There are three NatWest T20 Blast matches on Thursday evening with two from the South Group and one from the North. The competition is really hitting full stride now so each match carries extra significance.
There is one match on the TV and two away from the cameras. Once again we will start out preview with the TV match even though it is the last game to begin.
Essex vs Gloucestershire
Two sides in need of a win meet at Chelmsford as Gloucestershire with two wins and two defeats take on Essex who only have one win from their opening four matches in the tournament.
Although you would think both teams are low in form and confidence that might not be the case. Essex have begun the Royal London One Day Cup in fine form while Gloucestershire won their last game in that competition so we might be getting a better match than it perhaps looks on paper.
Both sides probably have their strength in the batting department rather than the bowling so I’m expecting a high scoring match here and one which has a number of sixes. The line is 12 which is quite low for this ground especially with the boundaries in to accommodate Sky’s pod. I think that is a line that gets covered.
Lancashire vs Northamptonshire
I was going to take Northamptonshire in the only North Group match but having seen the pictures of Old Trafford under water there isn’t going to be any reasonable play and so with that this match is easy to avoid.
Middlesex vs Sussex
Two of the stronger sides in the South Group collide at Lord’s in what should be a really good game of cricket. The bookmakers have this one about level and I would probably agree. If I gave the edge to anyone it would be to Sussex with their bowling attack but having run into a Brendon McCullum masterclass once this week already I’m not rushing to run into another. I’m on Sussex outright so that can be my only interest in that match.
Tips
WON – Back Essex vs Gloucestershire – 12 or more sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
Back it here:
