Cricket

Welsh Fire and Oval Invincibles Gear Up for an Epic Showdown in The Hundred

July 30, 2024

©thehundred

The fourth edition of The Hundred tournament is gaining momentum with every game, and all eight teams participating in this contest have played at least one game so far in the ongoing event. The sixth match of the competition will see Welsh Fire and Oval Invincibles locking horns at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on July 28.

Both Invincibles and Fire started The Hundred campaign on a high note, winning their respective inaugural match. With plenty of star players featuring on both sides, it’s going to be an engrossing contest.

With both sides eyeing to continue their winning ways, it’s time to delve into the top players, pitch reports, and match predictions of this enthralling contest.

Sophia Gardens, Cardiff Pitch Report

The pitch at Sophia Gardens has true bounce and batters can get used to the conditions quickly. Pacers are likely to get some early movement with the ball but the ball will come onto the bat nicely as the game progresses. A total of over 140 would be a good total on this pitch.

Sophia Gardens, Cardiff Pitch Stats (T20)

Total Matches: 10
Matches won batting first: 3
Matches won bowling first: 7
Average 1st innings Score: 145
Average 2nd innings Score: 138
Highest total recorded: 207/3 (20 Ovs) By RSA vs ENG
Lowest total recorded: 89/10 (18.4 Ovs) By PAK vs ENG

WF vs OI Head-to-Head

Both sides have squared off thrice in The Hundred’s history, with the Oval Invincibles emerging victorious on two occasions, while one game ended in a tie.

WF vs OI Top Players Predictions

Will Jacks (OI): The right-handed swashbuckler is a dangerous player in the Invincibles camp and can tear apart any bowling attack. Jacks faltered in the Invincibles’ first game of The Hundred, and he will look to get back into his rhythm in this contest.

Adam Zampa (OI): The Aussie player started his The Hundred campaign on a high note, grabbing three wickets in Invincibles’ inaugural match. Zampa can play a crucial role in containing runs in the middle phase and extracting wickets.

David Willey (WF): The 34-year-old was awarded Hero of the Match in Welsh Fire’s previous game against the Originals. Willey wreaked havoc with the ball, grabbing three crucial wickets while conceding just 14 runs. He can also contribute with the bat and is a vital cog in the Welsh Fire camp.

WF vs OI Hit or Miss Prediction

Jonny Bairstow (WF): The wicket-keeper batter has blown hot and cold in recent times, but he is unstoppable when he finds his footing. Bairstow’s form with the bat will play a crucial role for Welsh Fire in this Hundred event, and he is likely to give some hammering to the Invincibles in this contest.

WF vs OI Conditions-based Predictions

Bowling first should be a good option
Batters will enjoy their time at this venue
Pacers can dominate with the new ball

The Hundred: WF vs OI Match Predictions

Pacers will get some lateral movement with the new ball, and both Welsh Fire and Oval Invincibles might lose their first wicket under 20.5 (1.87) and 22.5 runs (1.87), respectively. Will Jacks will likely regain his momentum and might score over 20.5 runs (1.85) in this contest. The pitch will get better for batting as the game progresses, so for that reason, the total wickets in this match are likely to remain under 13.5 (1.80). The Odds.