The last set of NatWest T20 Blast matches for the weekend come on Sunday when three more matches are played out. They include a top of the table clash in the South between Glamorgan and Gloucestershire while in the North the qualifying picture will become a lot clearer with two matches from up there.
Of the three matches we have one which is on the TV which annoyingly is the Durham vs Leicestershire game not the South Group match. The other two are away from the cameras but we will preview all three games here beginning with the TV one.
Durham vs Leicestershire
These two sides both sit outside the qualifying section and as such this is the last chance saloon for both teams if they are to force their way into the mix. Durham have three wins from their nine matches while Leicestershire have the same but Durham are ahead of them by virtue of having an extra match washed out.
Durham have gradually got worse in this competition especially with the bat with the catalyst for that maybe their match against Leicestershire at Grace Road where they were truly dreadful. One of the reasons for that is their weird batting line up with the likes of Borthwick way down low but in truth they haven’t restricted many sides all season. That might be down to the absence with the ball of Ben Stokes and I believe he plays here just as a batsman too.
Leicestershire won just their third match of the season on Friday night but it was an emphatic win against Derbyshire and gives them something to build on here. They now have both Cameron Delport and Farhaan Behardien offering all-round qualities but more importantly batting depth to a side who have always been fairly competent with the ball.
Durham have never really convinced me in this format and at odds on now looks to be a good time to take them on. Leicestershire generally win matches when they bat well and with Durham struggling to restrict sides it looks the obvious bet to take Leicestershire here.
I’ll also chance a top Durham batsmen in case they make a pig’s ear of things again like they did when these two met in the reverse fixture. Keaton Jennings was the man who rebuilt the innings that day and he is value to be the top scorer again here. He has been a run machine in the Championship this season and while he isn’t going to blast anyone away in this format he can protect his wicket and accumulate the runs nicely enough to top score.
Glamorgan vs Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire saw their grip on top spot disappear on Friday night but a win here and they will not only get it back again but they will guarantee a quarter final spot as well and the same reward is up for grabs for a Glamorgan win as well.
Glamorgan have really impressed me this season and even the departure of Dale Steyn has not derailed them in any way. Their youngsters have blended perfectly with the high quality experience in their batting line up and their bowlers have all stood up to the challenge and they are a formidable side.
Gloucestershire aren’t far behind them mind you. Their batsmen failed to get them home against Kent on Friday night but it is rare they don’t bat well in this format. With the ball they are performing as well as anyone up top and if Andrew Tye gets it right at the death this lot are tough to beat too.
On current form I would side with Glamorgan here but I don’t really want to take either on and with Glamorgan being odds on there is just enough to make me leave this one alone and just see how it goes rather than guessing with confidence how it will play out.
Derbyshire vs Yorkshire
The first thing we should point out is that this match has been moved to Derby from Chesterfield after the Chesterfield ground is under water and unplayable. To be honest this match might be better played under water as these two are two of the poorer exponents of the 20 over game and I’m not sure I could trust either of them.
If pushed I’d side with Yorkshire and I expect them to win but there is nothing in what they’ve shown either this season or the last couple to suggest they warrant being backed at 4/7 on what could be a tricky wicket given how late the game got switched. Easy no bet this one.
Tips
Back Leicestershire to beat Durham for a 4/10 stake at 2.25 with Unibet
Back them here:
Back K.Jennings Top Durham Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 15.00 with 888sport
Back him here:
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