Cricket - ICC Women’s Cricket T20 World Cup - Final - South Africa v Australia - Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, South Africa - February 26, 2023 South Africa's Shabnim Ismail celebrates after taking the wicket of Australia's Georgia Wareham REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File photo
(Reuters) - Shabnim Ismail's remarkable hat-trick in the last three balls led Welsh Fire to a thrilling women's Hundred victory over Birmingham Phoenix by three runs at Edgbaston on Thursday.
The South African seamer took the wickets of Tess Flintoff for 55 as well as Erin Burns and Issy Wong for no runs, preventing the home team from securing the four runs required for victory in the final three balls.
"I have taken one hat-trick before but I'm so chuffed to get over the line for the team today," Ismail told Sky Sports. "The team is completely different this year. We have a firm belief."
Ismail is the second player to get a hat-trick in the women's Hundred after Alana King for Trent Rockets in 2022.
Welsh Fire maintained their unbeaten streak in The Hundred women's competition, while Birmingham Phoenix are still searching for their first victory.
(Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Ken Ferris)
