The Hundred Men's 2025 Match Preview: Welsh Fire vs Southern Brave – August 20, 2025

Venue: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Time: 15:00 GMT
Match: Match 21 of The Hundred Men's Competition
Competition: The Hundred (Men’s)
Series: Welsh Fire vs Southern Brave

📅 Match Overview

In a crucial mid-table clash of The Hundred Men’s Competition, the Welsh Fire will host the Southern Brave at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 15:00 GMT. With both teams vying to push further up the ladder, this encounter is expected to be a high-octane, fast-paced battle of skill and strategy.

The Fire are currently languishing at the bottom of the table with 4 points from 4 matches, while the Brave sit comfortably in the top half with 8 points from 5 games. This match presents a pivotal opportunity for the Welsh Fire to climb up the standings and reignite their playoff hopes.

🏏 Team Form and Momentum

Welsh Fire (4 points from 4 matches)

Despite possessing a world-class batting line-up featuring the likes of Jonny Bairstow and David Warner, the Fire have struggled to find consistency. Their only win in four games has left them at the foot of the table, and they are in a must-win situation.

Key issues for the Fire include inconsistent bowling and a middle order that has often failed to capitalize on a strong start. If the Fire are to spring a surprise, they will need a top-order explosion and tight death bowling to restrict the Brave.

• Jonny Bairstow has been in scintillating form, with 178 runs in 4 innings at a strike rate of 171.15.
• Riley Meredith is a key bowler, with 9 wickets in just 3 games at an economy of 7.23.
• Chris Green offers all-round value with 109 runs and 4 wickets.

Southern Brave (8 points from 5 matches)

The Brave have had a mixed campaign, with 2 wins and 3 losses. Their inconsistency has been a concern, but they remain in the playoff picture. A win here would solidify their position and give them the confidence to push for the top half.

• Laurie Evans has been in blistering form, scoring 128 runs in 4 innings at a strike rate of 148.84, including a 106.
• Tymal Mills is their leading wicket-taker, with 9 wickets in 5 games, and is a death-overs specialist.
• Leus du Plooy has provided stability in the middle order with 141 runs in 5 games, including 7 sixes.

🔍 Head-to-Head Record (Last 5 Matches)

• Southern Brave have dominated this rivalry, winning 4 out of the last 5 matches.
• The Brave will be confident of continuing this trend, especially with their strong batting firepower and consistent bowling.

🏟️ Venue Analysis: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Sophia Gardens is a venue known for producing balanced contests. The 2025 season has seen an average first innings score of 150.0, and the pitch is expected to be a good batting track with a slight edge to the fast bowlers.

• Fast bowlers average 19.13 with an economy of 7.72.
• Spin bowlers average 25.50 with an economy of 8.10.
• The win percentage is almost equal whether batting first or second (56.3% vs 43.75%).

The Fire will need to make the most of a potential batting-friendly track, while the Brave must ensure they don’t let a strong Fire chase slip through their fingers.

⚔️ Key Match-Up Insights

• Jonny Bairstow vs Tymal Mills: A battle between the Fire's explosive opener and the Brave’s death-overs enforcer.
• Laurie Evans vs Riley Meredith: A high-stakes duel between two of the competition’s most dangerous all-rounders.
• Fielding and Death Bowling: The Brave’s ability to close games with tight death overs could be the difference in a tight chase.

📈 Players to Watch

🎯 Match Prediction

The Southern Brave are slight favorites in this encounter, especially with their superior recent form and strong head-to-head record. However, the Welsh Fire have the firepower to upset the odds if they can capitalize on a good start and restrict the Brave’s scoring in the death.

With Bairstow in red-hot form and Meredith’s ability to swing the game in the late overs, the Fire will be looking to pull off a surprise win.

Predicted Winner: Southern Brave
Score Prediction: Southern Brave 178 for 5, Welsh Fire 173 for 7

📺 Where to Watch

• Live Streaming: The Hundred’s official website and app
• TV Broadcast: Available on Sky Sports and The Hundred’s broadcast partners in the UK and globally

🕘 Final Verdict

This is a must-watch match for fans of high-scoring, explosive cricket. With both teams boasting star-studded line-ups and the venue offering a balanced contest, the Welsh Fire vs Southern Brave clash promises to be a thrilling encounter in The Hundred 2025.

Let the battle begin! ⚔️🔥