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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 fixtures:
North Group
Notts Outlaws vs Durham - 18:30pm BST
South Group
Middlesex vs Sussex Sharks – 18:15pm BST
NOTTS OUTLAWS VS DURHAM
THE LOWDOWN
NOTTS OUTLAWS
Notts Outlaws come into this one on a high following consecutive victories and they will fancy themselves to extend that run against Durham. They backed up an 11-run triumph away at Birmingham Bears by overcoming Lancashire Lightning by five wickets. To have successfully defended a high total, before chasing a score down in the space of a single weekend must be significantly pleasing for the Outlaws, making it difficult decision for their opponents should they win the toss in terms of whether they ask Notts to bat or bowl first.
DURHAM
Durham bounced back well from a surprising defeat at the hands of Leicestershire Foxes, defeating Northamptonshire Steelbacks by four wickets. Their openers got them off to an excellent start, Graham Clark and skipper Alex Lees scoring 55 and 30 respectively, setting the platform for Durham to reach their victory target of 162 with seven balls remaining. As it stands, the visitors have accrued eight points with four wins from a possible six, putting them in a healthy position in the North Group.
THE PREDICTION
Notts Outlaws have already beaten Durham once in the North Group, winning the reverse fixture at Chester-le-Street by five wickets. That one saw the Outlaws get right on top of the Durham bowling attack, taking them to the cleaners and ensuring their victory target of 169 was always well within reach. On what should prove a very friendly Trent Bridge batting surface, the in-form Notts Outlaws have to be favoured to come out on top.
TIP: NOTTS OUTLAWS TO WIN
MIDDLESEX VS SUSSEX SHARKS
THE LOWDOWN
MIDDLESEX
When you’re on a losing streak you find different ways to throw games away, even when you’ve done all the hard work to putting yourself in a good position to go on and win. That was exactly the case with Middlesex at Radlett on Tuesday, as they failed to chase down 165 despite being well-placed at the halfway stage, losing by five runs. Their record now stands at played seven, lost seven in the South Group, with their respectability diminishing by the game.
SUSSEX SHARKS
Whilst Middlesex are yet to open their account this season, Sussex Sharks haven’t tasted victory since their second game of the tournament. The Sharks have now lost their last four matches and any hopes of making the top four of the South Group are starting to fade away. A number of key players have been out of form, whilst the injury to Ali Orr sustained at Surrey continues to plague the batting unit, with no one capable of getting Sussex off to a flying start with the bat.
THE PREDICTION
Two teams out of form, desperately low on confidence and lacking belief. But someone has to claim the two points in this one. Sussex Sharks boast by far the more experienced unit, particularly with the ball and this should suit them well on a ground such as Lord’s. Middlesex’s predominantly youthful squad clearly lack the nous to get over the line in tight encounters against streetwise opposition and this is likely to prove decisive once again in this one. Back Sussex Sharks to do enough to overcome the hosts.
TIP: SUSSEX SHARKS TO WIN
