The Hundred 2025: Matt Henry Replaces Injured Chris Woakes at Welsh Fire
Welsh Fire have been dealt a major blow in The Hundred Men’s 2025, with star all-rounder Chris Woakes ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to a dislocated shoulder. The injury occurred in unfortunate fashion while fielding on the opening day of the final Test in the recent England-India series at The Oval.
To fill the void, the franchise has roped in New Zealand pacer Matt Henry, who will join the squad after completing his national duties in the ongoing second Test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand.
Woakes’ Injury a Big Setback for Welsh Fire
Chris Woakes’ absence will be felt not only for his sharp bowling but also for his ability to contribute valuable runs down the order. Known for his consistency with the new ball and knack for breaking crucial partnerships, Woakes was expected to play a key role in Fire’s campaign. His untimely exit will require the team to make quick adjustments to their bowling attack.
Matt Henry’s Red-Hot Form
Henry’s arrival comes at a perfect time for the Fire. The 33-year-old fast bowler has been in scintillating form against Zimbabwe, delivering standout performances across both Tests. His recent bowling figures speak volumes — 6/39, 3/51, and 5/40 in three innings — showcasing his ability to extract pace, seam movement, and generate wicket-taking opportunities even on slower surfaces.
Before the ongoing Zimbabwe series, he played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s tri-series triumph against South Africa and Zimbabwe, emerging as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets in four innings at an economy rate of just 8.47.
With Henry’s pace and control, Welsh Fire will be hoping to maintain their competitive edge in the tournament. His experience in high-pressure situations, both in international cricket and franchise leagues, could prove vital in the latter stages of the competition.
What This Means for Welsh Fire
The Hundred’s format leaves little room for recovery, making Henry’s immediate impact crucial. If he can replicate his recent form, he could be the spark Welsh Fire need to stay in contention for the playoffs.
The Welsh Fire faithful will be eager to see how the Kiwi quick slots into the playing XI and whether his partnership with the existing bowling attack can offset the loss of Woakes.
Welsh Fire have suffered an early setback in The Hundred Men’s 2025, losing both a key player and their opening match of the season. England all-rounder Chris Woakes has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to a dislocated shoulder, sustained while fielding on the opening day of the final Test in the recent England-India series at The Oval.
To fill the void, the franchise has called up New Zealand pacer Matt Henry, who will join the squad after completing the ongoing second Test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand.
Early Season Struggles for Welsh Fire
In their season opener, Welsh Fire went down to the Northern Superchargers by eight wickets with 11 balls to spare. Batting first, they posted 143/9, with wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow smashing a quickfire 43 off 23 balls. However, Superchargers chased down the target comfortably, driven by Zak Crawley’s unbeaten 67 off 38 balls.
Riley Meredith was the standout with the ball for the Fire, claiming 2/33 in 20 balls, including both opposition wickets.
Welsh Fire Squad for The Hundred 2025
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Matt Henry (Overseas)
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Jonny Bairstow
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Steve Smith (Overseas)
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David Payne
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Tom Kohler-Cadmore
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Paul Walter
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Tom Abell
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Riley Meredith (Overseas)
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Chris Green (Overseas)
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Saif Zaib
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Luke Wells
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Josh Hull
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Stevie Eskinazi
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Mason Crane
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Ajeet Singh Dale
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Ben Kellaway
What Lies Ahead
With one loss already on the board and a major change in the lineup, Welsh Fire will be hoping Henry’s inclusion injects fresh energy into their campaign. His recent performances suggest he could be the game-changer they need to get back to winning ways in The Hundred 2025.
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