win over Welsh Fire, which simultaneously eliminated their opponents.

Set 122 for victory, Sunrisers opener Phoebe Litchfield delivered a stellar knock in the must-win encounter as she made a superb 55 off 25 balls to break the back of the chase.

Her side remain fourth in the standings but moved on to 16 points - two behind third-placed Manchester Super Giants.

The Super Giants host Sunrisers at Old Trafford on Tuesday with the victor progressing to the Eliminator.

However, Fire's bid to finish in the top three was extinguished by the result, with one match of their group stage campaign left.

Litchfield hit shots all round the 360 - cutting, pulling, driving and ramping a Fire attack which struggled to contain the Australian's skill and aggression.

The opening batter's knock featured six fours and three sixes and when she was eventually dismissed - caught via a leading edge off Georgia Wareham's bowling - Sunrisers required 31 off 48 balls.