BAIRSTOW'S HEROICS ARE NOT ENOUGH

JONNY Bairstow smashed a brilliant 86 off 50 balls as Welsh Fire gave London Spirit a fright before falling to a valiant eight-run defeat in the men's Hundred.

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Fire looked set to suffer an emphatic loss in Cardiff after slumping to 55-6 from 47 deliveries in pursuit of 164.

But Bairstow breathed new life into the innings, sharing an unbeaten 100-run partnership with Chris Green (32) for the seventh wicket to somehow keep the hosts in contention.

The 35-year-old clobbered six fours and six maximums as part of his career-best score in the competition in a final total of 155-6.

Spirit opener David Warner outshone fellow Australian Steve Smith at Sophia Gardens, registering an unbeaten 70 off 45 balls to spearhead his side's score of 163-5.

Smith contributed only three to Fire's response before being caught by Keaton Jennings off the bowling of Richard Gleeson on the fifth delivery he faced.

That left opening partner Bairstow to take centre stage in a thrilling chase which ultimately came up short.