*THE HUNDRED MENS COMPETITION 2023- OVAL INVINCIBLES VS WELSH FIRE PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
We hardly find surfaces in England which are traditionally suited to aid the spinners but the deck at the Kennington Oval is spin-friendly. The ball tends to hold a bit on the surface and the spinners play a vital role while bowling here. The batters will have to take their time to build their innings and it could be a low scoring affair.
The Invincibles are coming into the game having won their opening fixture against London Spirit by 3 wickets. They’re ranked on the third spot on the points table with two points from one game. It took an inspired display from Sunil Narine with bat and ball to see the visitors over the line with one delivery to spare.
On the other hand, Fire are coming into the game having lost their last fixture against Southern Brave by two runs. They’re ranked on the top of the points table with one from two matches having two points to their name. Both teams will be eager to continue their positive start by having another win under their belt. Jonny Bairstow is expected to remain absent for Fire, after his stellar Ashes stint for England in Tests. He's played just twice for the team across the first three editions.
*OVAL INVINCIBLES PROBABLE XI:*
Jason Roy, Will Jacks, Jordan Cox, Heinrich Klaasen, Sam Curran, Sam Billings (c & wk), Tom Curran, Sunil Narine, Gus Atkinson, Zak Chappell, Nathan Sowter
The wrist spinner is the joint second-highest wicket taker of the season so far with three wickets from one match at an average of 11.33. The 30-year-old will be eager to replicate his performance in the upcoming fixture and help his side register their second consecutive win.
Sam Curran, the Invincibles' centrally-contracted England player, hasn't had things all his own way since guiding his country to World Cup glory less than 12 months ago but he's made these kinds of stages his own in recent years. He is one for the big matches and it won’t be long before he starts ruling again.
*WELSH FIRE PROBABLE XI:*
Luke Wells, Joe Clarke (wk), Glenn Phillips, Stephen Eskinazi, Tom Abell (c), David Willey, Roelof van der Merwe, David Payne, Ben Green, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi
David Willey was signed by Fire during the player draft as one of their big-money £125,000 additions. He'll play a central role this term and beyond and will be eager to make amends after the final ball drama at The Ageas Bowl on Friday night.
The 32-year-old is the second-highest run scorer of the tournament so far with 81 runs from two innings at an average of 40.50 with one fifty to his name. He played a magnificent knock of 57 (23) in the opening fixture against Manchester Originals. He would be keen on carrying on as his side searches for their second win in a row.
Personally, I have always found the partnership between Rauf and Shaheen to be a exciting and a threatening one. Only the lords are aware of what they will be cooking ahead of this game in what is expected to be another blockbuster performance in tandem, from the duo.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR WELSH FIRE:*
Highest run getter- Luke Wells/Glenn Phillips
Highest wicket taker- Shaheen Afridi/David Willey
*FOR INVINCIBLES:*
Highest run getter- Will Jacks/Heinrich Klaasen
Highest wicket taker- Nathan Sowter
*FOR THIS GAME:*
Welsh Fire to win