Vitality t20 Blast 2019 – Leicestershire Foxes vs Lancashire Lightning Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Leicestershire Foxes vs Lancashire Lightning taking place? Friday 19th July, 18:30 (UK)
Where is Leicestershire Foxes vs Lancashire Lightning taking place? Fischer County Ground, Grace Road, Leicester
What is the expected weather for Leicestershire Foxes vs Lancashire Lightning? 19c with a strong chance of light rain throughout the evening
What television channel is Leicestershire Foxes vs Lancashire Lightning on? Leicestershire Foxes vs Lancashire Lightning will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Leicestershire Foxes vs Lancashire Lightning? Leicestershire Foxes vs Lancashire Lightning will not be streamed live in the UK
Where can I get tickets for Leicestershire Foxes vs Lancashire Lightning? Tickets are available to be purchased here!
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time meetings: Leicestershire W9, Lancashire W17, Ties 1, No Result 1
Last meeting: Leicestershire beat Lancashire by 5 wickets
THE TEAM NEWS
LEICESTERSHIRE FOXES
Coach: Paul Nixon
Captain: Colin Ackermann
- Last year’s T20 Blast saw Leicestershire fail to make it out of the Northern Group for the sixth time in their last seven seasons, finishing second bottom of the group, and they will have to make some major improvements to challenge this time around.
- Pakistan pace bowler Mohammad Abbas will represent Leicestershire for the second year running as their overseas player, whilst South African Colin Ackermann will once again lead a Foxes side mixing promising youth with reliable experience.
- The Foxes struggled badly in the Royal London One-Day Cup finishing bottom of the North Group, and unless they can somehow find some form and the likes of Abbas can really make an impact, this looks likely to be another difficult campaign for them and this is a tough opener for them.
LANCASHIRE LIGHTNING
Coach: Glen Chapple
Captain: Dane Vilas
- Lancashire suffered frustration last year at finals day, as the 2015 Blast winners were beaten in the semi-finals by Worcestershire Rapids as Lancs fell 20 short of their 170-run target, and they will be hoping to at least reach the knockout phase once again this season.
- The Red Rose county will also welcome back an oversees player from last year’s Vitality Blast campaign, as Australian James Faulkner returns to the side and he will be joined by his fellow Aussie Glenn Maxwell, who will add some serious power to the Lightning’s top order as well as another bowling option.
- Liam Livingstone has suffered an intercostal injury and will miss some time while Saqib Mahmood is also out with an abdominal injury and Alex Davies is nursing his broken finger but they have plenty of strength and depth to cope with a couple of absentees and both their overseas stars are available.
THE PREDICTION
A long time has passed since Leicestershire Foxes were the most feared T20 side in the country and the record three-time winners of the domestic 20-over competition look set for another campaign of struggle. Up against counties with more financial power, the side from the East Midlands will be hoping to punch above their weight and prove their doubters wrong in the Northern Group.
On the contrary, Lancashire Lightning have been consistently strong in this form of the game for a number of years now. They will not be at full strength with the injury to Livingstone but Maxwell should fill the big hitting void left by the Cumbrian and the Red Rose will be expecting to get their Vitality Blast campaign off to a strong start with victory in this game, provided the weather does not scupper their plans.
