2023 T20 Blast North Group Preview – 23/06/23
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:
Birmingham Bears vs Worcestershire Rapids - 18:30 BST
Durham vs Yorkshire Vikings – 18:30 BST
Lancashire Lightning vs Derbyshire Falcons - 18:30 BST
Leicestershire Foxes vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks – 18:30 BST
BIRMINGHAM BEARS vs WORCESTERSHIRE RAPIDS
THE PREDICTION
A packed crowd is expected at Edgbaston as Birmingham Bears take on local rivals Worcestershire Rapids, who they have already beaten at New Road this season. This clash saw the Bears thrash the Pears in 2022 and their strength-in-depth batting wise should prove crucial against the Rapids. Worcestershire are not to be underrated, having surprised everyone so far this season in the T20 Blast. But the all-round T20 class of Birmingham Bears should wind up too strong for them in this one.
TIP: BIRMINGHAM BEARS TO WIN
DURHAM vs YORKSHIRE VIKINGS
THE PREDICTION
Confidence within the Durham camp is likely to be low with their most recent loss at the hands of Birmingham Bears all but ending their qualification hopes in the North Group. In contrast, Yorkshire Vikings are still very much in the top four picture and when taking into account a potential lack of motivation and certainly a recent lack of quality on Durham’s part, backing Yorkshire Vikings to inflict another defeat upon the home side has to be favoured here.
TIP: YORKSHIRE VIKINGS TO WIN
LANCASHIRE LIGHTNING vs DERBYSHIRE FALCONS
THE PREDICTION
Lancashire Lightning fans will no doubt expect a positive result on home turf, but Derbyshire Falcons will not make it easy for them. Overseas star Zaman Khan is a huge threat with the ball and an experienced core within the Derbyshire batting line-up that includes the likes of Wayne Madsen and Leus du Plooy has the capability of doing some serious damage. But this Lancashire team hits different at home and boast a long unbeaten record at Emirates Old Trafford. The calibre of players at their disposal in all departments should see do enough to overcome the Falcons.
TIP: LANCASHIRE LIGHTNING TO WIN
LEICESTERSHIRE FOXES vs NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS
THE PREDICTION
It’s been a dramatic 48 hours or so at Grace Road with the bombshell that leading T20 run scorer in Leicestershire history Colin Ackermann will be leaving the club at the end of the season, alongside spinner Callum Parkinson and bowler Chris Wright. With the Foxes bottom of the North Group in the T20 Blast, head coach Paul Nixon has also been relieved of his duties. One can only imagine the state of minds across their squad going into this match and with no prospect of knockout qualification, it doesn’t bode well for their performance on the field. Back Northamptonshire Steelbacks to take advantage of the uncertainty around their opponents and secure a crucial victory.
TIP: NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS TO WIN
