NOS vs WEF Fantasy Team Prediction Today, The Hundred 2025: Match 3 Preview, Playing XI, Pitch Report, and Top Picks
The third match of The Hundred 2025 men’s competition will feature Northern Superchargers (NOS) taking on Welsh Fire (WEF) at Headingley, Leeds. This encounter is set to be a high-octane clash with several star performers on display and offers a great opportunity for fantasy cricket enthusiasts to build a winning team.
Match Overview
- Match: Northern Superchargers vs Welsh Fire
- Competition: The Hundred 2025 – Match 3
- Date & Time: August 7, 2025, 11:00 PM IST
- Venue: Headingley, Leeds
- Format: 100-ball per side
NOS vs WEF Team Form and Key Changes
Northern Superchargers (NOS)
The Superchargers narrowly missed the playoffs last year due to net run-rate and will be eager to make a strong start to their 2025 campaign. Led by Harry Brook, the team has made some solid additions to strengthen its core, including:
- Dawid Malan – An experienced white-ball specialist
- Dan Lawrence – Adds flexibility in the middle order
- David Miller – Brings power-hitting capability
Mitch Santner – Offers control with the ball and depth in batting
Welsh Fire (WEF)
Welsh Fire finished sixth in 2024 with only two wins. However, they’ve made some high-profile signings to change their fortunes:
- Steve Smith – Brings leadership and experience
- Riley Meredith – A potent strike bowler
- Chris Green – Handy all-rounder with variations in spin
Pitch Report – Headingley, Leeds
Headingley is known to be a high-scoring venue in white-ball cricket. The pitch offers very little assistance to bowlers, especially spinners, but seamers can extract some movement with the new ball.
- Average first innings score: 181
- Conditions: Mostly clear skies with no rain expected
- Temperature: Around 16°C
NOS vs WEF: Probable Playing XIs
Northern Superchargers
- Zak Crawley
- Michael Pepper (wk)
- Dawid Malan
- Harry Brook (c)
- Dan Lawrence
- David Miller
- Imad Wasim
- James Fuller
- Adil Rashid
- Matthew Potts
- Mohammad Amir
Welsh Fire
- Steve Smith
- Jonny Bairstow (wk)
- Stephen Eskinazi
- Tom Kohler-Cadmore
- Tom Abell (c)
- Luke Wells
- Paul Walte
- Chris Green
- David Payne
- Riley Meredith
- Mason Crane
Top Fantasy Player Picks
Riley Meredith (WEF)
The Australian pacer was phenomenal in the recent T20 Blast, taking 27 wickets in 13 games at an economy of 8.32. He’s a genuine wicket-taker and can deliver crucial breakthroughs in the powerplay and death overs.
Michael Pepper (NOS)
Pepper is set to bat in the top order and is in prime form, having scored 364 runs in the T20 Blast with a strike rate of 159. His recent century in a First-Class match makes him a hot pick.
Adil Rashid (NOS)
Rashid remains a consistent wicket-taking threat. In the past year, he has bagged 22 wickets in 17 games with an economy of 7.53. His variations can be effective in the middle overs against a slightly unstable Fire batting order.
Captaincy and Vice-Captaincy Options
Harry Brook (NOS) – Captain
Brook is in top touch, fresh off a stellar Test series against India where he struck at a strike rate of over 80. He also boasts 675 runs in The Hundred at an average of 37 and a strike rate of 162, including one century and three fifties.
Jonny Bairstow (WEF) – Vice-Captain
Although his Hundred record isn’t standout, Bairstow is dangerous on his day. He comes in with momentum, having scored both a century and a fifty in his last four T20 Blast outings.
NOS vs WEF Top Differential Pick
Zak Crawley (NOS)
Owned by just 17% of fantasy teams, Crawley could be a game-changer. He scored 215 runs in just four T20 Blast matches at a staggering strike rate of 171. If he gets going at the top, he can set a platform for a massive score.
Grand League Fantasy Team Prediction Today
- Wicketkeeper: Michael Pepper, Jonny Bairstow
- Batters: Harry Brook (C), Dawid Malan, Zak Crawley, Steve Smith
- All-rounders: Imad Wasim, Chris Green
- Bowlers: Adil Rashid, Riley Meredith (VC), Mohammad Amir
This team is well-rounded and ideal for larger contests with differential picks like Crawley and Green.
Small League Fantasy Team Prediction Today
- Wicketkeeper: Michael Pepper
- Batters: Harry Brook (C), Jonny Bairstow (VC), Dawid Malan, Steve Smith
- All-rounders: Imad Wasim, Paul Walter
- Bowlers: Riley Meredith, Adil Rashid, David Payne, James Fuller
This team offers a balance of form, consistency, and big-hitting potential, optimized for safer fantasy leagues.
Final Verdict – Who Has the Edge?
Looking purely on paper, Northern Superchargers appear to be the more well-balanced side. They have a solid core of in-form batters and a versatile bowling unit led by Amir and Rashid. Welsh Fire has big names like Smith and Bairstow, but they appear slightly unsettled with too many new faces and reliance on form rather than cohesion.
Prediction: Northern Superchargers to win
Fantasy Team Prediction Today Summary:
- Pick reliable top-order batters from both teams like Harry Brook, Michael Pepper, and Steve Smith.
- Prioritize wicket-taking bowlers such as Riley Meredith and Adil Rashid.
- Use Harry Brook as your captain and Jonny Bairstow or Riley Meredith as vice-captain depending on risk appetite.
- Consider Zak Crawley or Imad Wasim as differentiators in Grand League contests.
