A contest of revival and redemption is set to unfold at the iconic Kennington Oval as the Oval Invincibles, led by the experienced Lauren Winfield-Hill, lock horns with a struggling Welsh Fire outfit under the leadership of Tammy Beaumont. The stakes are high as both sides are desperate to breathe life into their campaigns in this fifth edition of The Hundred.
For the Invincibles, the season began under a cloud with back-to-back defeats, a 17-run loss to the London Spirit and a heartbreaking two-run setback against Manchester Originals. However, they found some sparkle in their third outing, securing a convincing 22-run victory over Birmingham Phoenix to climb to fifth place on the points table with 4 points. That win has rekindled hope, but the pressure remains to find consistency.
Across the dugout, Welsh Fire have endured an even rockier path, three consecautive defeats, starting with a heavy 47-run drubbing at the hands of Northern Superchargers, followed by another agonising 2-run loss to London Spirit, and a 7-wicket defeat against Manchester Originals. Rooted to the bottom of the table, Beaumont’s side now faces a must-win scenario to keep their hopes of securing a spot in the knockouts alive.
Head-to-Head Record:
In their brief history of encounters, Welsh Fire hold the edge with two wins from three meetings, while the Invincibles have managed a solitary victory in this rivalry. That edge could play a psychological role, but history alone won’t be enough; both teams know this clash is about form, fight, and finding momentum at a crucial juncture in the tournament.
Squads:
Oval Invincibles:
Lauren Winfield-Hill ©, Alice Capsey, Tash Farrant, Phoebe Franklin, Jo Gardner, Daisy Gibb, Marizanne Kapp, Kalea Moore, Meg Lanning, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Rebecca Odgers, Paige Scholfield, Rachel Slater, Sophia Smale, and Amanda-Jade Wellington.
Welsh Fire:
Tammy Beaumont ©, Sarah Bryce, Freya Davies, Georgia Davies, Sophia Dunkley, Georgia Elwiss, Katie George, Alex Griffiths, Shabnim Ismail, Jess Jonassen, Beth Langston, Katie Levick, and Emily Windsor.
Players to Watch Out For:
Marizanne Kapp (Oval Invincibles):
South African star Marizanne Kapp continues to showcase her all-round brilliance in The Hundred 2025. With the ball, she has been the Invincibles’ go-to performer, claiming 5 wickets in three innings at an impressive average of 13.40 and an economy of just 6.70. Equally valuable with the bat, Kapp has chipped in with 65 runs at a blazing strike rate of 144.44 and an average of 32.50, adding stability and firepower to the middle order. Her ability to change games in both departments makes her a crucial asset heading into this clash against Welsh Fire.
Alice Capsey (Oval Invincibles):
Dynamic and fearless, Alice Capsey has been in sparkling form with the bat for the Invincibles in this fifth edition of The Women’s Hundred. In just three innings, she has amassed 91 runs at a blistering strike rate of 162.50 and an average of 30.33, including a superb half-century that underlined her match-winning potential. While she hasn’t featured heavily with the ball so far this season, Capsey’s explosive batting at the top makes her a key weapon in her side’s push for momentum.
Hayley Matthews (Welsh Fire):
West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has been a standout performer for Welsh Fire despite the team’s struggles in this year’s competition. With the bat, she has contributed 53 runs in three innings at an average of 17.66 and a strike rate of 88.33, providing stability at the top. However, it’s with the ball that Matthews has made the biggest impact, claiming 5 wickets in three innings at a superb average of 10.60 and an economy of just 5.78. She is currently her side’s joint-highest wicket-taker alongside Freya Davies and sits as the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament. Her all-round ability will be crucial if Welsh Fire are to spark a comeback.
Shabnim Ismal (Welsh Fire):
The seasoned 36-year-old South African speedster Shabnim Ismail brings invaluable experience and firepower to Welsh Fire’s bowling attack in this fifth edition of The Women’s Hundred. While she has managed just 1 wicket in three innings so far, conceding at an economy of 7.39, her raw pace and ability to rattle batters remain key assets for her side. With the bat, Ismail has chipped in with 10 runs at a strike rate of 62.50 in two innings. Welsh Fire will be counting on their veteran quick to rediscover her wicket-taking form and provide early breakthroughs in this crucial fixture.
Pitch Report:
The Kennington Oval promises an intriguing contest, a venue known for its balanced surface but with a slight bias towards pacers (26 wickets in the last five matches) while still offering enough grip for spinners (21 wickets in the same period). With an average first-innings score of 134 here in recent games, fans can expect a high-scoring battle if the top orders find their rhythm.
Weather Report:
The conditions at The Kia Oval, London, on match day are expected to be partly cloudy with a pleasant temperature of around 25°C. There’s only a 20% chance of precipitation, which means the game is unlikely to face weather interruptions. Humidity will hover around 55%, with a gentle 14 km/h breeze that could offer some movement to the pacers under the lights. Overall, it’s a fine evening for an uninterrupted, high-quality contest.
Fantasy Playing 11:
Lauren Winfield-Hill, Sarah Bryce, Meg Lanning, Hayley Matthews, Marizanne Kapp, Alice Capsey, Jess Jonassen, Freya Davies, Shabnim Ismail, Tash Farrant, and Katie Levick.
Match Details:
Date: 16th August 2025.
Time: 7 PM IST.
Venue: Kennington Oval, London.
Broadcast:
Cricket fans can catch all the action from this high-stakes clash live on FanCode and the Sony Sports Network, ensuring viewers don’t miss a single moment of the drama from The Kia Oval.
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.