What will Glamorgan-Fire deal mean for Welsh cricket?

Glamorgan thinks the Welsh Fire investment will help Wales’ cricket by enhancing their national identity abroad.

The Welsh county’s ownership of The Hundred franchise and Washington Freedom, who are Sanjay Govil’s neighbors, have been reached.

After the competition this year, investors in all Hundred teams will assume operational control starting on October 1. The value of fire was estimated at £84.6%.

Dan Cherry, the company’s CEO, thinks the partnership will allow for Freedom and Fire to expand together.

He added, “They have a number of internationally renowned talent playing for them, including Travis Head, Lockie Ferguson, and Glenn Maxwell.”

“We could work together with the Washington Freedom team to hopefully share players, coaches, ideas on the playing side, and then off the field tap into new markets for us internationally, with strong ties in America as well as in India and Australia.

“We’re at a really exciting time because we can use Welsh Fire and ensure that Glamorgan County Cricket Club receives the benefits at the same time.”

Women were third in 2023 and runners-up last year, but Fire’s men team never advanced past the group stage.

Cherry hopes that Cardiff’s fortunes will turn around to attract more fans.

He said, “We have a lot of work to do, and we have a long way to go,” to fill the stadiums, ensure the teams win, and create the best possible environment in Wales.

“Mr. Govil and his team in America have benefited from having a strong identity. Like some of the other teams, he continued, “We are representing a country, not just a city.”

On August 7th, Fire kick off their 2025 campaign with a doubleheader against Northern Superchargers in Leeds.

Ben Kellaway from Chepstow and Mason Crane from Glamorgan will play for the men, while Alex Griffiths from Wales will play for the women.

“We haven’t really had a Glamorgan core, and that’s something we’d love to do,” cherry said.