The Hundred 2022, men's match preview: Trent Rockets v Welsh Fire

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

The Cricketer | 28/08/2022 at 17:13

What's the match?

Trent Rockets take on Welsh Fire in the latest game of the 2022 men's Hundred.

When is it taking place?

The match is scheduled to commence at 7pm BST on Monday, August 29.

Where is the match being played?

This match will take place at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

Who's got the form?

This looks like being the biggest mismatch of the tournament to date. Trent Rockets sit pretty in the race for a top-three place, with five wins from their seven outings so far. Rockets did, however, slip up in their most recent game - against the previously misfiring Southern Brave.

Set 143 to win, they could only manage 138 for 6 in reply.

Still, even despite that defeat, they are heavy favourites to win this match, given Welsh Fire's wretched run in 2022. Fire have not won any of their seven matches to date, and have one last chance to get points on the board.

They have struggled most with the bat. When batting first, which has happened on three occasions, Fire have lost by nine, 16 and 18 balls - highlighting a distinct lack of runs. When chasing, they've fallen short by 47, 39 and 17 runs - veritable hammerings in a 100-ball game. Just once, against Birmingham Phoenix, have spectators seen a close match involving Fire in 2022 (a four-run loss).

rocketsfiremenpre28082201

^{Trent Rockets are flying in The Hundred [Getty Images]}

What's the team news?

Welsh Fire will debate bringing Tom Banton back into their side. Banton was left out against Northern Superchargers in Fire's most recent, miserable defeat - quite a statement by the team's management on the form of their £125,000 draft pick. Jacob Bethell, the England Under-19 international, was preferred against Superchargers.

The entire top order has been shooting blanks, with the middle order often rescuing innings from a state of total paralysis. Just look at this mess: David Miller has 68 runs from six innings at a strike rate of 88, Joe Clarke has 87 from seven at 91, Banton has 74 from five at 101, Josh Cobb has 28 from seven at 90. Only Ben Duckett has produced any sort of form. With the team's leading batsmen so off-form, it has proved impossible for management to pick a side that can be competitive.

Rockets, meanwhile, are without any fresh injury concerns. Rashid Khan is not expected to be available for this fixture, given Afghanistan have a T20I against Bangladesh on Tuesday. Tabraiz Shamsi will fill in.

What's the key match-up?

Are there any miracle-workers out there with a couple of hours spare on their bank holiday Monday evening? Fire need one to stand any sort of chance, especially given the power-packed nature of the Rockets' top order, their form (Dawid Malan has 300 runs at a strike rate of 175 and average of 60, Alex Hales has 213 at 160 and 30, Colin Munro has 168 at 162 and 42).

Between them, Rockets' lineup has made seven half-centuries in the 2022 Hundred, Fire's have one - Duckett, unsurprisingly. There needs to be a huge shift in fortune and form between the two batting setups for this to even be close.

Can I get tickets?

This match is sold out.

What's the weather forecast?

A cool 18 degrees Celsius and overcast at the time of the first delivery, with minimal chance of rain.

What are the squads?

Trent Rockets: Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Colin Munro, Ian Cockbain, Luke Fletcher, Matt Carter, Sam Cook, Marchant de Lange, Lewis Gregory, Alex Hales, Rashid Khan, Dawid Malan, Tom Moores, Steven Mullaney, Samit Patel, Luke Wood, Daniel Sams, Ben Mike

Welsh Fire: Joe Clarke, Tom Banton, Ish Sodhi, David Miller, Sam Hain, Jake Ball, Josh Cobb, Matt Critchley, Ben Duckett, Leus du Plooy, Ryan Higgins, David Payne, Jacob Bethell, Noor Ahmad, George Scrimshaw, Dwaine Pretorius

rocketsfiremenpre28082202

^{Welsh Fire have lost all seven of their matches [Getty Images]}

What are the possible starting XIs?

Trent Rockets: Dawid Malan, Alex Hales, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Colin Munro, Samit Patel, Tom Moores, Lewis Gregory, Daniel Sams, Luke Wood, Sam Cook, Tabraiz Shamsi

Welsh Fire: Joe Clarke, Jacob Bethell, Ben Duckett, David Miller, Josh Cobb, Leus du Plooy, Matt Critchley, Dwaine Pretorius, Ryan Higgins, David Payne, Ish Sodhi