THE EDGE: The Edge previews The Hundred clash between Manchester Originals v Welsh Fire with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Manchester Originals v Welsh Fire
MATCH OVERVIEW:
Manchester Originals and Welsh Fire kick off their Hundred campaign for 2024 on Betdaq Betting Exchange on Thursday. Manchester Originals made it to the Final last season but unfortunately came up short against Oval Invincibles – they know the pain of losing a Final well at this stage because they were the losing Finalist in 2022 as well against Trent Rockets. Still, you’d take that every time after a very poor opening season in 2021. They have lost a few players heading into this season, but they still have their key man Jos Buttler obviously and Fazalhaq Farooqi is an excellent signing too; top wicket taker in the World Cup recently.
The batting line-up for Manchester Originals is absolutely jam-packed with hitters. They could easily post some impressive scores this summer. Obviously the worry is that if they get a tricky wicket, get someone actually play that “long” run-a-ball innings even in such a short format. Another worry for me would be their bowling line-up, but I’m keeping an open mind on how they get the tournament. Welsh Fire have been the Hundred whipping boys but they improved last season – second last in 2021, last in 2022 losing every game but they did finish mid-table last season.
Once again Jonny Bairstow will lead the batting and having him in form will be absolutely key. Mason Crane has been playing well in the T20 Blast and he is a nice spinning option along with the experienced Roelof van der Merwe. I actually quite like the Welsh Fire bowling on paper; the big question is how they cope if Baristow has one of those terrible runs he sometimes goes through.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
Bad weather meant we only had three games here last season. The first inning scores were 160/8 (won), 164/6 (won) and 130/8 (chased). In 2022 we saw scores of; 161/4 (chased), 189/3 (chased), 149/9 (won) and 143/9 (chased). We’ve had quite a range of scores here in the T20 Blast – from 75 all out to 201 chased. In general though, scoring has been quite good this summer and you’d expect that again here. It feels like you’ll need more than 160 batting first anyway.
RECOMMENDED BET:
This is our first very even market of the tournament. While there hasn’t been much in the opening two games, we have had two favourites. Now we have both sides 1.98, and you might even get both sides matched at odds against before the game starts as the market bounces around. I see a very close game too, and it’s definitely one for smaller stakes however overall I prefer the batting on Manchester Originals heading into the tournament. I just feel Welsh Fire lack that firepower outside of Bairstow for good batting conditions at Old Trafford.
The Edge Says:
One point win Manchester Originals to beat Welsh Fire at 1.98 on Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/ManWls
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
I’d expect good batting conditions here, so it will likely to pay to focus on finding trades on the batting side rather than the bowling side. That being said, I’m not a fan of that middle order from Welsh Fire. I think if the Originals can get Bairstow early they will be well on top. Although Welsh Fire might have the stronger bowling on paper, the batting conditions should really suit this Originals line-up – they are packed with hitters and can swing all the way on an even surface here. I feel the best in-running trade will be supporting the Originals if they get to bat first. Then, maybe taking on the Welsh Fire middle order depending on how good batting conditions are! It could easily be a road here!
