There are three more matches in the NatWest T20 Blast on Thursday night as the competition continues at a frantic pace. Although the Test match takes centre stage during the day we do have a match to enjoy on the box as well as two others which will get the usual county media treatment.
The TV match might be the last to begin but we will begin our preview with that and then cover the other two matches after that.
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Kent vs Somerset
Two sides chasing a top four spot in the South Group meet at Canterbury when Kent host Somerset. Somerset moved up to third in the table with a win over Hampshire on Wednesday night while Kent sit in sixth after three matches without a win.
I have a feeling Kent will get their campaign going here. They have a wonderful record against Somerset and they will be helped by Somerset and the schedule they have to endure. Somerset finished a match against Hampshire shortly after 8pm and then had to make the long journey to Canterbury which is a good 4-5hr trip. It is quite feasible that they didn’t arrive until 2-3am if not later so backing that up won’t be easy.
In fairness Kent haven’t been dreadful in this competition. They should have chased down 130 odd against Gloucestershire and then ran into Brendon McCullum on top form but there is nothing like that in this Somerset side so if Kent bat sensibly I fancy them to extend their good record over Somerset.
James Hildreth has hit some good form with the bat in recent times and at 11/2 he could be overpriced to be the top scorer for the visitors in this match. His last four knocks have been 27, 38, 63 and 25 and if he has another one of those up his sleeve he could well take down the top bat honours.
Northamptonshire vs Worcestershire
Worcestershire go in search of back-to-back wins in this match after finally getting off the mark on Wednesday night when they took care of Nottinghamshire in a high scoring match. They go up against the defending champions Northamptonshire who are riddled with injuries head into this one.
On any normal night I would take the visitors here. There is no doubt there is value in them but I can’t bring myself to take a side who have played the night before. Although Nottingham to Northampton is not far it is the emotional highs and lows of that game which I fear could take its toll. I’ll leave this one alone.
Middlesex vs Essex
Two of the bottom three in the South Group meet at Lord’s in front of what is expected to be a sold out crowd in a match where the loser is going to find it hard to make it into the quarter finals so there is a lot at stake.
Both sides will be missing players in this one. Middlesex will be missing Toby Roland-Jones for certain and they could be without Dawid Malan too as they are away with England although if Malan doesn’t play in the Test he is likely to be released to play here. Essex will be without Tom Westley but he is averaging less than 20 in this competition with a top score of 29 so as good as he is his impact so far is replaceable.
I like Essex here. I think the time is right for them to get their campaign right on track. They knocked off Hampshire in their last completed match and if they can keep Brendon McCullum quiet they should be able to beat a Middlesex side who are bang average in this format.
Tips
WON – Back Kent to beat Somerset for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Ladbrokes
Back them here:
Back J.Hildreth Top Somerset Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 6.50 with Paddy Power
Back him here:
Back Essex to beat Middlesex for a 4/10 stake at 2.15 with LeoVegas
Back them here:
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