Cricket

The Steelbacks have shown some improvement in the last few weeks but it is hard to support them and find a way for them to win when they have only won one of their 12 matches this season and have nothing to play for.

Neither side has anything to play for but they will be suitably motivated to face off against their southern rivals. It is difficult to really make a case for either side based on form as they have both been woeful this season, but team news favours the home side here.

Gloucestershire may ease off the gas a little after already qualifying for the knockout stage, but they will struggle against Sussex if they are not fully on their game. The visitors are highly motivated right now and know they have to win their last two matches to qualify for the quarter-finals.

The Tallawahs have started the tournament in ominous form and after the Russell heroics in the opening game, the win on Tuesday night was a really strong all-round performance.

A really tough game to call here as all the pressure is on the Bears who need to get the points to stay alive while the Lightning are in great form but have already qualified for the quarter-finals already.

Everything favours Surrey in this match as they have all the motivation and the team news is positive with Finch returning. Hampshire have shown some improvement in their last couple of matches but they cannot be trusted.

It is difficult to have any confidence in the St Lucia Stars right now as their winless streak dates back to 2016. The last match saw some improvement in Guyana but they contrived to lose from a good position.

The general consistency in Glamorgan’s play has been excellent this season and they typically compete hard in every game. That does not bode well for Sussex in a game that they simply have to win in a key week for them.

Both the Stars and the Patriots struggled on the Providence pitch and that will likely be a factor for the Tridents who play their first game here and may be a little rusty. This is not the type of pitch to start a campaign on but the Tridents have an incredibly strong team.

Kent are without Marcus Stoinis but that absence does not compare to the players not in Middlesex’s squad in the bowling department especially. The visitors appear to prioritising other matches now and are using this competition to blood some players.

The Knight Riders came away on Friday wondering how they lost to the Tallawahs after Andre Russell’s stunning display with bat and ball. They could still take plenty of positives from that match.

Contrasting starts for these two teams as the Amazon Warriors looked impressive in all facets of the game while the Stars struggled badly albeit against the defending champions in the opening match.