What will new Glamorgan-Fire deal mean for Welsh cricket?

Glamorgan chief executive Dan Cherry believes the link-up will allow Fire, and the Sophia Gardens county, to grow alongside Freedom.

He said: “They have got a host of internationally renowned talent playing for them – people like Glenn Maxwell, Lockie Ferguson, Travis Head.

“There are going to be huge opportunities for us potentially to work alongside 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 globally, with strong links in America but also India and Australia.

“It’s a really exciting time for us to grow the brand of Welsh cricket by utilising Welsh Fire but also ensuring that we get the benefits back for Glamorgan County Cricket Club at the same time.”

Fire’s men team have never progressed from the group stages while the women were third in 2023 and runners-up last year.

Cherry hopes an upturn in fortunes can help attract more fans to Cardiff.

“There’s a long road ahead and we have a lot of work to do to fill the stadiums, get the teams winning and make sure we create the best possible environment here in Wales,” he said.

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

“We will be looking to maximise that to ensure that we fill out this stadium and really grow an atmosphere here at Sophia Gardens.”