Welsh Fire Men vs Manchester Originals Men Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Welsh Fire Men vs Manchester Originals Men taking place? Welsh Fire Men vs Manchester Originals Men will take place on Saturday 31st July, 2021 at 14:30 (UK)
Where is Welsh Fire Men vs Manchester Originals Men taking place? Welsh Fire Men vs Manchester Originals Men will take place at Sophia Gardens Cardiff in Cardiff
What is the expected weather for Welsh Fire Men vs Manchester Originals Men? 19c, dry with light cloud and a gentle breeze
Where can I get tickets for Welsh Fire Men vs Manchester Originals Men? Click here for the latest ticket information for Welsh Fire Men vs Manchester Originals Men
What TV channel is Welsh Fire Men vs Manchester Originals Men on in the UK? Welsh Fire Men vs Manchester Originals Men will be televised live on Sky Sports. Welsh Fire Men vs Manchester Originals Men will also be televised live on BBC platforms
Where can I stream Welsh Fire Men vs Manchester Originals Men? Sky Sports subscribers can stream Welsh Fire Men vs Manchester Originals Men live via Sky Go. Welsh Fire Men vs Manchester Originals Men can also be streamed live on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website & app
THE TEAM NEWS
WELSH FIRE MEN
- Welsh Fire come into this contest on a huge high having made it two wins from two games last time out, beating Southern Brave by 18 runs.
- Once again, captain Jonny Bairstow starred at the top of the order, smashing 72 from just 39 balls including 5 fours and 5 sixes as his side racked up 165/4 with top order batter Ben Duckett scoring 53 from 34 deliveries.
- Bairstow will now depart for England test duty, a seismic blow for Welsh Fire, who will likely call upon either Derbyshire’s Leus du Plooy or Glamorgan’s David Lloyd to replace him, Lloyd being the only Welsh player in the Welsh Fire squad.
MANCHESTER ORIGINALS MEN
- Manchester Originals were not given the chance to back up their victory against Birmingham Phoenix by securing another two points vs Northern Superchargers in midweek, after that match was rained off without a ball being bowled.
- That match was set to be the Originals’ first game without wicketkeeper batter and captain Jos Butter, who has departed for England with West Indian all-rounder Carlos Braithwaite set to skipper the side in his absence.
- Both Braithwaite and head coach Simon Katich will be boosted by the availability of overseas fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, who has recovered from a side strain and is set to make his first appearance in the Hundred here.
THE PREDICTION
Huge credit to Welsh Fire, whom many wrote off heading into the men’s Hundred for proving many people wrong and starting the competition dripping in heat (pardon the pun). However, there is no escaping the fact that they will be significantly weakened without Jonny Bairstow, with Ben Duckett now expected to not only don the wicketkeeper gloves, but also maintain his great start to the Hundred with the bat. When you take out Bairstow’s runs, the likelihood is that Welsh Fire will not accrue as high a total with the bat as you would normally expect whether they bat first or second. Manchester Originals’ bowling attack is certainly strong enough to take advantage of a weakened Welsh Fire top order and when factoring in the debut of Ferguson for the visitors, it is Manchester Originals who are to be narrowly favoured here.
