Hundred 2024: David Willey Sets Tone As Welsh Fire Defeats Manchester Originals In A Quick 100 Ball Match.

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David Willey, David Payne and Josh Little took 6 for 46 between them from their 60 balls, reducing the Originals, without injured captain Jos Buttler, to 4 for 3, then 26 for 5 and 37 for 7. David Willey shined with the ball picking up 3 wickets as Manchester Originals were bundled out quickly.

Welsh Fire strolled to victory against Manchester Originals in record time in the Hundred, inspired by their trio of left-arm pace bowlers who derailed the home team’s batting effort before it ever got going. Manchester Originals had no answer to the trio especially David Willey – who also registered 36 dot balls amongst their 60 balls of carnage – as they consistently hit heavy lengths at good pace on a pitch that never looked easy to bat on.

Pitch and Toss

The surface at Old Trafford in Manchester generally offer favorable batting conditions. The pitch is expected to be flat with an even pace and bounce. So, after playing out the first couple of sets carefully, the batters can go berserk to score at a rapid pace. On the other hand, the pacers will rely on their accuracy and variations to succeed. If it’s a dry wicket, the spinners might get a hint of turn, especially in the latter half. Considering it’s the first game at this venue, the toss-winner might opt to field first.

Welsh Fires skipper Tom Abell won the toss and chose to field having players like Jonny Bairstow to their squad. Manchester Originals skipper Phil Salt batting first will miss the likes of Jos Buttler in this encounter.

David Willey sets tone as Manchester Originals reached 86 runs after 100 balls

David Willey, David Payne and Josh Little took 6 for 46 between them from their 60 balls, reducing the Originals, without injured captain Jos Buttler, to 4 for 3, then 26 for 5 and 37 for 7.

Manchester Originals Batting Line Up. Pic Credits: ESPNCricinfo
Manchester Originals Batting Line Up. Pic Credits: ESPNCricinfo

Manchester Originals had no answer to the trio – who also registered 36 dot balls amongst their 60 balls of carnage – as they consistently hit heavy lengths at good pace on a pitch that never looked easy to bat on.

Jamie Overton and Scott Currie hung around with the bat for long enough to prevent Originals posting the lowest ever total in the men’s Hundred, but their eventual score of 86 for 8 was at best an exercise in saving face.

Welsh Fire Bowling Line Up. Pic Credits: ESPNcricinfo
Welsh Fire Bowling Line Up. Pic Credits: ESPNcricinfo

Phil Salt, standing in for Buttler as Originals skipper, was out for a duck to the second ball of the match, caught at cover off former England all-rounder David Willey, who then dismissed Max Holden (2) and Paul Walter (0) from the 14th and 15th deliveries of the game respectively en route to figures of 3-14 from 20 balls.

Welsh Fires completed the win over Manchester Originals in 57 balls

Welsh Fire’s target of 87 seemed academic and it proved as such, knocked off with a record 43 balls to spare, for the loss of just Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Jonny Bairstow. Fire cantered to their target in 57 balls with Jonny Bairstow – recently dropped from England’s Test team – making 18 from 10 balls at the top of the order and Joe Clarke cracking 33 not out from 24 deliveries.

It was the perfect start for Mike Hussey’s Welsh Fire and it sealed a double win for the Cardiff-based side after their women’s team’s success earlier in the day.

Welsh Fire Batting Line Up. Pic Credits: ESPNcricinfo
Welsh Fire Batting Line Up. Pic Credits: ESPNcricinfo

The lowest men’s score in The Hundred is the 75 Birmingham Phoenix were shot out for by Originals at Edgbaston in 2022 and Originals – beaten finalists in the previous two years – scrambled past that thanks to contributions from Jamie Overton (23 off 25) and Scott Currie (26no off 25).

Manchester Originals Bowling Line Up. Pic Credits:  ESPNCricinfo
Manchester Originals Bowling Line Up. Pic Credits: ESPNCricinfo

But that total did not tax Fire, who registered the largest victory margin in terms of deliveries remaining in the history of the men’s competition, eclipsing the 41 balls that were left when they were thrashed by Southern Brave last August. Fire’s win was teed up by the bowlers, with Willey supported by fellow left-armers Josh Little (2-21) – who had only recently arrived in the country after playing Major League Cricket in Dallas – and David Payne (1-11), plus leg-spinner Mason Crane (1-19) and right-arm seamer Jake Ball (1-20).

Presentations and Road Ahead

Meerkat Player of the Match for his 3 wickets David Willey said : “We wanted to start the tournament well. We talked about setting the tone and fortunately I got Salty [Phil Salt] out early on there and we got a nice start.

“I guess the swinging ball [is why the left-armers are dangerous]. These balls have been a little bit inconsistent in practice, some have swung and some haven’t. I think left-armers swinging the ball back is always dangerous.

“We all want to do our strengths well, and the communication between us out there is really good as well. Credit to the backroom staff, they’ve put a good squad of bowlers together and we all complement each other nicely.

“Last year was great fun, probably my most enjoyable month of the year. The staff have put together a great group of guys who enjoy each other’s company off the field as well as on the field, and I think that contributes to our success.”

Thumping win for Welsh Fire. The target of 87 was never going to be enough and when the early wickets did not come, it was a stroll for the Fire. The job was done earlier with the ball and Fire helped themselves to some batting practice. An off-day for the Originals and they would want to brush this game off as a bad one. Fire on the other hand will be thrilled that they have gotten off to such a fine start.

The Hundred continues on Friday as Northern Superchargers take on Trent Rockets at Headingly.

Also Read: IND vs ENG: “Side Arm Specialists In India Need To Work Hard To Prepare Batters For Tough Times”- Abhishek Jain Gives His Invaluable Insights

 

 


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