The Hundred Men's 2022, Match 16 Review: Sean Abbott helps Manchester Originals register first win against Welsh Fire

Manchester Originals finally got some points on board after beating the Welsh Fire by a big margin of 47 runs in Match 16 of The Hundred Men’s 2022 tournament. The Originals’ opening stand alongside some good bowling ensured that they went over the line comfortably while Welsh have lost four in a row now.

Earlier in the day, Welsh Fire opted to bowl first after winning the toss and the move did not work well as the Manchester Originals openers Jos Buttler (29) and Phil Salt (38) were off to a flying start. The duo reached the 50-run partnership in no time, and Salt in particular, was quite aggressive from the outset hitting four sixes. However, the introduction of Adam Zampa into the bowling attack worked out as he picked up both the openers.

Andre Russell scored a 13-ball 17 while Tristan Stubbs and Paul Walter scored 13 each with wickets tumbling around quickly. The scoring rate came down considerably and the lower order had to take the risks. Tom Hartley’s unbeaten 15 off 10 balls in the end, helped Manchester post a decent score of 149/9 in the first innings. Jake Ball was the pick of the bowlers with 4/29 while Dwaine Pretorius and Zampa picked up two wickets each.

Sean Abbott leads the bowling attack with a fine spell

In reply, the Welsh Fire were off to a horrific start, losing both their openers Tom Banton and Joe Clarke early with the scoreboard reading 14/2. Ben Duckett could not convert his good start and was removed after his 15-ball 25 which included three fours and a six. Tristan Stubbs proved to be a sensational bowling change and he got rid of Duckett and skipper Josh Cobb in back-to-back deliveries.

Dwaine Pretorius tried to steady the ship down the order with a blistering innings of 29 off 14 balls which included three fours and two sixes. However, the Proteas all-rounder ran out of partners and Welsh were bundled out for 102 in 89 deliveries. Abbott was the pick of the bowlers with 4/8 in his 15 balls at 0.53 runs per ball while Stubbs picked up two.