Stars set to shine for Welsh Fire in The Hundred
6-1 Prominent, led over 5f out, headed over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 17, 3 1/2l behind Summer Sands at Redcar 6f Lstd auc stks (1) hvy. 6-1fav Towards rear, outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never a threat, 13th of 21, 9l behind Southern Hills at Royal Ascot 5f 2yo lst stk (1) sft in Jun.
9-4 Raced near side group, mid-division early, headway to chase leaders from over 1f out, kept on well without reaching front pair inside final furlong, 3rd of 26, 1/2l behind Stone Circle at Curragh 6f 2yo auc gd in Sep.
7-2fav Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 8th of 11, 9l behind Separate at Newbury 7f 2yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Sep.
WELSH Fire built a star-studded squad in the inaugural player draft for next year’s The Hundred.
They already boasted the talents of England superstar Jonny Bairstow, experienced Twenty20 campaigner Colin Ingram and Somerset’s precociously talented Tom Banton ahead of the draft, but certainly added the firepower on Sunday night.
Here, we assess the squad in depth and explain how The Hundred works and when it will be played.
WELSH FIRE SQUAD Jonny Bairstow (wicket-keeper batsman):
Needs little introduction. England World Cup-winning opening batsman and fiery, passionate character. He will fit the bill nicely in south Wales. Also a wicket-keeper, but will be taken by England duties after the first few games.
Tom Banton (wicket-keeper batsman):
One of the most exciting prospects in the country at the moment. Dominated this summer’s T20 Blast, scoring 549 runs at an average of 42 and a strike rate of 161. Only his opening partner Babar Azam scored more.
Colin Ingram (batsman):
Lovingly known in these parts as ‘Kingram’ following his heroics in a Glamorgan shirt in recent years. Guided them to a T20 finals day and won the Big Bash League with Adelaide Strikers last year. A global T20 powerhouse by anyone’s reckoning.
Mitchell Starc (pace bowler):
One of the most ferocious bowlers in world cricket, consistently clocking over 90mph. Banton joked he is not looking forward to facing him in the nets, but many would rather him bowling for you than against you. A superstar signing.
Steve Smith (batsman):
Arguably the best batsman to have played the game since the great Donald Bradman. The former Australia captain returned from his ban for his part in last year’s ball-tampering scandal to haunt English bowlers in this summer’s Ashes. He scored 774 runs at an average of 110.57.
Ben Duckett (wicket-keeper batsman):
A man who made his name in white-ball cricket and was called up to England’s Test squad for their Asian tour of 2016. A left-handed stroke-maker who is likely to slot in for Bairstow when he is whisked away at the top of the order.
Ravi Rampaul (pace bowler):
At 35, he is still mixing it with the big guns. This season he was the top wicket taker in the T20 Blast, averaging just under 16 with the ball at a very handy economy rate of 6.70 runs per over. It now looks a smart pick.
Simon Harmer (spinner):
One of the best spinners this country has to offer. A Kolpak player who has earned a glowing reputation at Essex, winning the PCA Player of the Year award along with Darren Stevens this summer.
Little is known of the Afghan off-spinner, but by all accounts the 19-year-old has a bright future ahead of him. Welsh Fire swooped late for their last overseas pick, but with Ahmad and Harmer, they look to have two really solid spin options.
Qais Ahmad (spinner): Liam Plunkett (pace bowler):
Another of England’s World Cup heroes in the summer and a man who is also, like Starc, capable of touching 90mph. He also hits a long ball with the bat, which will always come in useful in the lower order.
Ryan ten Doeschate (batsman):
Another T20 veteran who has smashed the ball to all parts for Essex over the years. A key cog in the wheel for Essex as they romped their way to T20 blast success. A powerful middle-order batsman.
David Payne (pace bowler):
Another left-armer to add variety to this attack. He also picked up a clutch of wickets this season (16) and looks a very handy addition to the squad.
Ryan Higgins (pace bowler):
Yet another Gloucestershire man who will hopefully attract supporters from across the Severn next year. One who will have to have a very good Blast campaign to force his way into the XI.
The last of Fire’s three frontline spinners and another slow left-armer. The Sussex man is a reliable spinner who would have slotted into any of the eight teams without an eyebrow being raised. A solid pick.
Danny Briggs (spinner): Leus du Plooy (batsman):
A left-handed batsman who was picked up by Derbyshire this year on a Kolpak deal. He boasts a strong career T20 average of 34 with a healthy 115 strike rate. He racked up 312 runs for Derbyshire in the Blast this year.
The final member of the squad will be picked after next year’s T20 Blast campaign, giving eight players the opportunity to impress and bag a contract next summer.
Wildcard: THE TOURNAMENT When?
The men’s competition will take place between July 17 and August 16, 2020.
What are the teams?
There are eight teams and each team will play eight matches – four at home and four away. The top three teams will qualify for a finals day, with second and third to battle it out to face first in the grand final. Southern Braves, Birmingham Phoenix, Leeds Superchargers , Manchester Originals, Oval Invincibles, London Spirit, Welsh Fire , Trent Rockets.
How is The Hundred played?
Here are the main takeaways. Each innings will comprise of 100 balls; A bowler can bowl up to 20 balls, bowling a minimum of five and a maximum of 10 consecutively; There will be a change of ends after 10 balls; The fielding side will be permitted only two fielders outside the 30-yard circle for the first 25 balls of an innings
How will I watch it?
All the men’s matches will be broadcast live on Sky, while eight league matches, one from each host venue, and finals day will be on BBC.