The Hundred Men's 2022: Match 29 Review - Dawid Malan’s quickfire half-century takes Trent Rockets to the top of the table against Welsh Fire

Welsh Fire’s losing streak continued in the tournament as they suffered their eighth consecutive loss, this time against the Trent Rockets in Match 29 of Hundred Men’s 2022 at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham. With the win, Trent Rockets have moved to the top of the points table and are looking strong to make the knockouts. 

Earlier in the game, the Welsh Fire opted to bowl first after winning the toss and the Trent Rockets openers Dawid Malan and Alex Hales provided a blistering start to the innings. Hales’s 38 off 29 balls was the first wicket to fall while Malan reached his half-century in a quick time. The left-hander's 58 off 37 balls which included three fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 156 set up the platform for the middle order to cash in. 

Daniel Sams was sent up the order to provide some fireworks and the move worked out really well as he hit three sixes and two fours in his 14-ball 31. Colin Munro played his part with 11 ball-22 as the Trent Rockets posted a massive total of 172 on the board in the first innings. Jake Ball was the pick of the bowlers for the Welsh Fire side while all other bowlers were comparatively expensive in their bowling spell. 

Matthew Critchley’s batting effort goes in vain

In reply, Welsh Fire lost a wicket early as Tom Banton was dismissed for just 9 runs. Joe Clarke looked good for his 15 until Samit Patel got rid of him stumped. Ben Duckett and Matthew Critchley stuck a good partnership together and tried to bring down the required rate until Shamsi removed the former for 25. David Miller’s horrid run continued while Leus de Plooy could not do much damage. 

Critchley and Josh Cobb’s partnership was the last hope for the Welsh side however, the equation was quite tough and Trent Rockets bowlers ensured a victory was on their side. Critchley got a splendid half-century and was the only positive as the Welsh Fire ended up with 143 for 6 in their innings. Tabraiz Shamsi bowled a magical spell with 2 for 12 in his 20 balls while Samit Patel and Sam Cook picked up two wickets each for the Trent Rockets.