Trent Rockets vs Welsh Fire predictions: Banton to fire for Rockets
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- Tom Banton has five half-centuries in his last 10 innings
- Trent Rockets have won all three meetings between these two teams
- Recommended bet: Tom Banton top Trent Rockets batter
Trent Rockets had won their opening two games but let the chance to make it three in a row slip through their fingers last time out as a remarkable bowling performance from Dan Mousley at the death gave Birmingham Phoenix the win.
After a good opening victory, Welsh Fire have fallen to two defeats on the bounce and their batters need to start picking up the slack if they are to contend this season, starting at Trent Bridge on Saturday.
Team news
Pace aces Haris Rauf and Matt Henry came into Welsh Fire’s team for their clash with London Spirit last time out and made an immediate impact, taking three wickets apiece. Their batting must improve, however and they may make changes here.
Trent Rockets are likely to field a similar line-up to the one that was edged out by Birmingham Phoenix last time out.
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The stats
Welsh Fire’s batting totals have been 87, 103 and 94 in this tournament so far.
Tom Banton has made 118 runs from the 70 balls he has faced in the three games that he has played.
Trent Rockets’ last two games have been decided by six runs or less.
Prediction
Trent Rockets will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Birmingham Phoenix last time out and a key man in their attempt to do that will be opener Tom Banton.
The 25-year-old has made five half-centuries in his last 10 innings in all competitions, impressing in both the County Championship and the T20 Blast.
He has transferred that form to The Hundred with knocks of 66, 45 and seven in the competition so far.
The additions of Haris Rauf and Matt Henry to the Welsh Fire bowling line-up does make them a formidable opponent, but Banton is used to operating at the top level and could continue to impress.
The top-order batter has plenty of talent around him, but his recent form suggests he can be the one to showcase it here.
