It is the penultimate night of group matches in the NatWest T20 Blast on Thursday night with two matches in the South Group the focus of attention particularly at Lord’s where the TV cameras are positioned.
For Sussex and Essex the night could be very important while for Glamorgan and Middlesex it isn’t as important but they still have things to play for. Middlesex vs Essex is the TV game and Sussex vs Glamorgan is away from the cameras.
Middlesex vs Essex
Both sides have something to play for here. Middlesex might have already qualified for the quarter finals but they are chasing down a home draw while Essex can all but secure a spot in the last eight with a win here. If they don’t win it will be a very nervy night for them on Friday.
Middlesex saw their excellent run in all competitions come to an end at Taunton earlier in the week when an injury to James Fuller cost them dearly and he will miss this match. Eoin Morgan also picked up an injury in that game and he will miss out here but Middlesex do have Dawid Malan back which is important. They have won their last three in this competition.
Importantly Essex have Jesse Ryder back in their ranks now having missed him badly while he was injured. His return was reflected when they chased down a mammoth total against Glamorgan in the One Day Cup earlier in the week. The concern would be the amount of runs they are shipping. They have conceded 300 in their last two 50 over games and 200+ in two of their last three T20 matches.
I don’t really fancy either in the match betting with the odds the way they are but I do like a bet in the sixes market where the line of 10 or more looks perfectly attainable to me. We’ve seen the boundaries in a long way in both matches at Lord’s this season and the hitters on show in this match come thick and fast.
Neither bowling attack is particularly efficient at keeping the runs down. We saw Surrey take this Middlesex attack to the cleaners here last week while Essex are shipping a lot of runs. With the likelihood of a short boundary and two big hitting sides on show we should make it safely into double figures if the rain stays away.
Sussex vs Glamorgan
It is win and hope for Sussex as far as their chances of qualifying for the quarter finals are concerned. They need to win and hope a variety of results go their way. There are no such problems for Glamorgan though. They are safely through and if they win either of their last two matches they will be at home in the last eight.
Sussex have had problems with the bat since Ross Taylor left and if their opening pair of Luke Wright and Chris Nash don’t get going you wonder who will for the Sharks. What doesn’t help is the fact that Mustafizur Rahman is injured and that leaves a hole in their bowling attack big enough that they will need to score runs here.
Glamorgan’s form has suddenly disappeared in white ball cricket with them having lost four of their last five matches in the two competitions with a couple of them very worrying indeed. News has broken that Chris Cooke is out for the season too so Colin Ingram is going to need to continue his good form. The bright spot for Glamorgan is their bowling attack which is very good.
Glamorgan look strong with the bat and the ball in this competition and if they can make sure Nash and Wright don’t get away from them then they can win this one and set up their home quarter final next month.
Tips
VOID – Back Middlesex vs Essex – 10 or more sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.73 with Bet365
Back it here:
VOID – Back Glamorgan to beat Sussex for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Ladbrokes
Back them here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2016
