The announcement of the new eight-team men's and women's tournament series in 2019 was not without controversy, with the likes of Virat Kohli criticising the England and Wales Cricket Board for pursuing a shift away from Test cricket, while others argued the format should have followed the established and successful Twenty20 format. However, the ECB decided it needed a unique format to draw crowds. It was announced in June 2019 that the side would be named the Welsh Fire, and would be joint run by Glamorgan as well as Somerset and Gloucestershire County Cricket Clubs. It would draw on players from the three counties in the inaugural draft. It had been reported that the side might rename to Western Fire, to allay concerns in Somerset and Gloucester that they were not sufficiently represented by the side, but this did not come to fruition. In July 2019 the side announced that former South Africa and India coach, and current Royal Challengers Bangalore coach Gary Kirsten as the men's team coach. Kirsten is also rumoured to be in line to succeed Trevor Bayliss as England head coach. The women's side will be managed by Matthew Mott, a former Glamorgan coach and the current Australia women's national cricket team coach. The inaugural Hundred draft took place in October 2019 and saw the Fire claim Jonny Bairstow as their headline men's draftee, and Katie George as the women's headliner. They are joined by Somerset wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Banton, Glamorgan batsman Colin Ingram, and England batter Bryony Smith. Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc were selected as the flagship £125,000 signings in the first round and are two of the side's three overseas stars, along with Afghanistan's Qais Ahmed. With Colin Ingram and Tom Banton already occupying the £100,000 slots, Welsh Fire sat out the second round. Ravi Rampaul and Ben Duckett were selected in the third round for £75,000 and Simon Harmer, along with Qais Ahmed, were bought for £60,000 in the fourth. Liam Plunkett and Ryan ten Doeschate were the picks in the fifth round for £50,000 and Gloucestershire duo David Payne and Ryan Higgins were selected in the sixth round for £40,000. Danny Briggs and Leus du Plooy complete the squad, having both been bought for £30,000 in the final round. The final place in the squad will go to an outstanding performer in next season's Vitality Blast 20-over competition. Australian Meg Lanning was the next pick for the ladies' team.
