The second quarter final of the NatWest T20 Blast takes place on Wednesday night when Glamorgan host Leicestershire in a battle of two sides who went into the competition under the radar.
Glamorgan secured their spot in this match courtesy of winning the South Group of the tournament while Leicestershire were the final side in through the North, but they are three time winners of this tournament so should not be underestimated.
Glamorgan
The Welsh side were hardly spoken of before a ball was bowled in this tournament although not on this site as we backed them to win the competition outright. Nothing has changed our stance on them since as they have dominated almost every match with the bat and then allowed their many bowling options to see them home.
One area of concern for Glamorgan could come in the form that their attack has sometimes gone around the park but even though they have been expensive at times in matches they usually have enough to pull things back. Had it not been for the weather Glamorgan may well have dominated the South Group even more.
Leicestershire
The Foxes have won this tournament three times with their most recent success coming in 2011. There won’t be many of the side which won at Edgbaston six years ago left in the squad now but there is a culture of success in this competition. That experience may be invaluable in this match as they seek another Finals Day visit.
Leicestershire have made it this far off the back of a brutal top order who have destroyed many attacks but also because of their bowling attack. In Clint McKay they have the leading wicket taker in the competition while Matt Pillans has become a revelation in this tournament too. Callum Parkinson has also shot to prominence.
Team News
Glamorgan were hoping to have David Miller back for this quarter final but the match comes a day too soon for him I believe. David Lloyd is fit to return at the top of the order though.
Leicestershire will have their captain Clint Mckay fit for this match. They are expected to be unchanged from the side which saw off Nottinghamshire in their final group game.
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Betting
I’m on Glamorgan to win this tournament and I’m not going to neglect them now especially with Leicestershire tough to predict. They started this competition well, had a major blip in the middle of the group stage, and then finished strongly.
This is actually a rare quarter final in that both sides go into it in good form. That is not always the case so it is a difficult match to predict the outcome of. I’ll sit safe and hope that Glamorgan can move to within a win of an ante-post pay-out by coming through here.
In terms of a bet on the match I like Leicestershire to lead through the first six overs. They come out all guns blazing with the bat and their top four are all pretty aggressive and can put up big totals. Glamorgan play on the front foot with the bat but their aggression tends to come after they have played themselves in. Leicestershire usually begin tighter with the ball too so the 11/10 they lead through six overs is worth taking.
Generally these big knockout matches are won by the players who have the most experience and there are not many in this one that have more experience, or class for that matter, than Jacques Rudolph. The Glamorgan captain will be desperate to make up for the disappointment of losing at this stage last year and he can contribute strongly. Rudolph has three 50s in 11 knocks this season and another could see him to the man of the match prize.
Tips
WON – Back Leicestershire Highest 1st 6 overs for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Skybet
Back them here:
Back J.Rudolph Man of the Match for a 1/10 stake at 9.00 with Betfair
Back him here:
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