JONNY Bairstow shone as a visiting player on what is normally his home ground as Welsh Fire beat Northern Superchargers in The Hundred at Headingley.

The Yorkshire wicketkeeper-batsman, captain of the Fire, was on familiar territory in his first outing of the new competition and looked at ease by hitting 56 from 36 balls in his side’s imposing 173 for four.

Ben Duckett weighed in with 41 and James Neesham blasted 30 not out from just 11 deliveries.

With Burley-in-Wharfedale youngster Harry Brook responding with 64 and Matty Potts cracking 20 from 10 balls low down the order, the Superchargers got within five runs.

But Jake Ball bowled nervelessly in the final set of five. Afghanistan’s Qais Ahmad took four for 13 for the Fire in an impressive display.

The Superchargers were successful in their run chase in the corresponding women’s match earlier in the day, however, thanks to a brilliant unbeaten 93 from Jemimah Rodrigues.

The Indian smashed 17 fours and a six in a remarkable 43-ball knock to rescue her side from 19 for four and and propel them to their 131-run target with 15 balls to spare. Alice Davidson-Richards contributed just 23 to their unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 122.

Hayley Matthews was the top scorer in the Fire’s 130 for eight while the Superchargers’ Linsey Smith took three for 14.