The Hundred Men’s 2025: Top 3 players battles to watch out for in match 3

The Northern Superchargers will play the Welsh Fire in the third game of the Hundred Men’s 2025 at Headingley, Leeds, on Thursday, August 7.

The Superchargers narrowly missed out on a position in the Eliminator last season after finishing fourth. They would want to start strong this year and contend for the crown with renewed energy. The team will be led by Harry Brook.

Welsh Fire, who placed sixth the season before, will also look to get better this year. The Tom Abell-led squad, which includes elite players like Riley Meredith, Jonny Bairstow, and Steven Smith, will hope for a change of fortunes with enough firepower in their ranks.

Here are the top 3 players battles to watch out for in match 3 of The Hundred Men’s 2025:

Jonny Bairstow vs Mohammad Amir

Welsh Fire’s fiery opener Jonny Bairstow is an experienced player with over 100 games each in Tests and ODIs for England and 80 T20Is. He also has 338 runs in 13 The Hundred games while he boasts of more than 5500 runs at a strike rate of 138.71 in 236 T20s with five centuries.

However, the Northern Superchargers have the perfect antidote for him in left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir. Amir, the ex-Pakistan pacer, has 397 T20 wickets at an economy of 7.31 and a best of 6/17 in 339 games. He can swing the new ball both ways, and could be used to contain Bairstow.

Harry Brook vs Riley Meredith

Northern Superchargers’ captain Harry Brook 675 runs at a strike rate of 162.65 in the Hundred with a best of 105*. His T20 strike rate is also over 150, and he has three centuries and 14 fifties to his name in the format.

To counter his threat, Riley Meredith might be employed by Welsh Fire given his ability to bowl at speeds of 150 kph plus. He has 176 wickets in 131 T20s, and this will be the first time he plays in the Hundred. However, he has experience bowling to the best in the IPL, BBL, and PSL and will be ready for the Harry Brook challenge.

Adil Rashid vs Steve Smith

This will be the battle between England’s best leg-spinner, Adil Rashid, and Australian legend Steve Smith. Smith will be playing in the Hundred for the first time, while Rashid has lots of experience in the format.

Steve Smith has 5806 runs in T20s with four centuries and 28 fifties, mostly in the BBL and IPL. He also has over 1000 runs for Australia in T20Is, though he no longer plays the format for them. On the other hand, Adil Rashid has 135 T20I wickets and 366 T20 wickets to his name at an economy of under 8. He also has 38 wickets in the Hundred and will be tasked to keep Smith quiet, who is a master player of spin.