*THE HUNDRED MENS COMPETITION MATCH 17- WELSH FIRE VS SOUTHERN BRAVE 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
The Welsh Fire have been the better side this season with 2 wins to accompany them in three games. What makes them deadly is the presence of the Pakistani pace duo- Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi who have been bamboozling the batters every now and then and also keeping the run scoring in check. Just the effect that these two have had on their entire team has been immense. Not only are they emitting skills but a ton of energy as well, and this is what makes Welsh Fire a formidable side despite their batting being relatively weak and fragile. What should worry them however is that their only loss this season so far has come up against the Braves who will be rarely to get to 5 points by the end of this game and with the presence of a star studded bowling group that matches up with Welsh’s, they will be confident that they can.
The Braves have just a sole victory to show, that too, against this opposition. The fact that they lost to the Superchargers by 60 runs was scary and what was worse is that they never got an opportunity to come over that loss after a washout against the Spirits. They would be aiming one now with a comeback expected from the likes of Conway Allen and Vince.
*WELSH FIRE PROBABLE XI:*
Joe Clarke (wk), Luke Wells, Stephen Eskinazi, Tom Abell (c), Glenn Phillips, David Willey, Ben Green, Shaheen Afridi, Roelof van der Merwe, Haris Rauf, David Payne
The Sophia Gardens offers a balanced track and it has everything in it for the batters who know how to build a long innings. I see Glenn Phillips playing the role of an anchor tomorrow with his skillsets and his ability to play from start to finish. On a double paced pitch like this, Phillips incredible hitting and stroke making skills could rescue the Fire. He has been a player of asset in this format and it only makes sense why he will continue to be the most integral member of the side with vast T20 expedience.
Luke Wells is the top run-scorer for Welsh Fire with 95 runs at a strike rate of 172. He has struck 5 sixes and 10 fours. Stephen Eskinazi has also made 78 runs at a strike rate of 181. How these two approach this game could be decisive of their fortunes.
*SOUTHERN BRAVE PROBABLE XI:*
Devon Conway (wk), Finn Allen, James Vince (c), Leus du Plooy, Joe Weatherley, Tim David, James Fuller, Rehan Ahmed, Matthew Fisher-Chris Jordan, Craig Overton, Tymal Mills
Tymal Mills has been the best bowler for Southern Brave and has picked up 4 wickets while bowling at an average of 20 and an economy rate of 6.92. It goes without saying that his cutters and his in dippers can crucial and are doing the trick. Mills with his left arm action has been able to make his experience count and do something special here. Excited to watch him come out on top on this balance track.
A lot relies on Tim David vs Shaheen and Rauf. The three have experience of bowling/batting against each other because of the Aussie’s stint at the PSL where he crashed down at the bowlers. How he plays them in conditions much helpful to them will be a challenge which the big hitter will look to overcome.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR WELSH FIRE:*
Highest run getter- Eskinazi/Phillips
Highest wicket taker- Haris Rauf
*FOR SOUTHERN BRAVE:*
Highest run getter- James Vince
Highest wicket taker- Tymal Mills/Rehan Ahmed
*FOR THIS GAME:*
Braves to win again