Vitality t20 Blast 2019 – Durham Jets vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Durham Jets vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks taking place? Friday 19th July, 18:30 (UK)
Where is Durham Jets vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks taking place? Emirates Riverside, Chester-le-Street
What is the expected weather for Durham Jets vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks? 19c with cloudy and the possibility of light rain
What television channel is Durham Jets vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks on? Durham Jets vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Durham Jets vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks? N/A
Where can I get tickets for Durham Jets vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks? Tickets can be purchased for the game here!
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time meetings: Durham W7, Northamptonshire W6, No Result 3
Last meeting: Durham beat Northamptonshire by 12 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
DURHAM JETS
Coach: James Franklin
Captain: Stuart Poynter
- Last year saw the Jets make it to finals day for the second time in three years, however they were downed in the semi-finals by a strong Sussex Sharks side but they remain one of only six counties who have yet to win the Vitality Blast since its inception in 2003.
- Australian batsman and club captain Cameron Bancroft will miss the opening three games at least after being called up by Australia A to play England so he is absent from the top of the order which is a blow as the Aussie is currently enjoying a successful season in the North East since his return to cricket following a nine-month suspension although this is arguably his weakest format of the game.
- Durham have also signed destructive opening batsman D’Arcy Short as their second overseas player and the Australian T20 international, who also bowls left arm spin, will be tasked with getting the Jets off to a fast start during the all-important powerplay overs though they will be without their England stars – Mark Wood who is injured and Ben Stokes who is be rested – for this opening match.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS
Coach: David Ripley
Captain: Josh Cobb
- The two-time winners of the Vitality Blast failed to live up to their usual high standards in 2018, finishing rock bottom of the Northern group with only five points and two wins from their 14 games.
- South African all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius has joined the Steelbacks as an overseas player for this year’s competition and he will be joined by another all-rounder in Pakistan star Faheem Ashraf so the duo offer good quality with bat and ball.
- Following the resignation of Alex Wakely as club captain back in June, Northants will be led by Josh Cobb in this year’s Vitality Blast and he is a big hitting batsman who played a starring role in Northants’ 2016 Blast success, scoring 80 runs from just 48 balls to guide them to victory in the grand final.
THE PREDICTION
Durham Jets look in good shape to push on from their semi-final appearance in last year’s competition as their batting led by D'Arcy Short looks intimidating on paper and if he fires, the Jets will rack up some big totals in this year’s competition. On the other hand, Northamptonshire Steelbacks look less imposing after a dismal 2018 campaign and will be the underdogs going into this match.
The forecast suggests a rain affected game is in prospect but regardless of any reduction in overs, the Jets should be too strong for the Steelbacks at Emirates Riverside, with or without their England World Cup stars which they are accustomed to.
