Welsh Fire Team 2025 Players List: History, Records and Achievements

Welsh Fire Men’s History

Among the eight franchises competing in The Hundred, Welsh Fire have had one of the most turbulent and challenging journeys since the tournament’s inception in 2021. Representing Wales and the counties of Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, and Somerset, the franchise is based out of the picturesque Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. Despite the passionate fan base and a home ground rich in cricketing tradition, Welsh Fire have struggled to translate potential into consistent performances over the first four editions of the tournament.

The team’s initial seasons were marked by instability in leadership and on-field execution. In 2021, Welsh Fire were captained by England star Jonny Bairstow, but with Bairstow missing games due to international commitments, Ben Duckett also took over the reins. The season ended in disappointment as the team finished bottom of the table. In 2022, Josh Cobb led the side, but the outcome remained the same – another 8th place finish and continued questions around their team balance and depth.

A turning point came in 2023 when Welsh Fire made a conscious effort to rebuild. Under the leadership of Tom Abell and with the guidance of new head coach Mike Hussey, the Fire finally clicked as a unit. Backed by strong overseas recruits and an improved domestic core, the team made it to the Playoffs for the first time, finishing third in the league stage. However, their campaign ended in the Eliminator as they fell short of reaching the final. Despite the early exit, the season brought renewed hope and belief in the Cardiff-based outfit.

That momentum didn’t quite carry forward into 2024. Welsh Fire, with Tom Abell continuing as captain, endured another underwhelming season, finishing 6th in the table. Their campaign was plagued by inconsistency – a mix of promising starts undone by middle-order collapses and an over-reliance on individual brilliance rather than team coherence.

In an effort to change their fortunes heading into 2025, the franchise has made a bold move by appointing Australian legend Steve Smith as captain. Smith brings with him not only a wealth of international experience but also a tactical acumen that could help turn around Welsh Fire’s underperforming record. Alongside a refreshed squad and under the continued guidance of Mike Hussey, there is cautious optimism around the franchise for the upcoming season.

As the fifth edition of The Hundred approaches, Welsh Fire find themselves at a critical juncture. With a blend of young domestic talent, experienced internationals, and a proven leader at the helm, the team is aiming to finally shed their tag of underachievers and become regular contenders in The Hundred.

Welsh Fire Men’s Journey in The Hundred (Season-by-Season)

Welsh Fire Men’s Captains and Vice-Captains Over the Years

Since the beginning of The Hundred in 2021, Welsh Fire have gone through several leadership transitions in their quest to find a winning formula. Unlike some franchises that enjoyed stable captaincy from the outset, the Cardiff-based outfit has seen a rotating leadership cast — a reflection of their on-field inconsistencies. With different captains almost every season and frequent changes in their vice-captaincy group, Welsh Fire have struggled to build a cohesive identity, though they’ve shown glimpses of promise, especially in the 2023 season under Tom Abell.

Based out of Sophia Gardens and representing Wales, Gloucestershire, and Somerset, Welsh Fire’s leadership journey has been one of trial, learning, and hope for stability. From star England internationals like Jonny Bairstow and Ben Duckett to domestic stalwarts like Josh Cobb and Tom Abell, the team has experimented with various leaders. And now in 2025, the team has taken a bold and strategic decision to bring in global superstar Steve Smith to lead their campaign.

Let’s take a closer look at Welsh Fire’s captain and vice-captain combinations over the years:

Jonny Bairstow and Ben Duckett (2021)

Jonny Bairstow captained the side in the first two matches of the inaugural season and began on a high note — winning both. However, national commitments meant he couldn’t continue, handing over leadership to Duckett. 

Ben Duckett stepped into the captaincy midway through the inaugural 2021 season after Jonny Bairstow departed due to England duties. Unfortunately, the team struggled under Duckett’s leadership, winning just 1 of their remaining 6 matches. It was a challenging season for both the captain and the squad, which never quite found its rhythm.

Josh Cobb (2022)

Josh Cobb, a reliable domestic performer, was given the reins in 2022. However, it turned out to be the franchise's worst season — they failed to register a single win, losing all eight matches. It was a brutal campaign that exposed several structural weaknesses in the squad. While Cobb’s intentions were noble, the lack of quality support made the task overwhelming.

Tom Abell (2023–2024)

Tom Abell brought a sense of calm, structure, and stability to the Welsh Fire when he took over in 2023. A natural leader at Somerset, Abell was entrusted with leading a rebuilt side under the coaching of Mike Hussey. Under his guidance, the team reached the Playoffs for the first time in their history — a high point for the franchise. Abell was retained as captain for the 2024 season, but the team’s performances dipped again. 

While he wasn’t the flashiest name in the squad, Abell’s composed leadership helped extract better performances from the group than in previous years. His win percentage of 37.50% remains the best for any Welsh Fire captain with more than two matches in charge.

Welsh Fire Captain Comparison

Welsh Fire Men’s Squad 2025 

Welsh Fire The Hundred Men’s 2025 Fixtures and Schedule 

Welsh Fire Administration and Support Staff 2025

Welsh Fire Men’s Achievements and Records

Welsh Fire, the representative team for Wales, Gloucestershire, and Somerset in The Hundred Men’s competition, have experienced a mixed journey since the tournament's launch in 2021. Based at the iconic Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, the Fire have struggled to find consistency but have had moments of promise, especially during their breakthrough campaign in 2023.

Here’s a detailed look at Welsh Fire’s team and individual records so far:

Welsh Fire Team Records (As of July 2025)

Welsh Fire’s team records reflect a franchise that has shown glimpses of promise but struggled to achieve sustained success. Their highest team total of 181/5 came against Southern Brave in 2024, showcasing their batting potential, while their lowest total of 87 also against Southern Brave in 2023 highlighted their inconsistency. The team’s best campaign came in 2023, with 4 wins, a three-match winning streak, and a 4th-place league finish that earned them their only playoff appearance to date. However, the franchise is still in search of its first championship title.

Welsh Fire Individual Records (As of July 2025) 

Welsh Fire Key Rivalries

Despite a rocky start to their journey in The Hundred, Welsh Fire have been involved in some captivating rivalries over the first four seasons. While the franchise is still chasing consistency and a maiden title, their matchups against certain teams have sparked drama, intensity, and fan interest. Whether it’s a contest born out of close encounters or regional pride, Welsh Fire’s rivalries have added plenty of heat to the tournament.

Here’s a closer look at the key rivalries Welsh Fire have developed so far in The Hundred.

Welsh Fire vs Southern Brave

One of Welsh Fire’s most engaging rivalries has been with Southern Brave. While Southern Brave have largely been the superior side in The Hundred’s early years, the clashes between the two have often been high-scoring affairs. The rivalry intensified after their thrilling 2024 encounter, where Welsh Fire posted their highest-ever team total of 181/5 but still ended up on the losing side.

Welsh Fire vs Northern Superchargers

The rivalry with Northern Superchargers has been one of Welsh Fire’s most evenly contested. Both teams have experienced similar ups and downs, and their encounters have often gone down to the wire. 

Welsh Fire vs London Spirit

The battles between Welsh Fire and London Spirit have developed into a mini-rivalry filled with unpredictability. Both teams have had their struggles in different seasons, but when they meet, it’s often a battle of redemption. Their 2021 clash, which featured Glenn Phillips' explosive 80, still stands as one of Welsh Fire’s best individual batting performances.

Welsh Fire vs Trent Rockets

Though not the most traditional rivalry, Welsh Fire’s matchups with Trent Rockets have often produced fireworks. Trent Rockets, known for their explosive batting and depth, have typically been a tough opponent for the Fire, who have found it difficult to contain their firepower.

Despite being on the losing end of most of these contests, Welsh Fire have shown moments of brilliance, indicating that this rivalry could shift tides with the right leadership and momentum going forward.

Welsh Fire Team Owners and Sponsorships

The Welsh Fire, based out of Cardiff, have undergone a quiet but significant transformation both on and off the field in recent years. While results in the men’s Hundred tournament have been underwhelming so far, the franchise has begun to build a solid base for long-term success powered by strategic ownership changes and emerging commercial partnerships. From being wholly county-run to now entering a new era of global investment, Welsh Fire’s ownership and sponsorship story is a reflection of how English franchise cricket is evolving to meet modern challenges and opportunities.

Owners: Glamorgan County and Sanjay Govil (Washington Freedom)

For the first four editions of The Hundred (2021–2024), Welsh Fire were owned and operated solely by Glamorgan County Cricket Club (CCC). As the host county and regional hub for professional cricket in Wales, Glamorgan oversaw both the team’s sporting direction and commercial operations in conjunction with the ECB’s centralized structure. Despite modest performances on the field, the county ensured stability in the formative years, anchoring the team with strong local identity and infrastructure. 

However, 2025 marked a turning point not just for Welsh Fire but for The Hundred as a whole. The ECB made the landmark decision to invite private investment into its franchise structure to bring in fresh capital, international expertise, and new commercial ambition. In this process, Glamorgan CCC agreed to sell a 49% minority stake in Welsh Fire to Sanjay Govil, the US-based tech entrepreneur and owner of Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket.

Govil’s bid, reportedly valuing Welsh Fire at £67.5 million, edged out interest from Indian conglomerate Capri Global and even Hollywood investors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney—who ultimately dropped out. His successful acquisition of a near-half stake for just over £33 million marked a watershed moment for the franchise.

Govil, chairman of Infinite Computer Solutions and Zyter, is not new to cricket investment. His Washington Freedom side lifted the Major League Cricket title in 2024 under Ricky Ponting’s leadership. With this move, Govil brings not just capital but proven sports business expertise. The synergy between Glamorgan’s local roots and Govil’s global reach has the potential to transform Welsh Fire’s commercial outlook and performance trajectory.

This new ownership model also aligns with the ECB’s broader vision of sustainability and global integration for The Hundred, as proceeds from the franchise sales are redistributed to counties and grassroots structures across England and Wales.

Welsh Fire Sponsors

While Welsh Fire haven’t been as commercially dominant as some of their rivals like the Oval Invincibles or Manchester Originals, they have steadily built a growing portfolio of sponsors that align with their values and fanbase. With Sanjay Govil’s entry and the promise of improved performance, the franchise is now poised to expand its marketability and sponsor appeal.

In 2025, Hula Hoops—the popular UK snack brand—signed on as the Title Sponsor for Welsh Fire, becoming the most visible commercial partner of the team. Already associated with the ECB and other teams in The Hundred, Hula Hoops’ extended involvement marks a significant vote of confidence in Welsh Fire’s future.

The team continues to wear kits supplied by Castore, the high-performance British sportswear company that has been outfitting teams in The Hundred since its inception. Castore’s lightweight designs and breathable fabrics are a staple on-field, while also forming a critical part of the team’s retail merchandise lineup.