Hollywood Stars Eye Stake in Welsh Fire Cricket Team

Hollywood Stars Eye Stake in Welsh Fire Cricket Team

Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny, co-owners of Wrexham AFC, are exploring the possibility of acquiring a stake in Welsh Fire, the Cardiff-based team in the Hundred. The duo’s interest stems from their successful investment in Wrexham, which has witnessed back-to-back promotions in English football.

The ECB has initiated the process of securing private investment in the Hundred, with Raine distributing prospectuses to potential investors. Glamorgan, Welsh Fire’s home ground, has the smallest capacity in the Hundred and is expected to be the cheapest franchise, valued at around £30 million.

Glamorgan has held discussions with various interested parties, including the owners of the Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League. However, the prospect of Reynolds and McElhenny’s involvement has generated significant intrigue. Dan Cherry, Glamorgan’s chief executive, described it as “an exciting proposition.”

While the majority of IPL franchises are expected to bid for stakes in Hundred teams, the ECB is keen to avoid replicating the SA20’s ownership model, where every team is IPL-owned. Private equity firms CVC and RedBird Capital are also reportedly interested, while Ineos is unlikely to bid.

Glamorgan believes its relatively low valuation and the even distribution of central broadcast revenue make it an attractive investment. Cherry emphasized the team’s unique identity as the only Welsh first-class county and its commitment to maintaining its Welsh heritage.

Glamorgan is open to partnerships that add value to the club, whether in cricket operations or commercial ventures. The club aims to find the right investor who supports its growth and on-field ambitions without compromising its independence.

Despite a mixed first year under head coach Grant Bradburn, Glamorgan’s financial position has improved, allowing it to focus on improving its cricket performance. Cherry believes the club is well-positioned to achieve its goals and produce players for England.

Southern Brave Secure Eliminator Spot Despite Rain-Hit Draw

Southern Brave Secure Eliminator Spot Despite Rain-Hit Draw

Southern Brave secured their spot in The Hundred Eliminator at the Kia Oval on Saturday, thanks to rain intervening at Utilita Bowl against an already-eliminated Welsh Fire. The Brave needed just a point to guarantee their presence in Saturday’s showdown, but at the halfway stage, with 181 posted by the Fire, they would have feared losing control of their destiny.

Two quick wickets – Alex Davies for a duck and then James Vince for 19 – further set the Brave back. But on the stroke of Vince’s dismissal, with rain falling steadily, the umpires took the players off. The rain never abated, and with just 16 balls having been bowled of the Brave’s innings – a minimum of 25 balls are required to deliver a result – the game was duly abandoned.

It was a bitter pill for the Fire to swallow. With the bat, they were irrepressible, with Luke Wells and Glenn Phillips especially destructive, sharing a 76-run partnership from just 30 balls to propel the Fire to their highest-ever score in the tournament’s history.

Wells, registering just his second fifty in the competition, took just 28 balls to reach the milestone, while Phillips was spectacular, clubbing five sixes – including one hit over square-leg against Jofra Archer that sailed 102 metres – from just 19 balls. In all, 10 sixes were struck across the Fire’s innings.

For the Brave, only Akeal Hosein escaped punishment, the West Indian left-armer conceding just 21 from his 20-ball quota. Ultimately, it was immaterial. Brave are through to face either Northern Superchargers or Birmingham Phoenix, with the latter’s game against Manchester Originals tomorrow determining the final placings at the top.

Brave skipper, James Vince, said: “Bowling first, things probably got away from us a bit. We were sloppy. Some good players got going and we weren’t able to shut them down, so it was always going to be a tough ask to chase that down.

“We had a few messages saying the weather might be on its way so it we had a few discussions about how to approach those first 25 balls; thankfully the rain came just in time.

“On the whole, across the tournament, the bowling group gets a lot of credit. They’re quality, experienced bowlers. Our batting goes under the radar a bit. We’d like a few more guys in form, but on the whole we’ve been reasonably consistent.”

Welsh Fire Cruise to Knockout Stage with Dominant Win over Southern Brave

Welsh Fire Cruise to Knockout Stage with Dominant Win over Southern Brave

Welsh Fire’s dominant performance against Southern Brave at the Utilita Bowl secured their place in The Hundred’s knockout stage. Barbadian all-rounder Hayley Matthews played a pivotal role, showcasing her exceptional skills with both bat and ball.

Matthews’ opening spell with the ball proved devastating for the Brave, as she claimed four wickets for just 14 runs. Her offbreaks proved too much for Danni Wyatt, Smriti Mandhana, Georgia Adams, and Maia Bouchier, leaving the Brave reeling at 15 for 4.

Jess Jonassen joined the wicket-taking party, dismissing Freya Kemp and Naomi Dattani, while Matthews returned to trap Kalea Moore in front. Chloe Tryon’s valiant 55 (38) provided some respite for the Brave, but the Fire’s bowlers kept the pressure on, restricting them to a modest total of 103.

In response, the Fire’s openers, Tammy Beaumont and Matthews, put on a batting masterclass. Beaumont’s 59* (40) was a display of power and finesse, while Matthews’ unbeaten 35 (31) showcased her ability to find the gaps. The pair shared a 72-run partnership, guiding the Fire to a comfortable nine-wicket victory with 26 balls to spare.

Matthews’ all-round brilliance has been a key factor in the Fire’s success this season. Her ability to contribute with both bat and ball has made her an invaluable asset to the team.

“We’ve been really good,” Matthews said. “We’ve got a lot of experience, and we’ve played on that really well. The bowlers have done a great job, and it’s been a complete team performance.”

The Fire’s victory puts them in a strong position to finish top of the standings and qualify automatically for the Hundred Final at Lord’s. They will face Trent Rockets on Wednesday afternoon, with a convincing win potentially securing them the top spot.

Birmingham Phoenix's Inspired Bowling Stuns Welsh Fire in The Hundred

Birmingham Phoenix’s Inspired Bowling Stuns Welsh Fire in The Hundred

Birmingham Phoenix’s inspired bowling performance propelled them to a thrilling nine-run victory over Welsh Fire, keeping their hopes alive in The Hundred. Skipper Ellyse Perry orchestrated the triumph, claiming two crucial wickets in succession to stifle the Fire’s chase.

Phoenix’s innings was anchored by Sterre Kalis, who overcame a cautious start to smash eight boundaries and reach her maiden half-century in the tournament. Despite Hayley Matthews’s economical off-spin, Phoenix’s total of 121 proved sufficient on a turning pitch.

Welsh Fire’s pursuit began promisingly, with Matthews and Jess Jonassen forging a 46-run partnership. However, Hannah Baker’s leg-spin proved decisive, dismissing Jonassen and Georgia Elwiss in quick succession. Katie Levick then claimed the crucial wicket of Matthews, leaving the Fire needing 14 runs from the final set.

Emily Arlott’s composed bowling sealed the victory for Phoenix, restricting the Fire to 112 for 8. Perry’s early wickets, coupled with the spinners’ suffocating control, proved too much for the Fire to overcome.

Kalis, named the Meerkat Match Hero, expressed her delight at her contribution and the team’s resilience. “I’m really happy with the opportunity to go in up top,” she said. “Credit to Pez [Perry] early on and then the spinners. It wasn’t the highest total to defend, but the bowlers did an amazing job to restrict them.”

With two games remaining, Phoenix remains in contention for a playoff spot. Their victory over Welsh Fire has injected fresh momentum into their campaign, showcasing their ability to overcome adversity and perform under pressure.

Welsh Fire Soar to Top of Women's Hundred with Convincing Win

Welsh Fire Soar to Top of Women’s Hundred with Convincing Win

Welsh Fire’s dominant performance at Sophia Gardens propelled them to the summit of the women’s Hundred standings, as they comfortably defeated Southern Brave by seven wickets.

Hayley Matthews’ exceptional bowling display, claiming three wickets for just 16 runs, proved instrumental in restricting Southern Brave to a meager total of 84. The Brave’s batting lineup struggled to cope with the seam and spin bowling, with none of their batters managing to establish a significant partnership.

Georgia Adams emerged as the top scorer for Southern Brave with a modest 17 runs, while Matthews’ all-around brilliance shone through. The West Indian all-rounder’s accurate bowling was complemented by a superb fielding effort, with Phoebe Franklin and Tammy Beaumont taking crucial catches to dismiss Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt, respectively.

Welsh Fire’s chase began cautiously, with Sophia Dunkley falling for a golden duck. However, Beaumont and Bryce steadily accumulated runs, gradually chipping away at the target. Beaumont’s dismissal by Lauren Cheatle, who was the most economical bowler for Southern Brave, left Jess Jonassen with the task of guiding Fire to victory.

Jonassen’s composed batting ensured Fire’s fourth win in this year’s Hundred, solidifying their position at the top of the table.

Matthews, the Meerkat Match Hero, attributed her success to precise bowling and the team’s collective effort. “I tried to pitch it in good areas and keep my lines straight,” she said. “There was some turn and bounce in the pitch, so I focused on keeping the stumps in play.”

“We’ve been playing well as a team and having everyone contribute,” Matthews added. “Getting the wicket from the first ball gave us a great start, and we just built on that momentum.”

Welsh Fire Extend Winning Streak with Controlled Chase over Trent Rockets

Welsh Fire Extend Winning Streak with Controlled Chase over Trent Rockets

Welsh Fire continued their impressive start to the Hundred with a controlled six-wicket victory over Trent Rockets, extending their winning streak to three matches.

Rockets captain Nat Sciver-Brunt elected to bat but faced an early setback as openers Bryony Smith and Grace Scrivens were dismissed in quick succession. The middle order, led by Sciver-Brunt and Ash Gardner, attempted to rebuild the innings, but Sciver-Brunt’s dismissal for 37 left the Rockets struggling. Gardner and Heather Graham pushed the score to 130, but the Fire bowlers, particularly Freya Davies and Jess Jonassen, kept them in check.

Welsh Fire’s chase also began with a shaky start, losing Sophia Dunkley and Tammy Beaumont early. However, Hayley Matthews and Sarah Bryce steadied the ship, forming a crucial partnership of 49. Sciver-Brunt struck again to remove Matthews, but Jonassen and Bryce maintained the momentum. Georgia Elwiss joined Bryce after Jonassen’s departure, and the pair added a further 44 runs.

Bryce remained unbeaten on 51 from 39 balls, guiding the Fire to victory with two balls to spare. “We knew if we just built partnerships together, there were runs out there,” Bryce said. “Jess is a great runner. Winning is a habit, and we have had some tight games when different people have stood up at different times.”

The victory consolidates Welsh Fire’s position near the top of the standings, while Trent Rockets’ third consecutive defeat leaves them in a precarious position.

Welsh Fire Chase Down Spirit's 150 to Secure First Defeat

Welsh Fire Chase Down Spirit’s 150 to Secure First Defeat

Welsh Fire’s relentless pursuit of 151 runs at Lord’s culminated in a thrilling six-wicket victory over London Spirit, marking the visitors’ highest-ever chase in the women’s Hundred. The triumph also snapped Spirit’s unbeaten streak in this year’s competition.

West Indies star Hayley Matthews emerged as the game-changer, blasting an unbeaten 78 off 46 deliveries, her highest score in the tournament. Her innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, featuring 11 boundaries and two towering sixes.

Spirit’s total of 150 for 5 was built on a late surge of aggression from Danni Gibson and Deepti Sharma. Gibson’s 25-ball 41 included six boundaries and a six, while Sharma’s unbeaten 39 off 26 balls showcased her power-hitting prowess.

Former Spirit right-armer Freya Davies played a crucial role for Fire, claiming the key wickets of Meg Lanning and Heather Knight. Her 2 for 19 helped restrict Spirit’s total.

The chase began with a setback for Fire as skipper Tammy Beaumont was trapped lbw by Tara Norris on review. However, Matthews’ brilliance kept the visitors in the hunt. She was dropped on 36, a costly error that proved pivotal.

With 69 runs needed from 40 balls, Matthews took control, finding the boundaries with ease. Eva Gray’s spilled chance when Matthews was on 36 proved costly, as the West Indian star went on to reach her half-century from 37 balls.

Despite losing Jess Jonassen to Sarah Glenn, Matthews continued to dominate, smashing Sharma for a straight six to leave 10 needed off nine. Fittingly, she sealed the victory with another boundary, securing a second win for Welsh Fire.

Spirit’s batting depth was on display as they chased a third straight win. Lanning’s 31 off 20 balls and Gibson’s 41 set the platform, while Sharma’s late fireworks added impetus.

Oval Invincibles Triumph Over Welsh Fire with Capsey's Brilliance

Oval Invincibles Triumph Over Welsh Fire with Capsey’s Brilliance

Oval Invincibles emerged victorious in their clash against Welsh Fire at Cardiff, securing a six-wicket triumph. England’s rising star, Alice Capsey, once again showcased her brilliance, contributing a well-crafted 59 runs to the Invincibles’ total.

Capsey’s innings, spanning 48 deliveries, featured seven boundaries. Her dismissal, a spectacular catch by Hayley Matthews off Freya Davies, came with 27 runs still required. However, all-rounders Marizanne Kapp (26*) and Mady Villiers (11*) stepped up to the plate, guiding the Invincibles to victory with 12 balls to spare.

The Invincibles’ chase faced an early setback with the dismissal of Lauren Winfield-Hill on the second ball. Paige Schofield and Capsey steadied the innings, reaching 37 for 1 after 20 balls. Capsey survived a crucial drop by Ismail off Jess Jonassen and went on to reach her half-century from 42 deliveries.

Welsh Fire, who elected to bat first, struggled to gain momentum. Tammy Beaumont departed early, followed by the dangerous Hayley Matthews. Sophia Dunkley’s 35 from 26 balls provided some resistance, but Amanda-Jade Wellington’s dismissal of Dunkley and Jonassen’s unbeaten 32 from 22 balls left Welsh Fire with a below-par total of 116 for 5.

Capsey, named the Meerkat Match Hero, expressed her satisfaction with her performance, highlighting the importance of capitalizing on the pace in the powerplay and building partnerships. She also emphasized her improved calmness, which has contributed to her success.

Dunkley's Heroics Guide Welsh Fire to Victory Over Manchester Originals

Dunkley’s Heroics Guide Welsh Fire to Victory Over Manchester Originals

Welsh Fire emerged victorious over Manchester Originals in a thrilling encounter at Emirates Old Trafford, securing a seven-wicket triumph in the Hundred. Sophia Dunkley’s masterful 69 from 47 deliveries proved pivotal in guiding her side to victory, despite a mid-innings wobble.

Manchester Originals posted a modest total of 113 for 7, with captain Sophie Ecclestone’s late cameo of 27 from 15 balls providing a glimmer of hope. However, Welsh Fire’s bowling attack, led by Jess Jonassen’s three wickets, kept the Originals in check.

Dunkley’s innings was a masterclass in adaptability. She initially struggled to time the ball, but as she settled into her rhythm, she began to find the boundaries with ease. Her calculated risks against Ecclestone in the final overs proved decisive, as she guided Welsh Fire to victory with four balls to spare.

Ecclestone’s innings had earlier given the Originals a fighting chance. Her lusty blows for six showcased her power-hitting prowess. However, the Originals’ batting lineup failed to capitalize on the solid start provided by Laura Woolvardt and Beth Mooney, who had raced to a 58-run partnership.

Dunkley’s half-century continued a trend of England Women’s players excelling in the Hundred. Her performance echoed the sentiments of head coach Jon Lewis, who had challenged his players to dominate the competition.

“It got a bit closer than we thought,” admitted Dunkley after the match. “I didn’t feel in the innings for the first half. But once you got the pace of the wicket, it was easier. At the end, I had to take some calculated risks, and luckily we got over the line.”

Welsh Fire’s victory was a testament to their resilience and determination. They overcame a mid-innings slump and executed their game plan with precision. As they look ahead to the rest of the Hundred, they will be confident in their ability to challenge for the title.

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