There are two matches in the Vitality Blast on Thursday evening as the competition continues to meander along towards the halfway mark in the group stage and for the four teams in action this is a chance to pick up a much needed win.
We have one match on TV which is the clash from the North Group between Northamptonshire and Derbyshire and then there is one other match from the South between Middlesex and Somerset which will require the social media feeds and radio commentary for updates. We’ll begin with the TV match.
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Northamptonshire vs Derbyshire
Knockout cricket in this tournament doesn’t usually begin until much later in the competition for when Northamptonshire and Derbyshire meet at Wantage Road on Thursday evening they will effectively be playing a must win match as both have lost their opening four matches and going winless in five pretty much ends any hopes of making it through.
Both sides have lost their matches in different ways. Northamptonshire seem unable to stop the flow of runs against them but with Richard Gleeson on the sidelines and Mohammad Azharuddin no longer at the club they are missing two key bowlers from their recent successful side. Derbyshire have actually bowled pretty well in the main but they have been unable to take advantage of that with the bat.
I like Derbyshire here. Generally the better bowling attack will win T20 matches and there is no doubt in my mind that theirs is performing much the better of these two. Derbyshire have added Billy Godleman to their squad to help with their batting woes so I think they are the pick at odds against.
Although I think Derbyshire will win this match I do think there is plenty of mileage in Ben Duckett to go past 20.5 runs. He has scores of 96 and 88 in the two matches on this ground this season and although he has made 10 and 0 since then the Lancashire bowling attack is one of the best in the tournament and Northants were chasing a miracle at Worcester last time out. Duckett is in good form though and I think he can slap his way to 21 with the field restrictions.
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Middlesex vs Somerset
The one match in the South Group on Thursday evening sees Middlesex taking on Somerset in another match where both sides need a win. The need for victory is not the same as in the TV game but neither will want too many more defeats else the pressure will be mounting.
Middlesex have England captain Eoin Morgan back here while Somerset will be without spin twins Dom Bess and Jack Leach as they are on England Lions duty. That squad takes Dawid Malan and Nick Gubbins away from Middlesex too but Ashton Agar is set for a debut for the home side.
I’m expecting a high scoring match here. Generally Somerset are better with the bat in this format than they are with the ball and with the likes of Peter Trego, Steven Davies, Johann Myburgh and Corey Anderson they are some quick scorers to bat around James Hildreth. Middlesex look to have a long batting line up too so over 320.5 runs looks to have every chance here.
Tips
WON – Back Derbyshire to beat Northamptonshire for a 4/10 stake at 2.15 with BetVictor
Back them here:
Back B.Duckett – Over 20.5 runs for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Betfair
Back him here:
WON – Back Middlesex vs Somerset – Over 320.5 runs for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Karamba
Back it here:
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