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:
Lancashire Lightning vs Worcestershire Rapids - 17:00 BST
Birmingham Bears vs Derbyshire Falcons – 18:30 BST
LANCASHIRE LIGHTNING vs WORCESTERSHIRE RAPIDS
THE LOWDOWN
LANCASHIRE LIGHTNING
Lancashire Lightning come into this match under severe pressure and in desperate need of two points following four straight defeats which has left them outside the top four. Granted, each of those losses took place away from home whereas this match sees them playing in Stanley Park, Blackpool. A popular Lancashire outground, expect a short boundary, an excellent batting track and plenty of runs which should favour Lancashire’s star-studded batting line-up (on paper).
WORCESTERSHIRE RAPIDS
Worcestershire Rapids will be hoping to bounce back immediately after slipping to their first defeat of the group stage, ending a 100% record that had seen them win their opening four fixtures. The Rapids fear no opponents in the North Group and with victories vs the likes of Notts Outlaws and Yorkshire Vikings already under their belts, Worcestershire will be hoping to take another big scalp here. A win would see them move four points above their opponents in the North Group table, a significant gap.
THE PREDICTION
It’s important to note that whilst Lancashire Lightning have been desperately poor recently from a performance perspective, they are a significantly stronger side at home. Whilst Blackpool isn’t their usual home patch of Emirates Old Trafford, the ground should suit them and the way they play, particularly the short boundaries. Therefore, tentatively back the Red Rose to overcome the Rapids at Stanley Park.
TIP: LANCASHIRE LIGHTNING TO WIN
BIRMINGHAM BEARS vs DERBYSHIRE FALCONS
THE LOWDOWN
BIRMINGHAM BEARS
After an excellent start in the North Group, Birmingham Bears find themselves under pressure here, having recorded back-to-back defeats against Derbyshire Falcons and Notts Outlaws respectively. The former make up the opposition once again for Birmingham Bears, this time at Edgbaston as the hosts continue to search for the best formula in which to integrate Moeen Ali back into their side without causing disruption. Moeen joined the fold late due to his IPL commitments and as skipper of the team came straight into the starting XI, but the Bears have seen lost both matches that he has been involved in.
DERBYSHIRE FALCONS
Derbyshire Falcons’ recent mini-resurgence came to an end this past Sunday as Yorkshire Vikings ended their run of two straight T20 Blast victories, beating them by seven wickets at Headingley. Whilst such a result is far from a disaster for Derbyshire, getting back to winning ways quickly is vital with them still two points adrift of the top four with a negative net-run-rate and they’ll be hopeful against a team they have already beaten this season.
THE PREDICTION
Birmingham Bears may have lost away at Derbyshire Falcons, but will be expecting to make full use of home advantage here. A team of the Bears’ quality should be too strong to suffer three successive defeats and with Derbyshire still very much reliant on one batter for the vast majority of their runs (Wayne Madsen), the superior strength-in-depth of Birmingham Bears should see them triumph here.
TIP: BIRMINGHAM BEARS TO WIN
