The Hundred 2023, men's match preview: Birmingham Phoenix v Welsh Fire

Team news, key match-ups, TV and streaming information, weather forecast, odds, form rundown, start times, venue, squad lists and more

Joe Turner | 09/08/2023 at 11:34

What's the match?

Birmingham Phoenix host Welsh Fire in the next match of the men's Hundred 2023.

When is it taking place?

The game is due to start at 6.30pm BST on Thursday, August 10.

Where is the match taking place?

Birmingham Phoenix's home ground is Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Who's got the form?

After bad weather saw the abandonment of their first two games, Birmingham Phoenix failed to beat Manchester Originals on Monday at Old Trafford in what was effectively their opening game of the campaign. Adam Milne and Benny Howell were the standouts for Phoenix, with the latter claiming three wickets.

Rather surprisingly, Phoenix let themselves down with the bat; despite the explosive nature of their top order, which includes batting powerhouses such as Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone, they only managed to post a total of 111, 49 runs short of the Originals' 160.

Unlike Phoenix, Welsh Fire have played all three of their games so far in The Hundred, and they've been one of the most entertaining sides to watch.

In their opening game against the Originals, Fire put on a fine display with both ball and bat. Despite losing to Southern Brave on Friday, they once again batted and bowled well and but for the individual brilliance of Chris Jordan, Fire would have won the game. On Sunday, they tied with Oval Invincibles in the most entertaining game of this year's Hundred.

Joe Clarke starred with the bat, hitting an unbeaten 69, while Shaheen Afridi continues to be deadly with the ball.

What's the key matchup?

The powerplay will be crucial for both teams given their destructive top orders. Welsh Fire possess the batting power of Luke Wells and Joe Clarke, who have both hit high scores in this year's Hundred.

Phoenix have one of the biggest hitters in the global game, in the form of Liam Livingstone, on top of Ben Duckett and Moeen Ali, two extremely aggressive batsmen. Even though, on paper, Phoenix edge Fire ever so slightly with the bat, it's a different story with the ball. Welsh Fire have an extremely strong bowling attack, and the likes of Shaheen Afridi, David Willey and Haris Rauf will be pivotal to picking up the important wickets of Livingstone, Ali and Duckett.

bpwfpre09082303

^{Birmingham Phoenix take on Welsh Fire [ECB/Getty Images]}

Can I get tickets?

There are still tickets remaining for this match but availability is described as limited.

Tickets can be found by visiting The Hundred's website.

What's the weather forecast?

A bright and sunny day in the West Midlands. Temperatures topping out at 25 degrees Celsius.

What are the squads?

Birmingham Phoenix: Chris Woakes, Ben Duckett, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Shadab Khan (Tanveer Sangha from August 14), Adam Milne, Benny Howell, Will Smeed, Kane Richardson, Jamie Smith, Tom Helm, Miles Hammond, Chris Benjamin, Dan Mousley, Henry Brookes, Jacob Bethell

Welsh Fire: Jonny Bairstow, Tom Abell, David Willey, Shaheen Afridi (Lockie Ferguson from August 15), Joe Clarke, Glenn Phillips, Ben Green, Haris Rauf (Matt Henry from August 15), David Payne, Roelof van der Merwe, Jake Ball, Stephen Eskinazi, Dan Douthwaite, George Scrimshaw, Luke Wells, Chris Cooke

What's the team news?

No fresh injury concerns for either side. Chris Woakes could be available for Birmingham Phoenix. Jonny Bairstow's availability for Welsh Fire is unclear.

What are the possible starting XIs?

Birmingham Phoenix: Will Smeed, Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith, Dan Mousley, Shadab Khan, Benny Howell, Adam Milne, Tom Helm, Kane Richardson

Welsh Fire: Joe Clarke, Luke Wells, Stephen Eskinazi, Tom Abell, Glenn Phillips, David Willey, Ben Green, Shaheen Afridi, Roelof van der Merwe, David Payne, Haris Rauf

What are the odds?

Coming soon.

bpwfpre09082304

^{Welsh Fire tied with Oval Invincibles [ECB/Getty Images]}

What's the prediction?

This is the battle of the fearsome batting lineup versus the fearsome bowling attack. Whoever wins the Afridi/Rauf v Livingstone/Smeed/Moeen duel wins the game. Away win.