The Hundred 2022, men's match preview: Welsh Fire v Southern Brave

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

The Cricketer | 21/08/2022 at 15:18

What's the match?

Welsh Fire host Southern Brave in the latest game of the men's Hundred in 2022.

When is it taking place?

The match is scheduled to start at 6.30pm BST on Monday, August 22.

Where is the match being played?

Cardiff's Sophia Gardens is the venue, with this match the second slice of a doubleheader that follows the women's fixture between the same teams.

Who's got the form?

This is a clash between the bottom two sides in the men's table.

Welsh Fire are bidding to avoid losing a fifth game in a row, after a 100 per cent losing start to the campaign.

Having been without Jonny Bairstow from the outset, the Cardiff-based franchise are yet to get off the mark.

They opened the season with a nine-wicket defeat to Brave at The Ageas Bowl, after making just 107 for 7 from their full allocation.

Brave chase down the target with 31 balls remaining but that remains their only victory as their title defence has blown up.

They've since lost a repeat of last year's final to Birmingham Phoenix, before being swatted aside by London Spirit, Oval Invincibles and Manchester Originals.

Injury has played a major role in their struggles, with the already sidelined Jofra Archer joined by Tymal Mills and Chris Jordan.

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^{Ish Sodhi (Randy Brooks/AFP via Getty Images)}

What's the team news?

Both teams have lost players to Australia's ODI series against Zimbabwe. Adam Zampa has left Welsh Fire while Marcus Stoinis' spell at Southern Brave has come to an end.

Brave have brought back Paul Stirling after his winning contribution in 2021. He struck 61 in the final win over Birmingham Phoenix and give some much-needed power to the top-order.

Ish Sodhi arrives in Cardiff fresh from playing for New Zealand in the West Indies and is expected to drop straight into the first XI. He has 239 T20 wickets in 211 matches.

What's the key match-up?

With the Brave seam attack having been gutted by injuries and absences, George Garton will take the new ball at Sophia Gardens.

The Brighton-native has only taken a single wicket in three Hundred outings but he is likely to get a full run in the competition given the lack of alternative options.

But the Sussex left-armer is anything but a downgrade from the likes of Mills and Jordan, having played a vital role in Brave's run to the title in 2021.

The Fire top-order has been one of their areas of weakness during the season after Bairstow was a late withdrawal.

Ben Duckett leads the way with 97 runs in four innings, while Tom Banton (68 at 17) Joe Clarke (47 at 11.75) and Sam Hain (37 at 12.33) haven't fired either.

Can I get tickets?

There are still tickets remaining for this match.

What's the weather forecast?

Following some afternoon rain, the inclement weather is expected to clear in the early evening meaning we should have an uninterrupted game.

What are the squads?

Welsh Fire: Joe Clarke, Tom Banton, Adam Zampa, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius (replaced Naseem Shah - withdrew August 4), Sam Hain, Jake Ball, Josh Cobb, Matt Critchley, Ben Duckett, Leus du Plooy, Ryan Higgins, David Payne, Ollie Pope, Jacob Bethell, Noor Ahmad, George Scrimshaw

Southern Brave: Jofra Archer, Tim David, Alex Davies, George Garton, Chris Jordan (withdrawn due to injury, August 16), Jake Lintott, Sonny Baker (replaced Tymal Mills - injured, August 13), Beuran Hendricks (replaces Craig Overton while on international duty), Paul Stirling (replaces Marcus Stoinis while on international duty), James Vince, Ross Whiteley, Rehan Ahmed, Joe Weatherley, Dan Moriarty, Finn Allen, Micheal Hogan, James Fuller (replaced Quinton de Kock)

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^{Paul Stirling is back for Southern Brave (Stu Forster/Getty Images)}

What are the possible starting XIs?

Welsh Fire: Joe Clarke, Tom Bantom, Sam Hain, Ben Duckett, David Miller, Josh Cobb, Dwaine Pretorius, Matt Critchley, Ish Sodhi David Payne, George Scrimshaw

Southern Brave: Quinton de Kock, Paul Stirling, James Vince (c), Alex Davies, Tim David, Ross Whiteley, James Fuller, George Garton, Rehan Ahmed, Jake Lintott, Michael Hogan