We have one match in the NatWest T20 Blast on Saturday which comes in the South Group as Essex host Gloucestershire at Chelmsford. We have reached the stage where every match matters now especially with this group table being so tight.
Both sides go into this clash off the back of heavy defeats in their last match so both will be eager to get a win here. Essex are not in the last chance saloon just yet but the pipes are getting cleaned ready to pour them a drink. A win for Gloucestershire puts them right back in the mix.
Essex
Essex have hit a sticky patch in this tournament after winning just one of their last five matches. After a positive run to the semi-final of the 50 over competition and their excellent standing in the County Championship much was expected of the Chelmsford side in the T20 but it hasn’t materialised.
In recent matches they have hit the dodgy combination of leaking an insane amount of runs and not scoring too many themselves and that is a run that they are going to have to end. They are probably going to have to win at least five of their last six if not all six to make it to the quarter final so each match is huge.
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire head into this match off the back of back to back defeats to Glamorgan and Hampshire and in both matches they let the opposition get away from them when they had the ball in hand. That is something they will need to tighten up although in fairness it is usually a strength of their game.
One area where they won’t be concerned is with the bat. In those two matches Michael Klinger has caught fire and when he is in form a decent score is nearly always assured so that is one comfort blanket but bad runs in this competition can be hard to get out of. They need to be extra tough to break this one.
Team News
Essex are going to be without Alastair Cook and Tom Westley for this match as both are away on England duty. Mohammad Amir continues as overseas player for the home side.
Gloucestershire are expected to pick from the same squad which lost to Hampshire on Friday night which means that Chris Dent remains on the sidelines.
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Betting
Given the way the schedule has fallen I was looking to take Gloucestershire on in this match but then I look at the forecast and it is another night where Armageddon is set to hit a cricket ground so I can’t bring myself to get involved in the match.
If there was some respite in the weather beyond the match where the wind could blow the rain through I might have chanced the sixes or Essex but there isn’t so I won’t. Another night to sit out in the hope that Sunday’s better forecast delivers the goods in terms of a dry patch that we can see some criggit in.
Tips
No Bet
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