There are three more matches in the NatWest T20 Blast on Thursday night with one of the matches on TV and the other two away from the live cameras. After a pair of winners on Wednesday evening we go into the matches with some good form behind us and looking to build on a strong start to the tournament.
Worcestershire face Yorkshire in the TV match while away from the limelight Middlesex take on Gloucestershire at Northwood and Hampshire host Kent in a big South Group clash. As ever we’ll begin with the TV outing.
Worcestershire vs Yorkshire
Worcestershire have started the season in excellent touch in both competitions although they hit the buffers against Gloucestershire in the Championship in the week but they are two wins from two in this tournament with wins over Durham and Birmingham.
Yorkshire have played just the one match so far and they were spectacularly beaten by Leicestershire but as you would expect their four day form has been solid and they go into this match off the back of a fine Roses win to give them some confidence for two big matches this week.
Worcestershire will be without Mitchell Santner although they didn’t miss him last week but Matt Henry returns nice and fresh after sitting out the Championship defeat. Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Brett D’Oliveira have both impressed so far.
Yorkshire welcome David Willey back into their squad albeit as a batsman only. He smashed a ton for the second team recently so he’s in decent nick. Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root will be available for the Roses clash but they haven’t been released for this one which seems more than a bit strange.
These two have met twice at New Road in T20 and Worcestershire have won on both occasions and I’m liking their chance of making it a hat-trick of wins here. They look to have nice balance in their batting and good variety in their bowling whereas with all the injuries they have Yorkshire just look a little light with the ball which is less than ideal. Yorkshire will be a stronger side later in the week but this looks like Worcestershire’s time.
I’m also going to have a dabble at a top batsman in this match which comes in the form of Will Rhodes for Yorkshire. Rhodes top scored in Yorkshire’s heavy defeat to Leicestershire last week and has been going well with the bat this season having bagged 95 against the MCC in the season warm up.
Worcestershire have bowlers in Matt Henry, Joe Leach and Jack Shantry who can take wickets up front in the powerplay and that can open the door to someone down the order to profit. Rhodes is overpriced on what we’ve seen so far this season and is worth a unit.
Middlesex vs Gloucestershire
This should be a great match. Middlesex are star studded this season and the likes of Eoin Morgan, Brendon McCullum and Mitch McClenaghan are all available for this match but Gloucestershire fear nobody as we saw in the One Day Cup last season and in Michael Klinger and Andrew Tye they have two excellent overseas players of their own.
Middlesex should be a gun side this season but in the back of my mind I still have reservations about taking them, especially at 8/13. I’d still expect them to win but at that price I’m happy to see it happen. Gloucestershire could be described as value but for once this is a batting line up I’m not willing to take on especially on this small outground.
Hampshire vs Kent
I’m a little surprised this isn’t the TV match after the spectacle the two sides put up when it was on the box last season. Hampshire are a very strong side in this format historically with the Ageas Bowl often a fortress but Kent went there and won last year and I fancy they might do similar here.
Alex Blake was the hero last season but if anything Kent’s batting is stronger now than it was then with Bell-Drummond and Denly in such good form and Tom Latham backing them up. Sam Northeast and Darren Stevens are competent too. James Tredwell is still very good at this level while Matt Coles and David Griffiths might have a point to prove.
Hampshire have been allowed to play James Vince in this one while Darren Sammy will make his T20 debut for the club. Shahid Afridi is also in the squad while Gareth Berg returns from injury but Chris Wood and Fidel Edwards are out long term. Ryan McLaren isn’t playing T20 so Tino Best has the chance to star.
I’m not so sure this Hampshire side is as strong as previous ones as I mentioned last week prior to their match with Middlesex. They were duly taken to the cleaners that afternoon and I worry the same could happen here. Kent are a vibrant side who are strengthened from their win over Somerset with the return of Sam Billings and man for man they look a better side to me. At even money they’re the pick here.
Tips
WON – Back Worcestershire to beat Yorkshire for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Bet365
Back them here:
Back W.Rhodes Top Yorkshire Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 17.00 with Paddy Power
Back him here:
Back Kent to beat Hampshire for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Ladbrokes
Back them here:
