The Hundred returns to Cardiff on Wednesday 20 August 2025 when Welsh Fire Men host Southern Brave Men in match 21 of the 2025 competition. The 100‑ball contest at Sophia Gardens starts at 3:00 PM BST (7:30 PM IST), and with both teams mid‑table a win is crucial for their playoff hopes.
Welsh Fire have been inconsistent, pairing a morale‑boosting win over Manchester Originals with heavy defeats. Southern Brave opened with a nine‑wicket stroll against Birmingham Phoenix but then lost three on the bounce. The clash in Cardiff feels like a pivotal one for both sides.
Form Guide
Welsh Fire Men
Welsh Fire have been entertaining but inconsistent. Their top order has posted competitive totals and the bowling attack has produced match‑winning spells, yet lapses in execution have cost them. Playing at home should inspire them, but they need to tighten up in the field and finish innings more clinically.
- Lost narrowly to London Spirit (9 Aug): Fire pushed Spirit all the way but fell just short.
- Beat Manchester Originals (13 Aug): A disciplined bowling performance complemented a solid total to secure a home victory.
- Hammered by Oval Invincibles (16 Aug): A heavy defeat exposed the gulf to the league’s frontrunners.
Southern Brave Men
Southern Brave began the tournament strongly but have slipped into a worrying losing run. Their batting has been stable, yet defending totals has proved difficult and the death bowling has lacked consistency. They will need their experienced players to stand up in Cardiff.
- Beat Birmingham Phoenix comfortably (10 Aug): A straightforward chase gave Brave their first win.
- Edged out by Northern Superchargers (13 Aug): A last‑ball defeat highlighted their inability to close out games.
- Back‑to‑back losses to Rockets and Invincibles (16 & 18 Aug): Modest totals meant they were beaten comprehensively in both fixtures.
Key Players
Welsh Fire Men
- Jonny Bairstow (keeper‑batter): Fire’s leading run‑scorer and chief aggressor; his fast starts set the tone.
- Tom Kohler‑Cadmore (batter): An explosive striker who complements Bairstow and can change the game in a few deliveries.
- Matt Henry (pace bowler): New‑Zealand seamer who swings the new ball and bowls incisive yorkers at the death.
Southern Brave Men
- James Vince (captain & opener): Classy opener who anchors the innings and accelerates late.
- Leus du Plooy (middle‑order batter): Versatile left‑hander who steadies the middle overs and clears the ropes when needed.
- Tymal Mills (fast bowler): Left‑arm quick with deceptive slower balls and a knack for crucial wickets.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Sophia Gardens generally produces balanced contests. Early on there’s pace and bounce for seamers, but once set, batters can exploit the short boundaries. Par scores hover around the mid‑160s and there’s little bias to batting first or second.
Cardiff’s weather in mid‑August is typically mild. Temperatures around 20 °C and partly cloudy skies are expected, with only a slight chance of showers.
Welsh Fire Men vs Southern Brave Men – Prediction
Fire’s hopes rest on Bairstow and Kohler‑Cadmore firing and Matt Henry striking early with the ball. Their bowling depth remains a concern.
Brave boast greater depth across batting and bowling, with Vince anchoring and Mills leading a potent pace attack. Despite recent losses they seem the more balanced outfit.
Southern Brave therefore start as slight favourites, but at home Fire cannot be written off. Expect a tight match where one big partnership or a burst of wickets could decide the result.
Dream 11 Fantasy Picks
- Jonny Bairstow (WF, wicketkeeper‑batter): In red‑hot form with a strike‑rate near 150, Bairstow offers runs and dismissal points and will be the fantasy team’s captain.
- James Vince (SB, batter): The Brave skipper is reliable at the top and can anchor the chase; his ability to play spin and pace makes him an ideal vice‑captain choice.
- Tymal Mills (SB, bowler): With 17 wickets and variations that trouble batsmen at Cardiff, Mills is a must‑pick for wickets and economy rate points.
