The second semi-final of the Vitality Blast sees two sides with a huge opportunity in front of them doing battle when Derbyshire take on Essex for a place in the final a little more than an hour after the conclusion of this game.
This is the first taste of the big day for Derbyshire while Essex are yet to get their hands on this trophy. One of them will be a win away from the crown after this one so expect a very competitive affair.
Derbyshire
Full credit goes to Derbyshire. There are not many outside of Derby that would have had them coming through the group at the beginning of the competition and there are even fewer who would have thought this was possible halfway through the first stage when they were struggling for consistency. They came home with a wet sail though and brushed Gloucestershire aside in the quarter final and thoroughly deserve to be in their first semi-final.
Clearly countering the nerves and fitting into the occasion will be massive for the Falcons but if they can do that they have an underrated batting line up and a bowling attack that might not be flashy but who all know its roles and does its job. Led by the thinking man of Dominic Cork, a man who himself probably wasn’t looked upon with any great hope heading into the tournament, just quietly Derbyshire look a good outfit.
Essex
Essex have got previous at finals day but not much of it is good it has to be said. The last time they were here they recruited Dwayne Bravo for the day at quite some cost and that fell flat on its face. They have learned their lesson this time round and given that they sit on top of the County Championship with one match to come, this is an Essex side who are getting used to winning. That should never be underestimated.
When you look at this Essex side on paper it doesn’t look particularly strong but plenty of betting looking sides have been shown the exit door at finals day in the past. What they do have is plenty of experience and that is another commodity that is heavily underrated. They need some of their younger bowlers to step up and be counted on the day but it wouldn’t be a complete surprise if that happens.
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Team News
Derbyshire have generally gone in with the same outfit in this competition and they look to have everyone available for finals day. Logan van Beek is their only overseas player. Wayne Madsen and Ravi Rampaul will be key.
Essex will be without their overseas pair of Mohammad Air and Adam Zampa so their home grown bowlers are going to have to get the job done for them around the captain Simon Harmer. Cameron Delport is available though.
Betting
I like Derbyshire here assuming that they settle into the surroundings quickly enough. The fact this is the second semi-final should allow them the chance to acclimatise themselves to the occasion and if they do that they look the better side here. Essex are hit massively by the absence of their overseas bowlers where Derbyshire are at full strength and look to have the sort of attack which will go well in these conditions. I expect this to be a tight game given what is at stake for both sides but I just favour the more settled unit of Derbyshire to come through this one.
If there is to be an Essex charge you would think Ravi Bopara has to have a big game. He’s a big match player at the best of times and I see no reason why he won’t come to the party on the big occasion. His four overs with the ball will be crucial in the absence of Amir and Zampa and we saw in the quarter final how destructive he can still be down the order with the bat. His performance is only 37.5pts which looks achievable to me even in a Derbyshire win.
Ryan ten Doeschate served me well in the quarter final and I’ll take him again in this semi-final. I keep saying it but experience is going to be massive over the course of the day and there aren’t many on this pitch that has more of that than the former Netherlands international. He has played in the biggest T20 leagues and occasions in the world and knows what it is all about and his cool head could well once again top score for Essex in this match up.
Tips
Back Derbyshire to beat Essex for a 4/10 stake at 2.15 with 888sport
Back them here:
Back R.Bopara’s Performance – Over 37.5pts for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Betway
Back him here:
Back R.ten Doeschate Top Essex Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 7.00 with Coral
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