Vitality t20 Blast 2019 – Notts Outlaws vs Worcestershire Rapids Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Notts Outlaws vs Worcestershire Rapids taking place? Thursday 18th July, 19:00 (UK)
Where is Notts Outlaws vs Worcestershire Rapids taking place? Trent Bridge, Nottingham
What is the expected weather for Notts Outlaws vs Worcestershire Rapids? 19-21c with cloud and a small chance of rain
What television channel is Notts Outlaws vs Worcestershire Rapids on? Notts Outlaws vs Worcestershire Rapids will be shown live Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event
Where can I stream Notts Outlaws vs Worcestershire Rapids? Notts Outlaws vs Worcestershire Rapids will be streamed live on Sky Go
Where can I get tickets for Notts Outlaws vs Worcestershire Rapids? Tickets can be purchased for the game here!
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Last meeting: Notts Outlaws beat Worcestershire Rapids by 5 wickets
THE TEAM NEWS
NOTTS OUTLAWS
Coach: Peter Moores
Captain: Dan Christian
- Notts will be delighted to take their minds off a nightmare red ball season thus far and turn their attention to the shortest format of the game as they have qualified from the Northern group for the past three seasons running and will expect the same again this year.
- Oversees player Dan Christian will return to captain the Outlaws for the fourth Blast season in a row and the experienced campaigner will be key to their hopes as will Alex Hales who will have something of a point to prove to the team and England after his recent issues.
- All-rounder Steven Mullaney has had knee surgery and will miss some time so that weakens them slightly but they do have plenty of quality in their ranks with the likes of Hales, Duckett, Gurney and Patel, so will be targeting this competition for success this season.
WORCESTERSHIRE RAPIDS
Coach: Alex Gidman
Captain: Joe Leach
- The reigning Vitality Blast champions kick off the defence of their title at Trent Bridge against the team they took it from originally as arguably the least fancied side at last year’s finals day, the Rapids, surprised everyone by beating Lancashirebefore a brilliant 46 not out from wicketkeeper Ben Cox led them to victory over Sussex Sharks in the grand final.
- The Rapids will be buoyed by the return of Martin Guptill and Callum Ferguson as their oversees players as both Kiwis were instrumental in their successful 2018 campaign and the same will be expected of them this year.
- They have been boosted by the news that the ECB have given permission for star all-rounder Moeen Ali to play the opening two matches for them while their overseas stars are also available right from the start so they can field what will arguably be their strongest team for this opening match.
THE PREDICTION
This looks like it will be a very tight match to call between two strong white ball sides. Worcestershire Rapids will be worried about the form of Martin Guptill going into the match, with the New Zealander suffering from a chronic lack of runs at the World Cup but they are boosted by the availability of him, Ferguson and Moeen Ali for this opening match.
The Outlaws will be hoping that their County Championship form doesn’t transcend into the Vitality Blast. Dan Christian returning to Trent Bridge will give everyone at Notts a much-needed confidence boost and along with the likes of Alex Hales and Harry Gurney coming into the side, it should be a reinvigorated Notts side that takes to the field on Thursday. Add that to having home advantage, the Outlaws are marginally favoured albeit in a match that could easily go either way.
