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WELSH FIRE ALL IN FOR HUNDRED

By LAWRENCE BOOTH

WELSH FIRE, whipping boys of the men’s Hundred, have thrown down the gauntlet for August’s tournament with a string of big-name signings. Despite losing Ben Duckett to Birmingham Phoenix for a top-bracket £125,000, the Fire — who will be coached by Australia legend Mike Hussey — picked up England all-rounder David Willey (£125,000), as well as Pakistan fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi (£100,000) and Haris Rauf (£60,000). And their batting has been bolstered by the signings of Somerset’s Tom Abell (£125,000) and the hardhitting New Zealander Glenn Phillips (£75,000). Duckett had already made it clear he wanted to leave Welsh Fire, who lost all eight of their matches last summer, having finished second-bottom in the Hundred’s first edition in 2021. ‘It was time for a fresh start after only winning a couple of games in two years,’ he said. Laurie Evans was picked up for £100,000 by Manchester Originals after his ban for a doping offence was temporarily lifted earlier in the week. Australian allrounder Mitchell Marsh, was signed for £125,000 by London Spirit, where he will join compatriot Trevor Bayliss.

In the women’s Hundred, rising England star Sophia Dunkley moved from Southern Brave to Welsh Fire, who finished bottom in 2022. She was signed for £31,250, the highest fee in the women’s event.

TENNIS

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2023-03-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

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