There is just the one match in the Vitality Blast on Saturday and for the second week in a row it comes in the evening after the play in the Test match has concluded. This week it comes from the North Group as Derbyshire host Leicestershire.
This is a huge match. Derbyshire and Leicestershire are two of the five sides battling it out for the last quarter final space in the North and the winner here will enhance their chances. With matches running out the loser of this one will be done for the season.
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Derbyshire
It has been something of a tale of two halves for Derbyshire this season. I say that because they lost their first four matches and then they went on a winning run but they were unable to maintain that and have now lost three of their last four and are in danger of undoing their hard work. They can still go through but they have to win both remaining matches.
The strength of Derbyshire this season has come in their bowling attack. They have a battery of seamers who are of the top class and they have kept Derbyshire in certain matches and won them many others. It is their batting that has been hit and miss throughout the tournament. When they’ve gone well Derbyshire have won. Things have been more balanced when they’ve not gone so well.
Leicestershire
The Foxes have not been able to get any kind of consistency going this season but they have done enough to win enough matches to keep them in the hunt for a quarter final place. Leicestershire can still progress but they will need to win both their last two matches with one of them by a decent margin but with rock bottom Northamptonshire in their final game that might not be impossible.
If Leicestershire are going to win these last two games then they will need all parts of their game to be strong. They have big players who will need to perform but they will also need two complete performances. They have won two of their last three against Lancashire and Worcestershire though so they have proved they are capable enough.
Team News
Derbyshire will be without Wahab Riaz from here on in as he is off to play in the CPL. Henry Nicholls has come in for the final two matches which will help their batting depth but suddenly Derbyshire don’t look quite as fearsome with the ball.
Leicestershire have added Dieter Klein to the XI that saw off Worcestershire last time out although it is expected that they will name an unchanged side barring any last minute issue with anyone.
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Betting
I always feel form is important in T20 cricket and I especially think that is the case when we get to the latter stages of the competition so with that in mind I think Leicestershire are the value in this match.
Derbyshire have begun to stumble in recent times. Whether that was because of the pressure of pushing for a quarter final spot or whether they simply haven’t been good enough only they will know but they have hit the buffers at the wrong time. Wahab Riaz has been a big player for them and he is missing and that is key too. If Leicestershire’s batsmen can stand up and be counted here then I expect the Foxes to keep their campaign alive.
Hardus Viljoen has been sent up the order a couple of times in this competition for Derbyshire but in recent times it has been Wahab Riaz who has gone in to give it a bit of Reggie Biffington but with him having left I’m expecting the South African to be on slap and tickle duties. I’m not saying he’ll top score or he’s a certainty to score big or anything like that but he looks like he’ll get a chance and at 50/1 there are worse bets for top scorer.
Tips
VOID – Back Leicestershire to beat Derbyshire for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Coral
Back them here:
VOID – Back H.Viljoen Top Derbyshire Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 51.00 with Ladbrokes
Back him here:
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