Welsh Fire Yet To Spark In Men's Hundred
Author: Tom Penn
Updated At:
Even 86 not out from Jonny Bairstow and an unbroken seventh wicket partnership of 100 with Chris Green, Welsh Fire were unable to get the better of London Spirit on Saturday evening and have now lost both of their opening fixtures in the 2025 Men's Hundred.
Australian batting sensation Steven Smith was supposed to propel the Welsh franchise to new heights in this season's competition but they have now gone six games without a victory covering the end of the 2024 campaign into this year's.
Next they take on Manchester Originals in a game which many think will be too close to call on Wednesday evening.
Northern Superchargers & London Spirit Too Good For Welsh Fire
Welsh Fire began their 2025 Men's Hundred campaign with a trip to Headingley but were well beaten by Northern Superchargers who ticked off their chase of 144 with 11 balls remaining and eight wickets in hand.
Bowling seems to be a real issue for Welsh Fire so far in this year's tournament as they have taken just seven wickets across their two games. Australian Riley Meredith has taken three of those and England international Josh Hull took two on Saturday.
With the bat, Steve Smith has contirbuted 32 runs from two innings so far and the team need that number to start rising fast. Jonny Bairstow impressed with six sixes and six fours on Saturday and there could be an argument to push all-rounder Chris Green up the order for this next clash after his impressive 32 not out in the same game.
Manchester Originals In Cardiff
Both Welsh Fire and Manchester Originals have lost their first two games so something is going to have to give in Cardiff on Wednesday evening!
But this looks like a tough game to call with the head to head reading two wins each for both sides, albeit that Welsh Fire have won the last two.
| Year | Winner |
| 2024 | Welsh Fire won by eight wickets |
| 2023 | Welsh Fire won by nine runs |
| 2022 | Manchester Originals won by 47 runs |
| 2021 | Manchester Originals won by seven wickets |
Both teams need a win and there's a sub-plot to look out for as Jimmy Anderson, not involved in this year's up-coming Ashes, gets a chance to bowl at Steve Smith!
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