In The Women’s Hundred 2026, Manchester Super Giants Women currently sit comfortably in third spot on the table, having gathered 14 points from 5 matches with a strong net run rate of +1.043. They have registered three wins, one loss, and a no-result so far, keeping them right in the mix for the top playoff berths. On the flip side, Welsh Fire Women find themselves down in fourth position with 8 points from 5 outings. Having recorded two wins alongside three defeats, the Fire carry a modest NRR of +0.251 and desperately need a victory to bridge the gap with the top three.
The contest features an exciting clash between two in-form top-order batters. Manchester Super Giants will lean heavily on Indian star Smriti Mandhana, who has amassed 143 runs in 4 innings at an average of 47.66 and an explosive strike rate of 147.42. Welsh Fire counters with Australian sensation Georgia Voll, who currently leads the run charts for her side with 201 runs in 5 matches. Voll has averaged 40.20 while scoring at a strike rate of 134.00, meaning whoever gets their top-order engine firing early will hold a massive upper hand at Emirates Old Trafford.
With the ball, both teams pack serious quality in their seam and line-length departments. Ryana MacDonald-Gay has been the standout performer for the Super Giants, taking 7 wickets in 4 matches with an impressive strike rate of 10.00 and best figures of 4/17. Welsh Fire have their own lethal weapon in Australian all-rounder Heather Graham, who has matched that 7-wicket tally across 5 games, including a spell of 4/19. With both strike bowlers averaging under 18, their spells during the middle overs could ultimately decide the outcome.
Squads:
Manchester Super Giants Women’s Cricket Team
Meg Lanning (C), Grace Ballinger, Maitlan Brown, Kathryn Bryce, Sophie Ecclestone, Joanne Gardner, Richa Ghosh, Beth Langston, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Smriti Mandhana, Mia Rogers, Paige Scholfield, Grace Scrivens, Bex Tyson, Mady Villiers, Natasha Wraith
Welsh Fire Women’s Cricket Team
Sophie Devine (C), Em Arlott, Sarah Bryce, Georgia Davis, Heather Graham, Niamh Holland, Freya Kemp, Ella McCaughan, Fi Morris, Abi Norgrove, Grace Potts, Sophia Smale, Rhianna Southby, Grace Thompson, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
Players to watch out:
Smriti Mandhana
Representing Manchester Super Giants Women in the 2026 season, Smriti Mandhana has accumulated 143 runs across 4 matches and 4 innings while being not out once. She holds an impressive batting average of 47.66 alongside a strike rate of 147.42, facing 97 balls in total. Her highest score stands at an unbeaten 88, supported by 1 half-century, 15 boundaries, and 5 sixes without registering any ducks.
Georgia Voll
Playing for Welsh Fire Women, Georgia Voll has racked up 201 runs in 5 matches and 5 innings. She averages 40.20 with a striking rate of 134.00, having faced 150 balls so far. With a top score of 78, she has recorded 2 half-centuries while smashing 25 fours and 3 sixes throughout her campaign.
Ryana MacDonald-Gay
Leading the attack for Manchester Super Giants Women, Ryana MacDonald-Gay has claimed 7 wickets in 4 matches and 4 innings. She has bowled 14.0 overs (70 balls), giving away 95 runs with a solid economy rate of 8.14 and a bowling average of 13.57. Her best figures of 4/17 highlight her strike rate of 10.00, including one 4-wicket haul.
Heather Graham
Turning out for Welsh Fire Women, Heather Graham has picked up 7 wickets across 5 matches and 5 bowling innings. Over 17.4 overs (89 balls), she conceded 124 runs, maintaining an economy rate of 8.35 and an average of 17.71. She registered a best bowling performance of 4/19 with a strike rate of 12.71 and 1 four-wicket haul.
Pitch:
Historically known for offering genuine pace, true bounce, and high-scoring conditions early on, Old Trafford’s pitch settles into a reliable surface for batters before deteriorating later in a match. It does dry out under sunshine and develop rough patches, bringing spinners into play.
Weather:
The conditions will be partly sunny with a high of 19°C and a low of 13°C. Expect westerly winds around 18 mph and a 20% chance of daytime precipitation, keeping conditions breezy with brief, isolated shower possibilities.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Meg Lanning, Kathryn Bryce, Sophie Ecclestone, Richa Ghosh, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine, Sarah Bryce, Heather Graham, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
Match Details:
Date – August 5, 2026
Time – 3:30 PM IST
Venue – Emirates Old Trafford, England
Broadcast – The game will be telecasted on Star Sport network.
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