The opening night of the NatWest T20 Blast sees seven matches taking place up and down the country on Friday as both the South Group and the North Group get underway under what should be clear skies on a baking hot day – ideal for T20!
We have a TV match which comes after the Test match with the other six matches all live on the radio with updates in the usual places so it should be a top night of cricket.
North Group
Defending champions Northamptonshire get their title defence underway when they host Derbyshire at Wantage Road while the side they beat in the final 12 months ago Durham host Lancashire at the Riverside. Nottinghamshire head to Yorkshire for a high profile clash at Headingley while there is a derby at New Road as Worcestershire take on Birmingham Bears
South Group
The TV match comes from this group as the Essex Eagles host Kevin Pietersen, Jason Roy and their Surrey teammates at Chelmsford. Hampshire make the long trip to Cardiff to go up against Glamorgan while the first match of the day sees Gloucestershire hosting Middlesex at Cheltenham.
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Betting
I’m going with bets in three matches on the opening day. In the first match at Cheltenham the total runs line between Gloucestershire and Middlesex looks low at 330.5. If the match was at Bristol then it might be right but the small boundaries and fast outfield at Cheltenham is a different story. There has just been a four day match here so I would imagine there will be a shorter boundary than usual somewhere and they are not big at the best of times. The likes of Brendon McCullum, Eoin Morgan, Dawid Malan, Paul Stirling, Michael Klinger and Cameron Bancroft are all on show here and I’m expect both sides to pile on the runs.
Worcestershire had a good 50 over competition and I see no reason why they won’t go well in the T20 too. They take on a Birmingham who stunk the place out in the One Day Cup and who seem to be a side in transition heading into this campaign. Birmingham are going to need some serious output from their New Zealanders but if that doesn’t come the better balanced Worcestershire can get off to a winning start.
We saw in the One Day Cup semi-final at Chelmsford just how small the boundaries are there and how accessible they are. I fully expect them to be peppered by both Essex and Surrey in this match. Surrey have some real top level batsmen but Essex aren’t short of their own stars with the bat. I’m surprised the boundary line is only 37.5 here but I expect it to be covered. The weather has been good so the outfield should be quick and the wicket flat. I’m on overs in that market.
I can’t resist my cheeky punt on Ryan ten Doeschate to be the top Essex batsman. In that semi-final only Alastair Cook outscored him and he isn’t playing in the T20s as he is away with England. There is some talent in this Essex side but the quality of ten Doeschate is well known. At 6/1 he can lead his side with the top score.
Tips
WON – Back Gloucestershire vs Middlesex – Over 330.5 runs for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
Back it here:
Back Worcestershire to beat Birmingham Bears for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Winner Sports
Back them here:
WON – Back Essex vs Surrey – Over 37.5 boundaries for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with William Hill
Back it here:
Back R.ten Doeschate Top Essex Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 7.00 with Paddy Power
Back him here:
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