Vitality t20 Blast 2019 – Hampshire vs Sussex Sharks Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Hampshire vs Sussex Sharks taking place? Friday 19th July, 19:00 (UK)
Where is Hampshire vs Sussex Sharks taking place? The Ageas Bowl
What is the expected weather for Hampshire vs Sussex Sharks? 19c with dark cloud and consistent rain expected as the evening progresses
What television channel is Hampshire vs Sussex Sharks on? Hampshire vs Sussex Sharks will be shown live on Sky Sports Cricket
Where can I stream Hampshire vs Sussex Sharks? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via Sky Go
Where can I get tickets for Hampshire vs Sussex Sharks? Check https://www.ecb.co.uk/T20-Blast for updates about tickets
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time meetings: Hampshire W15, Sussex W10, No result 5
Last meeting: No result
THE TEAM NEWS
HAMPSHIRE
Coach: Adrian Birrell
Captain: James Vince
- Historically a strong Vitality Blast team, two-time winners Hampshire suffered rare disappointment last year, finishing a lowly 8th place in the Southern group as they suffered something of a hangover after winning the Royal London One-Day Cup in 2018, but they will expect to do much better this time around.
- South African all-rounder Chris Morris has been recruited as an overseas player for the tournament and will join the clutch of Kolpak players on Hampshire’s books such as Rilee Rossouw, Kyle Abbott and Fidel Edwards and they are all named in the squad for this match other than Edwards.
- For the first time since May in any competition, they can count on skipper James Vince and Liam Dawson following England duty and the duo both make the squad and will play which is a massive boost to the team.
SUSSEX SHARKS
Coach: Jason Gillespie
Captain: Luke Wright
- Last year’s Vitality Blast runners-up will be hoping to go one step further this time around, after last year’s grand final defeat to Worcestershire Rapids. The Sharks finished third in the Southern group last year, before dispatching Durham Jets in their quarter-final at Emirates Riverside, and they will be confident of going just as far this season.
- Sussex boast arguably the most intimidating pair of oversees players in the entire competition as Afghanistan’s star leg-spinner Rashid Khan has established himself as one of the best T20 bowlers in the world and will play for the Sharks alongside Alex Carey, who joins Sussex off the back of an outstanding individual World Cup for Australia.
- Much will be expected of Luke Wright, Phil Salt and Laurie Evans with the bat, while Tymal Mills and Chris Jordan will form an exciting bowling attack with Rashid Khan which still possesses plenty of quality even without England star Jofra Archer who will miss time due to a side strain.
THE PREDICTION
Always one of the more eagerly anticipated fixtures in the Southern Group, the first derby match between Hampshire and Sussex Sharks kicks off each team’s Vitality Blast campaign. The aptly dubbed ‘El Classicoast’ gives both sides an opportunity to secure early seaside bragging rights, along with a vital two points in their quests to finish in the top four of the Southern Group.
Sussex’s side looks ready made for the Vitality Blast and are rightly seen as one of the favourites to win the whole competition. With big hitters up top such as Luke Wright, middle order finishers such as Alex Carey and economical wicket takers such as Rashid Khan and Chris Jordan, the Sharks have every angle covered. They should prove too strong for a Hampshire team who have not quite managed to produce the goods in the shorter format of the game.
