2023 T20 Blast North Group Preview – 20/06/23
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:
Worcestershire Rapids vs Lancashire Lightning - 17:30 BST
Durham vs Birmingham Bears – 18:30 BST
Leicestershire Foxes vs Notts Outlaws - 18:30 BST
Yorkshire Vikings vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks – 18:30 BST
WORCESTERSHIRE RAPIDS vs LANCASHIRE LIGHTNING
THE PREDICTION
The return of Usama Mir to the side has no doubt given Worcestershire Rapids a significant boost, the Pakistan leg-spinning all-rounder playing a starring role in their win over Leicestershire Foxes. However, Lancashire Lightning boast significantly more firepower with the bat and at a small ground like New Road, the likes of Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone and Daryl Mitchell are expected to cash in. It’s hard to see the Rapids’ batters being able to match such hitting ability and therefore, the smart play is to back an away win.
TIP: LANCASHIRE LIGHTNING TO WIN
DURHAM vs BIRMINGHAM BEARS
THE PREDICTION
Following defeat in Manchester, Durham have now failed to win their last four T20 Blast fixtures, picking up just a point in the process. Birmingham Bears meanwhile, sit top of table with six wins from nine. With the North Group extremely congested, they cannot afford a slip up but with the number of slow bowling options are their disposal, the Bears are well equipped to succeed on a ground like Chester-le-Street. Against an out of form opponents, backing Birmingham Bears has to be favoured.
TIP: BIRMINGHAM BEARS TO WIN
LEICESTERSHIRE FOXES vs NOTTS OUTLAWS
THE PREDICTION
A strong response should be on the cards from Notts Outlaws after having suffered an unexpected big defeat at the hands of Northamptonshire Steelbacks at the weekend. A team of their quality won’t dwell on a poor performance and when you consider the resources at their disposal with both bat and ball, this is likely to be another difficult evening for Leicestershire Foxes, who have lost eight of their ten T20 Blast fixtures this season. Back an away win here.
TIP: NOTTS OUTLAWS TO WIN
YORKSHIRE VIKINGS vs NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS
THE PREDICTION
Northamptonshire Steelbacks are coming of the back of a resounding win over Notts Outlaws, even without Chris Lynn among their side. Yorkshire Vikings meanwhile, suffered one of the heaviest defeats in T20 Blast history, losing by 144 runs at Chesterfield against Derbyshire Falcons. But such is the nature of T20 cricket that you wouldn’t be surprised if the roles were reversed this time round. Yorkshire Vikings are at home, where they have been extremely strong recently and it’s a big ask for Northants on the road to repeat their most recent performance levels. With that in mind, it appears a shrewd move to back a home victory.
TIP: YORKSHIRE VIKINGS TO WIN
