The highly anticipated women’s Hundred tournament is all set to start on Tuesday, the 5th of August 2025. The 2025 edition of the Hundred will mark the fifth season of the innovative 100-ball revolution that the England and Wales Cricket Board has brought about in franchise cricket. Launched in 2020, the Hundred has become the World’s fancy and is growing as one of the top leagues in the world. Additionally, the Women’s Hundred is already one of the largest franchise...
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Welsh Fire Women’s journey in The Hundred has been a tale of transformation, resilience, and resurgence. Representing the counties of Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, and Somerset, the Cardiff-based franchise has evolved steadily from early struggles to emerging as one of the strongest contenders in the competition. Though they endured a tough start in the first couple of seasons, the last two editions have showcased a team with renewed ambition, leadership, and belief.
The franchise came into existence in 2021 as part of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) bold vision to launch a brand-new 100-ball format aimed at rejuvenating the game for a younger audience. With the historic Sophia Gardens in Cardiff as their home ground, Welsh Fire Women took to the field in the inaugural 2021 season with high hopes. However, despite individual brilliance, the team struggled to find consistency and ended the season in 7th place.
The 2022 season proved even more difficult. With changes in personnel and structure, the team failed to gel and finished at the bottom of the table in 8th place. These initial two seasons highlighted a team in transition—searching for an identity and a leadership group to rally behind.
That turning point came in 2023 when England international Tammy Beaumont was appointed captain, bringing with her experience, clarity, and direction. Under the guidance of head coach Gareth Breese, Welsh Fire finally began to click. With a more balanced squad and improved performances across all departments, the team surged up the table to finish third. Though they fell short in the Eliminator, the Fire had found their spark.
Building on that success, the 2024 edition marked their most memorable campaign yet. Beaumont led from the front, both as captain and with the bat, and the team made a strong run to the final. Though they were narrowly beaten by London Spirit in a gripping finale that was decided in the last two balls, Welsh Fire had firmly established themselves as one of the premier teams in the competition.
As the 2025 season approaches, Welsh Fire Women stand on the cusp of glory. With Beaumont still leading the side and Breese continuing as head coach, there is a strong sense of continuity and purpose. The squad has depth, form, and the hunger to go one step further. No longer the underdogs, Welsh Fire now carry the expectations of a fanbase eager to see their side lift The Hundred trophy for the very first time.
Since the inception of The Hundred in 2021, Welsh Fire Women have undergone a leadership evolution that mirrors the team's on-field transformation. From a rocky start in their early seasons to becoming serious title contenders in recent years, the Fire’s journey has been steered by captains and vice-captains who’ve shaped the team’s culture, resilience, and fighting spirit.
Since the inception of The Hundred in 2021, Welsh Fire Women have undergone a leadership evolution that mirrors the team's on-field transformation. From a rocky start in their early seasons to becoming serious title contenders in recent years, the Fire’s journey has been steered by captains and vice-captains who’ve shaped the team’s culture, resilience, and fighting spirit.
Supporting her across seasons were a few different vice-captains, each bringing their own strengths and experience to the leadership table. Players like Sophie Luff and Alex Hartley served in deputy roles, and in 2024, young fast bowler Lauren Filer stepped up into vice-captaincy, showcasing the team’s commitment to developing future leaders from within.
As the 2025 season gets underway, Welsh Fire enter the tournament as one of the top contenders, thanks in large part to the leadership consistency of Beaumont and the emergence of a strong leadership group around her.
Let’s take a closer look at Welsh Fire Women’s captain and vice-captain combinations over the years:
Tammy Beaumont has been the face of Welsh Fire’s resurgence in The Hundred. After playing the 2021 season as vice-captain, she was handed the leadership reins in 2022 and has never looked back. Though that first season in charge ended with a last-place finish, her tactical acumen and ability to inspire turned the franchise around.
Under Beaumont, Welsh Fire have recorded their two best seasons to date, third in 2023 and second in 2024, narrowly missing the title both times. Beaumont leads from the front as an opener and sets the tone with her intent and discipline. Her blend of international experience and calm presence has transformed Welsh Fire into genuine contenders.
Welsh Fire Women’s journey in The Hundred has been one of the most remarkable stories of growth and revival in the competition’s short history. Representing the counties of Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, and Somerset, and based out of Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens, the franchise has gone from early struggles to becoming a genuine title contender. Their recent success is built on a mix of stability in leadership, a well-rounded squad, and an aggressive brand of cricket that has energised fans and raised expectations.
Heading into the 2025 season, Welsh Fire are hungry for more. With back-to-back playoff appearances and a runner-up finish under their belt, they are seen as serious title contenders looking to go one step further and lift their maiden Hundred trophy.
Welsh Fire Women’s team records showcase a clear upward trend. Their highest team total of 181/3 against Trent Rockets in 2023 highlights the offensive leap they’ve taken in recent seasons. From a low of 103/8 in 2021, the side has matured into consistent performers, notching their best league finish (2nd) and most wins (5) in 2024. Two playoff appearances and a final underline their evolution, though the elusive title remains a goal for 2025.
Hayley Matthews dominates the individual charts, leading in runs (662), wickets (25), fours (98), and fifties (4), reflecting her all-round brilliance. Tammy Beaumont holds the highest individual score, an iconic 118, and the team’s only century. Sophia Dunkley’s fielding and power-hitting also stand out. These records reveal a well-rounded unit with proven match-winners, led by players capable of turning games with both bat and ball.
Since the launch of The Hundred in 2021, Welsh Fire Women have undergone a dramatic transformation, from struggling to find their footing in the early years to becoming one of the most improved and competitive sides in the tournament. And with that rise in performance, a number of key rivalries have taken shape, built on thrilling finishes, emotional moments, and high-stakes encounters. Whether it's a rivalry based on regional clashes, playoff pressure, or historical dominance, Welsh Fire's matchups have become increasingly engaging for fans and players alike.
Here’s a closer look at the key rivalries Welsh Fire Women have developed over the first four seasons of The Hundred.
Arguably, Welsh Fire Women’s fiercest and most frustrating rivalry has been with Southern Brave. From the outset, Southern Brave have been the dominant force in this fixture, consistently overpowering Welsh Fire with both bat and ball. However, that hasn’t stopped the Fire from producing some spirited performances, and the games have only grown in intensity.
Their 2024 clash was one of the standout matches of the season, with Welsh Fire on a red-hot run and looking to prove a point. Despite a strong start, they fell short again, with Brave's experience proving decisive. It’s a fixture that continues to test Welsh Fire’s growth and resilience.
The numbers don’t lie as in seven matches between the two sides Welsh Fire have emerged victorious on three occasions while Southern Brave have emerged victorious on four occasions.
Few rivalries in The Hundred Women’s competition have delivered as much unpredictability as the one between Welsh Fire and London Spirit. Both teams experienced their low points in the early years, but recent seasons have seen their meetings take on greater significance, especially after the unforgettable 2024 final.
In what was Welsh Fire’s first-ever appearance in a Hundred final, they faced off against London Spirit in a tense, low-scoring affair. With just two balls remaining, London Spirit edged home, breaking Welsh hearts and sparking a rivalry that will now always carry emotional weight.
In total the Welsh Fire and London Spirit have faced each other on five separate occasions with London Spirit holding the bragging rights by winning the 2024 final and winning three out of the five matches.
The rivalry with Trent Rockets may not have the historical intensity of others, but it has delivered fireworks on the field—none more spectacular than Welsh Fire’s record-breaking total of 181/3 against them in 2023. That innings remains the highest team score in the Fire’s history and was powered by a stunning century from Tammy Beaumont.
The Welsh Fire and Trent Rockets have had some very close encounters between each other and there is nothing to split the two sides in the head to head. In the four matches against each other, both the Welsh Fire and Trent Rockets have won two matches each.
This is one of the most closely fought and entertaining rivalries Welsh Fire Women have been a part of. Both teams have developed almost in parallel—struggling in the early years and then rising as playoff contenders. The head-to-head record reflects that balance, with each side landing punches and the outcome often hinging on fine margins.
Their 2023 encounter, which helped Welsh Fire clinch a top-three spot, stands out as a key moment in the rivalry.
The Welsh Fire and Northern Superchargers have faced each other four times in four seasons and one of the matches ended in a no result due to rain. In the other three matches, two fixtures were won by the Northern Superchargers, while the Welsh Fire have only managed to win one fixture against their rivals.
Welsh Fire Women have steadily grown in stature since the inception of The Hundred, with their performances on the pitch increasingly matched by evolving ownership and commercial frameworks off it. While the team’s roots are deeply embedded in Welsh cricket tradition through Glamorgan County Cricket Club (GCCC), 2025 marked a new era for the franchise — ushering in global investment, broader market ambitions, and stronger financial backing. Coupled with a diverse portfolio of sponsors and partners, the franchise is positioning itself for long-term success in the dynamic landscape of modern cricket.
For the first four seasons of The Hundred (2021–2024), Welsh Fire Women — like their men's counterparts — were fully owned and operated by Glamorgan County Cricket Club, based in Cardiff. Glamorgan, as one of the 18 first-class counties under the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), was responsible for building the team’s infrastructure, recruiting players, and nurturing a homegrown fan base. Despite limited on-field success in the early years, the women’s team turned a corner with strong showings in 2023 and a runners-up finish in 2024.
However, 2025 brought sweeping changes to the competition. In a landmark move to modernise The Hundred and attract global investment, the ECB opened team ownership to private investors. In response, Glamorgan opted to sell a 49% stake in the Welsh Fire franchise — including both the men’s and women’s teams — to U.S.-based tech entrepreneur Sanjay Govil, owner of Major League Cricket side Washington Freedom.
The deal valued the Welsh Fire franchise at approximately £67.5 million, with Govil investing just over £33 million for his minority stake. The sale was part of a broader ECB initiative that brought in nearly £278 million through partial sales of four Hundred teams, with revenue earmarked for strengthening grassroots cricket and county structures.
Govil, chairman of Infinite Computer Solutions and health tech firm Zyter, is no stranger to sports ownership. Under his stewardship, Washington Freedom won the MLC title in 2024, just two years after their formation, with Ricky Ponting as head coach. His investment in Welsh Fire represents a strategic entry into the UK cricket market and a desire to replicate that success in The Hundred.
Importantly, Glamorgan CCC has retained a 51% controlling stake, ensuring the franchise continues to reflect Welsh cricketing identity while also benefiting from Govil’s international commercial acumen. The ECB and Glamorgan have both stressed that the partnership is about more than just capital—it’s about building a collaborative, value-added relationship for the future.
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.
With the new ownership and things shaping place under Tammy Beaumont and Gareth Breese, the Welsh Fire enter the 2025 high on hopes and one of the contenders to emerge victorious in the fifth edition of the Hundred.
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