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Brave come into the game off a poor showing
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Ahmed stand out at 100/1
Southern Brave v Welsh Fire
Friday 4 August, 18:30
TV: Live on Sky Sports
Southern Brave v Welsh Fire team news
Southern Brave suffered a chastening loss to champions Trent Rockets in the opener. They were bang in charge when reducing their opponents to 54 for five and then 133 for eight. But their batting flopped, as feared in our team guide.
They look like being a batter short using George Garton at No 5 to try to split Leus du Plooy and Tim David. The bowling attack may also lack variation.
Probable XI: Allen, Conway, Vince, Du Plooy, Garton, David, Fuller, Jordan, Ahmed, C Overton, Mills
Welsh Fire got their 2023 camapign off to the best possible start with a win over the Originals. It was only their fourth success in their short history.
The rain helped to release the shackles. In a 40-ball match they had no choice but to cut loose and Luke Wells did that perfectly, setting them up for a score of 94. Shaheen Shah Afridi then took two wickets with the first two balls and they held off a lathe charge from Jos Buttler.
Jonny Bairstow did not play and we don't expect to see him in this match, either, given the quick turnaround.
Probable XI: Wells, Clarke, Phillips, Eskinazi, Abell, Green, Willey, Afridi, van der Merwe, Rauf, Payne
Southern Brave v Welsh Fire pitch report
The Ageas Bowl surface benefits the team batting second, allowing them to get a good look at a tacky nature. Three of the first-innings in nine games have busted 150 or more and as a result only two scores have been defended. Brave batting first against the pace of Afridi and Rauf could make a lay of 145 or 150 more at around even a bet.
Southern Brave v Welsh Fire match odds
These two are considered 'neighbours' despite being 133 miles apart so they get to play each other twice. Fire have, as you would expect, a poor record winning one in four.
But this is a new Fire outfit and they look better equipped to do some damage. Their bowling group should relish the surface and at odds-against they can give a strong account of themselves against a Brave team who could struggle.
At around 2.0811/10 Fire could be worth a gamble, particularly if they get the opportunity to bowl first.
Southern Brave v Welsh Fire player bets
Luke Wells opened up with 57 from 23 and Glenn Phillips 19 from 12 in the win over Originals. They are 7/24.40 the pair with Sportsbook. For Brave there is outstanding value in the form of Rehan Ahmed at 100/1101.00. He could well be promoted to that Garton role but on ability alone he should be significantly shorter. He batted at No 5 last time and has opened for Leicestershire.