Northern SuperchargersCareer HighlightsCricket HighlightsCricket Match Reportsengland cricketEngland Cricket Team NewsEngland PlayersInternational LeagueMatch HighlightsSports HighlightsThe HundredThe Hundred 2025Zak Crawley
Zak Crawley and Bowlers Shine as Northern Superchargers Begin Hundred 2025 with Dominant Win
Crawley’s Classy 67 Guides Superchargers to Comfortable Chase
Northern Superchargers got their 2025 Hundred campaign off to a flying start with a dominant 8-wicket victory over Welsh Fire at Headingley. Zak Crawley, fresh off a challenging Test series against India, rediscovered his touch in style, producing an unbeaten 67 to guide his side home with 11 balls to spare.
Chasing a modest target of 144, Superchargers’ openers Crawley and Dawid Malan set the tone early with a commanding 91-run stand. Malan initiated the scoring with a crisp boundary, but it was Crawley who soon took charge, smashing a towering six over deep backward square leg and following it up with elegant boundaries.
The fireworks didn’t stop there—Riley Meredith’s introduction to the attack was met with aggressive intent, as both openers dispatched him for sixes in quick succession. At the halfway mark, the Superchargers were cruising, well ahead of the asking rate.
Bowlers Set Up the Victory with Early Strikes
Potts’ Double Blow Turns the Game
The foundation for the win was laid earlier by the Superchargers’ bowling unit. After opting to field first, they quickly put Welsh Fire under pressure. Jonny Bairstow and Steve Smith provided a brisk start with a 62-run opening partnership, but Matthew Potts broke the momentum in emphatic fashion.
Potts first bowled Smith with an inside edge after being hit for a six and a four earlier in the over. On the very next delivery, he trapped Luke Wells, triggering a collapse. From that point, Welsh Fire struggled to regain momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals.
Adil Rashid, known for his control in the middle overs, struck twice to dismiss key middle-order batsmen, while Imad Wasim’s tight spell further choked the scoring rate. Bairstow top-scored with 42, but the lack of partnerships meant Welsh Fire could only muster 143/9 in their allotted 100 balls.
Read more about The Hundred’s format and rules here.
Brook’s Quickfire Cameo Seals the Deal
After Malan departed for a well-compiled 41 and Michael Pepper fell cheaply, skipper Harry Brook ensured there would be no late drama. Walking in with his team already in control, Brook hammered a six off his first ball, stamping authority and extinguishing any faint Welsh Fire hopes. He finished unbeaten on 25 from just 15 deliveries, alongside Crawley’s masterful 67*.
With this victory, Northern Superchargers not only start their campaign with a win but also send a strong message to the rest of the competition about their depth in both batting and bowling.
Brief Scores:
Welsh Fire: 143/9 in 100 balls (Jonny Bairstow 42; Adil Rashid 2/25, Matthew Potts 2/21, Imad Wasim 2/28)
Northern Superchargers: 144/2 in 89 balls (Zak Crawley 67*, Dawid Malan 41, Harry Brook 25*)
Result: Northern Superchargers won by 8 wickets
Learn more about The Hundred tournament history and teams.
