The 21st fixture of the fifth edition of The Hundred Women’s 2025 promises a thrilling encounter as Welsh Fire take on the unbeaten Southern Brave at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. The action begins at 04:00 PM IST on August 19, 2025.
Welsh Fire come into this match under pressure, having suffered four consecutive defeats. Their latest outing against Oval Invincibles was another disappointment, where they fell short at 111/10 from 97 balls while chasing 151. Sophia Dunkley’s resilient 56 off 41 and Hayley Matthews’ tidy spell of 2/18 stood out, but the team eventually slipped to a 39-run loss.
On the other hand, Southern Brave have been flawless so far, winning all five of their matches. In their most recent clash, contributions from Maia Bouchier (34 off 23), Laura Wolvaardt (36 off 19), and Freya Kemp (24 off 11) helped them reach 161/6. Their bowling attack then dismantled the Invincibles for just 72, with Lauren Bell (2/11), Mady Villiers (3/17), Sophie Devine (2/15), and Georgia Adams (2/6) sealing an emphatic 89-run victory.
Squads:
Welsh Fire Women’s Cricket Team
Tammy Beaumont (C), Sarah Bryce, Freya Davies, Georgia Davies, Sophia Dunkley, Georgia Elwiss, Katie George, Alex Griffiths, Shabnim Ismail, Jess Jonassen, Beth Langston, Katie Levick, Emily Windsor
Southern Brave Women’s Cricket Team
Georgia Adams (C), Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Laura Wolvaardt, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Sophie Devine, Freya Kemp, Chloe Tryon, Mady Villiers, Josie Groves, Rhianna Southby, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Phoebe Graham, Phoebe Turner, Amara Carr
Players to watch out:
Freya Davies
Known for her sharp swing and ability to strike in both the powerplay and the closing stages, Davies has been a key figure in Welsh Fire’s bowling unit. With 5 wickets in 4 matches at an average of 16 and an economy of 6.95, she has shown her knack for breakthroughs. Despite an off-day against the Invincibles (0/32), her discipline with line and length makes her a genuine wicket-taking threat. If she can dismiss Brave’s in-form top order, Fire’s chances will increase drastically.
Jess Jonassen
A world-class all-rounder who hasn’t quite hit her stride this season. With only 54 runs and 2 wickets in 4 games, her stats don’t reflect the match-winning ability she possesses. Jonassen’s left-arm spin is particularly effective in middle overs where batters look to accelerate, while her batting versatility allows her to steady innings or provide late hitting. Fire will be hoping she finds form at the right time to turn their campaign around.
Laura Wolvaardt
Wolvaardt’s batting is all about class and composure. Having scored 140 runs at a strike rate of 128.44 and an average of 46.66, she has already registered crucial knocks of 42*, 28, 33*, and 36 in this edition. Her ability to anchor the innings while still maintaining a healthy tempo gives Brave solidity at the top. With Fire’s bowling attack struggling, Wolvaardt’s form could once again prove decisive in setting or chasing a target.
Lauren Bell
Arguably the standout bowler of the competition so far. Bell has been unplayable, scalping 12 wickets in 5 matches with figures like 3/28, 3/17, 1/25, 3/16, and 2/11. Averaging 8.08 per wicket, she has struck in every match this season, troubling batters with her bounce and accuracy. Her knack for delivering early strikes and returning at the death makes her Brave’s biggest weapon, and Fire’s batters will need to be wary of her in every phase of the innings.
Pitch:
The track at Sophia Gardens usually provides a balanced contest. Batters who take time to settle can accelerate, while bowlers — especially spinners — can keep things tight. With the average score being around 104, expect a low-to-moderate scoring affair where patience pays off.
Weather:
Conditions in Cardiff will be mostly cloudy with temperatures around 22°C and 60% humidity. With just a 10% chance of rain, interruptions are unlikely, but the overhead conditions could favour seamers early on.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Hayley Matthews, Jess Jonassen, Sophie Devine, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sophia Dunkley, Laura Wolvaardt, Lauren Bell, Tammy Beaumont, Freya Davies, Mady Villiers, Tilly Corteen-Coleman
Match Details:
Date – August 20, 2025
Time – 04:00 PM IST
Venue – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Broadcast – Live on FanCode (streaming) and Sony Sports Network (telecast).
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