There is one match in the Vitality Blast on Wednesday which has been brought forward to an afternoon start because of the football in the evening. It comes from the South Group and sees Gloucestershire hosting Kent at Bristol.
Both teams have made acceptable starts to the competition. Gloucestershire have a win and a defeat from their two matches while Kent are perfect with two wins from the two games they have played.
Gloucestershire
It was an indifferent start for Gloucestershire when they ran into the Somerset train on the wrong night but to their credit they bounced back to see off Middlesex last time out and if they can find a second win on top of that they will be looking fair heading into the middle of the competition. A defeat will put the pressure back on them.
One positive for Gloucestershire so far has been their batting although with Michael Klinger over again that is almost a given. What they will need to do is ensure their bowling is tight and that they field well because they are up against some top sides in the South Group this year. That said they know what they are doing in this format.
Kent
The One Day Cup finalists have picked up in the Vitality Blast where they left off in that competition with two wins from two and in Surrey and Somerset they have seen off two very competent opponents. It could be argued that they got Surrey at the right time but that is no issue of theirs. They are playing good cricket and will be a force throughout this competition.
We saw in the 50 over competition that their batting is better than just strong. It is insanely good and they have that rare thing of everyone being in form at the same time which is a wonderful place to be in. We did see at times that their bowling can go around the park although that has not happened in their opening two matches.
Team News
Gloucestershire were hoping to have Andrew Tye available for the first time this season but that is not the case. Thisara Perera has already left so Michael Klinger will be the sole overseas player. Benny Howell is out with injury which is a huge blow.
Kent have named an unchanged side which means that Carlos Brathwaite will be in their side once again. Adam Milne is their other overseas player and Sam Billings is available having been left out of England’s ODI squad.
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Betting
I’m expecting Kent to win this match. There is a slight concern over their bowling attack although the overseas duo of Brathwaite and Milne certainly alleviates much of the fear around that but even if their bowlers have a bad day their batsmen are in the form to accommodate for that.
Gloucestershire are without some big players in this match. Benny Howell is probably two players in one for them so he will be a big loss and the absence of Thisara Perera means their batting depth looks a little light. Gloucestershire still have some quality with the ball but with the bat you get the impression if Klinger or Cockbain have a bad day there isn’t much else. Kent are pretty short to win the match but the handicap isn’t a big one to cover and offers enough value to get stuck into.
Tips
Back Kent (-2.5wickets/6.5 runs) to beat Gloucestershire for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
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