The opening match of the Vitality Blast finals day sees Nottinghamshire taking on the defending champions Worcestershire in the first of the two semi-finals at Edgbaston on Saturday, with a place in the final that evening the prize for the winners.
Both these sides know what it takes to win this title, with Worcestershire looking to do something that has never been done before which is make a successful defence of the crown. Nottinghamshire will be keen to rescue their disappointing season here so this first semi is nicely set up.
Nottinghamshire
The struggles of Nottinghamshire in the longer format of the game has been well documented, but in the shortest format they have once again made it through to the big day. We shouldn’t rewrite history and suggest they were perfect or one of the better sides in the first stage because they wasn’t, but against a woeful Middlesex in the quarter final, they were ruthless and powered their way through to finals day once again.
Often the strength of this Nottinghamshire outfit has been their batting but whether it has been the huge amounts of cricket played on the pitches this summer, or just a bad season with the willow, that hasn’t been the case this term, and indeed it has so often been their bowlers that have had to bail them out of trouble and win matches. They will know that the big stage demands a big performance from everyone and will want to produce it.
Worcestershire
It hasn’t been a perfect defence of the title from Worcestershire but if they are taking the trophy back to New Road with them again at the end of Saturday there won’t be anyone complaining. Injuries have had a huge part to play in why we might not have seen the very best of the defending champions but there is no sentiment for excuses now. It is simply play hard and give it everything they’ve got.
I wasn’t surprised Worcestershire won the competition last year. I happen to think that Edgbaston at this time of the year suits them nicely. They have batsmen who can clear the ropes and good glue to nudge it around when they get into trouble and their pace off and spin options are just perfect for this ground. This is a side who know how to win this thing and they won’t want to give their title up easily.
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Team News
Nottinghamshire have got Alex Hales back from the Caribbean Premier League but unfortunately for them Imad Wasim has been called up to a Pakistan training camp so he won’t be involved for them. Their squad does not include Stuart Broad but it does include Steven Mullaney who has missed the tournament so far.
Worcestershire have named Wayne Parnell and Brett D’Oliveira in their squad so they are close to the outfit which won the title last year, aside for Joe Clarke who is in the opposition here. Crucially Moeen Ali is available and with a point to prove.
Betting
I’ll go with two bets in the opening semi-final with the first of them being on the defending champions. These two sides met on the opening night of the competition and Worcestershire ran out comfortable winners that night. The occasion might mean that this is a closer game but ultimately I still expect the result to be the same. Nottinghamshire are somewhat fortunate to be here. They weren’t great in the group stage and Middlesex were beyond horrendous in the quarter final. Worcestershire saw off a good Sussex team in the last eight and should be suited by conditions here. I think they’re the better side so it is the champions for me.
You would think Moeen Ali almost has to have a big say on this semi-final. He was magnificent in the quarter final and indeed his form in this competition has been terrific. His scores alone have been 32, 85*, 23, 51 and 121* and he has a wicket in every match he’s played too including four against Nottinghamshire in the first match between the two this season. He’ll bat at three and bowl his four overs and he’ll field in key positions too. I expect that to equate to more than 44.5pts when this one is done.
Tips
WON – Back Worcestershire to beat Nottinghamshire for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Betfair
Back them here:
WON – Back M.Ali’s Performance – Over 44.5pts for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Betway
Back them here:
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