The second quarter final in the Vitality Blast takes place on Wednesday evening when we head to Hove for the clash between the South Group runners up Sussex and the third placed side in the North Group in Lancashire.
These two teams have won this competition in the past but only one of them will be going anywhere near finals day next weekend with the chance to win it once again. These teams have played well in the tournament this term so we should be in for a good one here.
Where to watch
The match will be shown live and in full on the Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket channels with the build-up for this one getting started at 6.45pm ahead of the 7pm start.
Sussex
This has been a very positive campaign for Sussex so far. They were pushing for top spot in the South Group for much of it. In the end they had to settle for second spot but that still means that they host this quarter final and that would have been their overriding aim throughout the initial phase of the competition. I think it is fair to say that their all-format form has dropped off since the end of the group stage though so it will be interesting to see if they can rediscover it for this match.
Sussex have largely dominated matches with the bat in hand this season and they will be hoping that their top order has one more big display in it to earn them a return visit to finals day. The beauty of this Sussex side is that they might not need that though because Jofra Archer has been released to feature for this match and he joins a bowling attack which looks very strong on paper. Sussex are entitled to feel pretty good about their chances in this one.
Lancashire
Lancashire must be wondering how they are having to go on the road for this quarter final because they spent pretty much the entirety of the group stage in the top two of the North Group. The only time they came out of the top two was right at the end of the group and that means they are having to go on their travels and win if they are going to get back to Edgbaston for another crack at the title. This isn’t completely Lancashire’s season because they have to win a match or two to stay up in the Championship but it is their last chance of silverware for the campaign.
Home form has largely been the thing which has carried Lancashire deep in this competition in the past and nothing has changed this season, although the one time they need to win at home, against Northants in their final group game, they couldn’t do it. Generally Lancashire stifle sides with spin in the middle overs and by and large their batting is pretty strong so if they can keep control at both ends of the bowling innings they’ll be tough to stop.
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Key Players
Jofra Archer in county cricket is a bit of a cheat code and if the England bowler can perform to his reputation Sussex will be in a good place, especially if he can get rid of Phil Salt with the new ball and have Lancashire behind the game.
Matthew Hurst found a home for himself at the top of the innings for the Manchester Originals since the last time Lancashire played in this competition and he has just been signed up by the Perth Scorchers for the Big Bash season. Lancashire would welcome a decent innings from him here.
Betting
I think Sussex are the value bet here. I say that largely because they have Jofra Archer back and a cricketer of his quality makes a pretty solid looking Sussex outfit look even stronger. An attack containing him, Tymal Mills, Ollie Robinson and a couple of useful spinners is a dangerous one and it isn’t as though Sussex are weak with the bat with Daniel Hughes in terrific form and Tom Alsop starting to look like a franchise tournament batter.
Lancashire are a good side but they head to Hove without Jos Buttler and the form of Liam Livingstone is unknown. Phil Salt isn’t likely to receive a warm reception either. Chris Green was a big player for the Lightning in the group stage of the tournament but he is away at the CPL now which isn’t ideal, neither is the fact that Lancashire can be hit and miss on their travels. Sussex generally play their home conditions well and look the value play in what will be a cracking quarter final if the international talents on either side perform to their best.
Tips
Back Sussex to beat Lancashire for a 3/10 stake at 2.30 with William Hill
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