Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
Where can I get tickets for the T20 Blast? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for the T20 Blast
What channel is the T20 Blast on in the UK? Sky Sports have the rights to show the T20 Blast so it is worth checking their schedule here
Where can I stream the T20 Blast in the UK? Matches that are televised on Sky Sports can be streamed live on Sky Go. If not televised on Sky, this match can be streamed live on the official websites and YouTube channels of each competing team
THE FIXTURES
Below is a list of the day’s North Group fixtures:
Durham vs Lancashire Lightning - 18:30 BST
Northamptonshire Steelbacks vs Leicestershire Foxes - 18:30 BST
Notts Outlaws vs Worcestershire Rapids - 18:30 BST
Derbyshire Falcons vs Birmingham Bears - 19:00 BST
DURHAM vs LANCASHIRE LIGHTNING
THE LOWDOWN
DURHAM
Durham will be looking to get back to winning ways after losing their 100% T20 Blast record this past Monday at home to Notts Outlaws, but they have their work cut out against a strong side with an excellent record at Chester-le-Street. It was Alex Hales who proved Durham’s undoing on Monday, the Notts opener guiding his side home with 65 not out, supported down the order by the likes of Tom Moores and Shaheen Shah Afridi, Durham failing to defend their score of 168/6.
LANCASHIRE LIGHTNING
It’s quick turnaround for Lancashire Lightning who face their second away fixture in as many days, less than 24 hours after taking on Yorkshire in the first Roses fixture of this season’s North Group. Jos Buttler made his first appearance of the season for the Red Rose and should feature again here in what will be star-studded Lancashire team in both the batting and the bowling department. The big question will be which overseas player gets the nod alongside Daryl Mitchell, with both Colin de Grandhomme and Dane Vilas competing for one spot.
THE PREDICTION
As well as Durham have started the campaign, this Lancashire side are likely to prove too strong an opponent for them to overcome. The big boundaries at Chester-le-Street shouldn’t be an issue for a batting order of such power, whilst the Lightning’s spinners will look at keeping Durham’s batters in check, as they have so successfully in years gone by. Expect an away victory in this one.
TIP: LANCASHIRE TO WIN
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS vs LEICESTERSHIRE FOXES
THE LOWDOWN
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS
Northamptonshire Steelbacks were overwhelmed by the volume of runs they need to chase down on Wednesday night against an excellent Birmingham Bears, which ultimately led to them losing by 21 runs. Whilst they certainly can take positives from their overall performance, the class of the Bears showed. Against a weaker opponent this time round in Leicestershire Foxes, the Steelbacks will be hoping for better.
LEICESTERSHIRE FOXES
It remains to be seen whether playing the day before this one will positively or negatively affect this Leicestershire Foxes side, but this will likely prove another tough assignment for them. There are still huge question marks regarding their ability to score big runs and on a fairly small ground against a team capable of reaching 180+ as they did on Wednesday, the Foxes will have their work cut out.
THE PREDICTION
If Northamptonshire Steelbacks can replicate their performances levels shown against Birmingham, but this time manage to pick up early wickets which they failed to do on Wednesday, then it bodes well for them here against a fragile Leicestershire Foxes batting unit. Not having to embark on any long travel and a day’s rest before this fixture should also serve them well, so consider backing the Steelbacks to gain two points.
TIP: NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS TO WIN
NOTTS OUTLAWS vs WORCESTERSHIRE RAPIDS
THE LOWDOWN
NOTTS OUTLAWS
It’s been solid, but inconsistent start by Notts Outlaws and their most recent home defeat at the hands of Yorkshire Vikings will have significantly annoyed them, especially with the result being Yorkshire’s first victory in any form of cricket since August 2022. However, following the first loss Notts Outlaws suffered this season away at Lancashire Lightning, they bounced back strongly against Durham and will be confident of doing the same here.
WORCESTERSHIRE RAPIDS
Worcestershire Rapids have undoubtedly been the surprise package of this season’s T20 Blast, having won each of their first three matches, this despite losing key players such as Moeen Ali and Ed Barnard. Having said that, those victories have come against the likes of Northamptonshire Steelbacks and Leicestershire Foxes who haven’t started the competition well. Notts Outlaws represents their toughest test so far.
THE PREDICTION
How long can Worcestershire Rapids keep up this fantastic run? One player who has been key for them is Usama Mir, but the Pakistan international has now served his three-match contract at the club, with Mitchell Santner replacing him. This could have an adverse effect on the Rapids when taking into account how important he has been for them. Notts Outlaws may well take advantage of this and you’d expect them to come out fired up after Tuesday night against Yorkshire. Therefore, backing the Outlaws has to favoured.
TIP: NOTTS OUTLAWS TO WIN
DERBYSHIRE FALCONS vs BIRMINGHAM BEARS
THE LOWDOWN
DERBYSHIRE FALCONS
Derbyshire Falcons are back in action a day after competing away against Leicestershire Foxes, hosting Birmingham Bears. Obviously, Derbyshire would have hoped for more points on the board come the start of the tournament, but with a long group stage, there is plenty of time for them to put an extended run of victories together, although they have their work cut out against the North Group leaders.
BIRMINGHAM BEARS
The Birmingham Bears juggernaut goes rolling on, as they extended their perfect record in the North Group on Wednesday, beating Northamptonshire Steelbacks by 21 runs. With four wins from four and a net-run-rate that is comfortably the best of their rivals, it would be a huge surprise if the Bears did not reach the quarter-finals. Whether they will have skipper Moeen Ali available in Derby for the first time this campaign, remains to seen.
THE PREDICTION
Birmingham Bears will rightfully enter this match as overwhelming favourites. They are scoring runs in bucketloads, whilst their bowlers are successfully strangling opponents when defending a score and taking regularly wickets when bowling first, thus restricting their opposition to chaseable totals. Whilst Derbyshire Falcons are an improving side, Birmingham should wind up too strong for them here.
TIP: BIRMINGHAM BEARS TO WIN
