Manchester Originals Men vs Welsh Fire Men Preview & Prediction | The Hundred 2024 | Group Stage
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The third game of the 2024 version of The Hundred sees the tournament head north to Emirates Old Trafford where last season’s runners’ up the Manchester Originals take on a Welsh Fire side that missed out on the knockout stages last season on net run rate.
DATE & TIME: Thursday 25th July, 2024: USA ET – 1:30pm / USA PT – 11:30am / UK – 6:30pm
VENUE: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
WEATHER: 19c or 66.2 F with clear skies but showers expected before play
HOW TO WATCH THE HUNDRED: USA – Willow & DAZN / UK – Sky Sports & BBC / Click here for a list of broadcasters in other territories
HOW TO GET TICKETS FOR THE HUNDRED: Click here for the latest ticket information for Manchester Originals Men vs Welsh Fire Men
MANCHESTER ORIGINALS FORM: ‘MONEYBALL’ OF MANCHESTER
There are two changes to the Manchester Originals’ squad for the 2024 season with Tom Aspinwall and Scott Currie replacing Fred Klaassen and Josh Tongue. The Originals would have hoped to have arguably the best opening pair in the league with Lancashire and England batters Phil Salt and Jos Buttler at the top. However, Buttler has had to withdraw from the tournamane through injury. The misused term of ‘moneyball’ has been used to describe an Originals squad that is perhaps lacking in star quality, aside from Salt and the now absent Buttler, but there is still plenty of effective talent.
LAST THREE: LLW
WELSH FIRE FORM: POWERFUL LINEUP
The Welsh Fire managed to miss out on a top three slot last season on net run rate with a tie against the Oval Invincibles proving eventually costly to their spot in the league table. Their batting line-up remains fierce for this season with Jonny Bairstow accompanied by the likes of Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Joe Clarke and Glenn Phillips. There are plenty of bowling options for coach Michael Hussey and captain Tom Abell to use, too, as they look to reset after last year’s frustration.
LAST THREE: WWL
MANCHESTER ORIGINALS BETTING ANALYSIS
As mentioned, it would usually be the Manchester Originals’ top order that is often their banker bet with both Salt and Buttler forming a formidable partnership for county, franchise and country. Even in the absence of the England white-ball captain, though, the Originals to have the highest opening stand in the game (10/11) would still be a good bet as Max Holden is expected to dovetail with the excellent Salt, who is probably even more suited to a 100-ball game, so Salt to be the top scorer in the match (5/1) would also be worth a shout.
In the bowling department, Old Trafford is renowned for being one of, if not the, most spin friendly pitches in England and the massive playing area also brings spinners into the game. As a result, Tom Hartley being the Originals’ top wicket taker in the match (5/1) on his home county ground would seem a good value bet.
WELSH FIRE BETTING ANALYSIS
The Welsh Fire top order has already been discussed but a couple of names not mentioned that will be expected to be threats in terms of their six-hitting capabilities would be Stephen Eskinazi and Luke Wells. However, as also mentioned, it is a large playing area at Old Trafford so running between the wickets will be key and, despite his leg break in late 2022, that remains a strong point of Jonny Bairstow’s game so Bairstow to be their best batter (10/3) would be worth looking at.
In terms of bowling, this one could also line up with being the so-called ‘match hero’. Since moving to Lancashire a few years ago, Luke Wells has supercharged a faltering cricket career and his ability to bowl spin has made him a very strong white-ball player, too. Six-hitting capabilities and taking wickets with catches in the deep could mark Wells out as a strong contender to be the Player of the Match (16/1).
MANCHESTER ORIGINALS VS WELSH FIRE EXPERT PREDICTION
Not to labour the point but the ground dimensions at Old Trafford mean that home advantage is quite significant up in Lancashire, as the Red Rose county have proven in the Twenty20 Blast in recent seasons. With a heavy Lancashire presence in the squad, that means the Originals, in theory, should be able to adapt to the conditions the quickest and in what is the most volatile domestic format around then that will surely give them the edge in their opening encounter this season.
MANCHESTER ORIGINALS VS WELSH FIRE TOP TIP: MANCHESTER ORIGINALS TO WIN
