There is one last match in the Vitality Blast before a break for a round of County Championship matches and it comes from Chelmsford where Essex host Hampshire in a big game for both sides in the South Group.
It is fair to say that neither have made the start to their campaign that they would have liked and as such the pressure is on the pair of them to win this one. Essex have a win and a no result from five matches while Hampshire have just one win from four games so there is plenty on this one.
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Essex
Essex have lost three of their opening five matches and were in the process of potentially losing another on Friday evening before the rain came along to get in the way. Not only have they been losing matches but when you look at a -0.945 net run rate it is clear that when they are getting beaten they are losing heavily.
One of the reasons for their poor start is they just look a genuine power batsman light, if not two. There is not much difference in the side they are putting out in this competition and the one which plays in four day cricket for them which is a surprise in this time of one day specialists. The break after this game may be a good thing as it clearly needs a rethink.
Hampshire
It was a disastrous start to the campaign for Hampshire with three pretty heavy losses in their opening three matches but a week off came at a good time for them as they picked up a much needed win over Middlesex on Friday evening and if they can back that up with a win here they will have had a good weekend and got themselves back into position in the competition.
Hampshire’s struggles early in the competition came with the bat but they have put in two decent batting efforts in a row now and you can tell confidence is building again. Whether their struggles were down to a hangover from their Lord’s win only they will know but they look like they are getting back to the levels we expect of such a good one day outfit.
Team News
Jamie Porter was stood down by England on Friday night after his exertions for the England Lions in midweek but he is expected to be available for this match which will give their bowling attack a lift. Matt Coles could face his former club.
Hampshire are unlikely to make too many changes to the side which won on Friday night. Kyle Abbott and Sean Ervine are in the squad but are unlikely to get much in the way of action here.
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Betting
Hampshire are all the rage for this match and while I would expect them to win I am going to display a little bit of caution. Both sides have to back up from Friday night and it is never easy to do but Essex could have a slight advantage in that their match was rained off shortly after 7pm whereas Hampshire didn’t finish until around 10pm so by the time they did their media and signing sessions and recovery and everything else it won’t have been too much before midnight and they are playing again some 17hrs later. Hampshire are the favourites but that’s enough reason to send me to the side markets.
Whenever a match takes place at Chelmsford the immediate thought is sixes or boundaries and it is the latter which interests me. The line for the match is 41.5 but with Hampshire having a powerful batting line up which is hitting its stride and a bowling attack that does leak boundaries against an Essex team who ship a lot of boundaries but hit their fair share despite their batting looking light, I think we’re going to see the boundaries flow here. We’ve had 40, 44 and 40 boundaries on this ground so far without a top order truly nailing the powerplay. I’m expecting powerful top orders to cut loose here and guide us to 42 boundaries and beyond.
Tips
Back Over 41.5 boundaries for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with William Hill
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