The second semi-final of the NatWest T20 Blast on Saturday afternoon is an exact replica of the same match 12 months ago as Hampshire take on Lancashire for a place in the final later in the day.
This will actually be the third season in a row these two counties have met in the knockout stages of this tournament. Two years ago they met in a high scoring quarter final at the Ageas Bowl which Hampshire won by one run with both sides scoring over 200 runs. Lancashire got their revenge in the semi-final last year winning by 41 runs in a rain affected match.
Hampshire finished in third place in the South Group but at one stage they were in danger of not qualifying at all. That sent them to Worcestershire for their quarter final and courtesy of a brilliant ton from James Vince, Hampshire eased past the Rapids and booked their spot at a sixth successive finals day, a quite remarkable achievement.
Lancashire were fourth in the North Group but they’ve had the advantage of effectively playing knockout cricket in this competition for a while now. They’ve been playing it well too. In the quarter final they travelled to Kent and saw them off by virtue of losing fewer wickets in one of the most dramatic matches of the season.
Hampshire will be without Jackson Bird for this day but he hasn’t featured all that much for them this season anyway. Sean Ervine and Liam Dawson are both fit and raring to go. Mason Crane could be a potential star at a tender age.
Lancashire have been given permission to play Jos Buttler on finals day and that will be a major boost as he showed in the quarter final win. James Faulkner’s suspension by Cricket Australia means he is available for Lancashire too but there is no Jimmy Anderson as he has been rested by England following his recent injury. Kyle Jarvis has broken a hand so he misses out too but George Edwards returns from injury.
Both these sides have fine traditions in this competition but Lancashire might feel they are under a little more pressure in the match considering they have never won this tournament. They have been close on a number of occasions but as yet they haven’t managed to get the job done.
Hampshire are two time winners of the tournament but they have lost in the semi-final in the last two seasons and will be determined to avoid the hat-trick in this match.
I’m expecting a really competitive semi-final here but at the prices I think Lancashire are value to repeat last year’s win at this stage. The addition of Jos Buttler can’t be understated and this could easily come down to a battle of the death bowling and I’d probably give Lancashire the edge there.
These two sides met in the 50 over competition a couple of weeks ago in Southampton and Lancashire were comfortable winners. If they can keep Hampshire’s opening pair quiet there isn’t much form in those coming down the order so that could be the game for the Red Rose. At 11/10 they’re the value here.
I also think Lancashire are the value when it comes to hitting the most sixes as well. Hampshire have this reputation for being a big hitting side but the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Shahid Afridi and Dimi Mascarenhas – all big hitters – are in the past for them and none of their top four are strong six hitters. Carberry can hit them when he gets going but not to the tune that a David Willey or someone does.
Lancashire aren’t the biggest hitting team in the world either but they have a number of players who can clear the ropes in the likes of Karl Brown, Steven Croft, James Faulkner and of course Jos Buttler. Hampshire only have three men with double figures when it comes to sixes this season. Carberry, Vince and Shah. With form very much an issue with the bat for Hampshire and having seen their death bowlers carted to all parts in Bristol in the week I’ll go with Lancashire for the most sixes here.
As with the other semi-final I’ll chance a top batsman in this match at a decent price and it comes in the Hampshire market. As I’ve alluded to above only the openers are in particularly great form at the minute so someone down the order could easily go in at a nice price if the openers fail as they have done at this stage for the last two seasons.
Will Smith scored 65 in a recent 50 over game on this ground so he has good memories of the place from that and he bashed a 25-ball 50 in Bristol earlier in the week which might have earned him a slot a place or two up the order. He can rebuild a flagging innings or give it some impetus if needed so at 12/1 with both type of innings available to him the former Durham man could be worth chancing here.
Back Lancashire to beat Hampshire for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Stan James
Back Lancashire Most 6s for a 3/10 stake at 2.10 with Betway
Back W.Smith Top Hampshire Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 with Boylesports
Blog cricket YTD: -6.53pts
