*THE HUNDRED MEN’S COMPETITION- WELSH FIRE VS MANCHESTER ORIGINALS MATCH 2 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
*IS REDEMPTION DUE FOR THE WELSH FIRE?:*
How do you cope up with zero wins in a season? Ask Welsh Fire. They were on the receiving end of this slaughter last year, can’t imagine how big a travesty that would have been. To go winless is morally deflating and physically draining and we assume that a redemption is just around the corner as they kick start proceedings against the runners up of the tournament last season, The Manchester Originals who’d be aiming at taking another step this time in order to finally lift the title.
English limited-overs skipper Jos Buttler will continue to lead the Manchester Originals in the Hundred. They have plenty of experienced players on their side and certainly start as favorites heading into the Hundred Men’s Competition 2023.
The best part about playing at the Sophia Gardens is that it allows the batters to play through the line, making it easier as viewers to witness both orthodox and unorthodox shots. The spinners are likely to come into play later with the side winning the toss most likely to bowl second.
*WELSH FIRE PROBABLE XI:*
Luke Wells, Joe Clarke (wk), Stephen Eskinazi, Chris Cooke, Ben Green, Tom Abell (c), David Willey, Glenn Phillips, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Roelof van der Merwe, Haris Rauf
Glenn Phillips is an asset to any T20 side that he joins. He is a one of a kind in terms of his allround abilities backed up by his ability to field like Rhodes. He hits the ball hard, has a decent off spin bowling action to back up his powerpacked batting and flys like Superman to catch everything in his arc. Lower down the order, the Welsh Fire would aim at utilising him to the best tilt and with spin likely to play a part, I won’t be surprised if he rolls his arm over for a over or two. A right start would mean that the Welsh have started their tourney on a high note, it would not just be an event of contrast but a statement of intent and power.
The super sensational duo of Shaheen and Rauf who were instrumental to the side’s success at the PSL, making it two trophies in a row, will be a thing to cherish for the Welsh Fire. They have the pace now with Shaheen bowling at full tilt and the English grounds should suit their style of bowling where the pacers are supposed to be getting help throughout. If there’s a partnership that can stop the powerpacked opening partnership of Salt and Buttler, then it is this.
*MANCHESTER ORIGINALS PROBABLE XI:*
Jos Buttler (c), Phil Salt (wk), Laurie Evans, Wayne Madsen, Max Holden, Ashton Turner, Paul Walter, Tom Lammonby, Tom Hartley, Richard Gleeson, Joshua Little
Joshua Little had a decent campaign in the IPL 2023 for Gujarat Titans and has proven his bowling exploits for Ireland on certain occasions. He will be hungry to get the wickets and get his name among the leading wicket-takers in the competition.
The left arm angle that he creates and his ability to extract seam makes him a threat and the runners up would want him to start strong and get a hold over Welsh right away.
Richard Gleason impressed me from the moment I got a glimpse of him. He hits the deck hard, has good speed and can be a more than a handy bet on surfaces that are flat. You always require 140kmph plus bowlers on batting friendly tracks and when that’s the case, he is your man, your “go to man”.
Welsh Fire need to find a way to counter the fiery tagteam of Jos and Salt. They could turn to their Pakistani pace duo but the task at hand is tricky. These two hold the aces in favour of them, having played here for so long and cherished each others bond over the years. Both would be eager to go hard or go home and even if Buttler fails to find the rhythm, he is known to take his time and build a innings of composure where he decides to launch himself in the final stages. It is set to be a cracker of a game.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR WELSH FIRE:*
Highest run getter- Glenn Phillips/Joe Clarke
Highest wicket taker- Shaheen Afridi/Haris Rauf
*FOR MANCHESTER:*
Highest run getter- Jos Buttler/Phil Salt
Highest wicket taker- Joshua Little/Richard Gleeson
*FOR THE GAME:*
Welsh Fire to win