Welsh Fire vs London Spirit, The Hundred Men, Today Match Prediction 18 August 2021

wef vs ldn Match Prediction & Analysis

It is the 32nd and the final league game of The Hundred, 2021 and one that would be of no consequence for the rest of the sides. Both Welsh Fire and London Spirit have played poorly and are out of contention for the next round. The Welsh Fire suffered a massive loss in the last game against Southern Brave while London Spirit went down to the Oval Invincibles in a close game. 

Both the sides have had their problems in the tournament where they haven’t been able to put up the kind of performances they would have liked. As the sides pull down curtains on their campaigns, they would like to have a final hurray in this game. Given the kind of performances we have seen from the two teams in the last few games it would be interesting to see which of these sides emerges as winner. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Welsh Fire Preview

Since their strong start which saw them winning the first two games, Ben Duckett’s side has been in miserable form. They have lost the last five games and went down to Southern Brave by 8 wickets in the last game. They won’t make it to the next round and knowing that Duckett would like to bow out of the tournament on a high and considering London Spirit’s for the side would count on its chances. 

Tom Banton and his new opening partner David Lloyd shall look to give the side a good start in the game. This has been one of the major headaches for the side in the last few games. They have a strong middle order in Duckett, Ian Cockbain and Glenn Phillips and the side would like to see runs from them here. In James Neesham and Leus du Plooy the side possesses good firepower at the bottom. 

David Payne and Luke Fletcher bowled well in the last game and similar show would be needed from them in this game. The side would like to see better efforts with the ball from Phillips here. Qais Ahmed has been in good form, and this adds to the strength of the side which also has Neesham and Graeme White in the bowling department. 

Welsh Fire Predicted Playing XI:

Ben Duckett (c), David Lloyd, Tom Banton (wk), Ian Cockbain, Glenn Phillips, Leus du Plooy, James Neesham, Graeme White, Qais Ahmad, Luke Fletcher, David Payne

London Spirit Preview

It has been a tournament that Eoin Morgan would like to forget. The English skipper hasn’t been able to inspire confidence in the side as they have won just one game so far. The side comes here with a 2-wicket loss against the Oval Invincibles. As they play the last game of the tournament Morgan would like his side to put up its best efforts and finish something to cheer about. 

Batting has been a problem area for the side, and they would like to see a good show from Adam Rossington and Joe Denly who did put up a good show. They will have to work on their scoring rate in this game. Morgan batted well but will need support from Josh Inglis and Ravi Bopara in the middle. Joe Cracknell and David Weise are good hitters, but they will need to make these skills count in the game. 

Roelof van der Merwe hasn’t bowled well and the side would like to see a positive show from him with the new ball alongside Joe Denly. Mason Crane and Bradley Wheal bowled well in the last game and similar show would be expected from them. The side would also like to see good supporting act from Blake Cullen and Bopara in this game. 

London Spirit Predicted Playing XI:

Eoin Morgan (c), Adam Rossington (wk), Joe Denly, Josh Inglis, Joe Cracknell, Ravi Bopara, David Wiese, Roelof van der Merwe, Blake Cullen, Bradley Wheal, Mason Crane

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The skies over Cardiff shall be mostly clear on August 18 and this would make batting conditions easy. The wicket has looked flat so far in all the games played. Batsmen would get the opportunity to play their strokes at this venue and the side batting first would target a score above 150 runs.

Venue Details

Sophia Gardens, Cardiff is a big ground, but the wicket is flat, and batsmen have always been able to play their strokes with ease at this venue. Fast bowlers do get some assistance early on during the game when they pitch the ball up. Spinners have done well at this venue in the past.

Toss: To Bowl

The last two games at this venue have been won by sides that have chased the scores. We have seen big scores being put up here and the wicket doesn’t change much in character. The side that wins the toss in this game would have little hesitation in opting to bowl first.