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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
Northamptonshire Steelbacks vs Derbyshire Falcons – 18:30 BST
South Group
Glamorgan vs Somerset – 18:30 BST
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS VS DERBYSHIRE FALCONS
THE LOWDOWN
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS
Less than 24 hours after facing Yorkshire Vikings away at Headingley, Northamptonshire Steelbacks return home to Wantage Road, where they take on Derbyshire Falcons. The last time these two teams met in the T20 Blast was in late May, when the Steelbacks put in an excellent performance, restricting Derbyshire to just 151/6 with the bat, which they chased down in 18 overs with six wickets remaining.
Captain David Willey and his side will know the importance of winning home games and when considering their home fixture against Lancashire Lightning ended in defeat, it was very positive they bounced back immediately on their own ground, thrashing Notts Outlaws by 78 runs. With matches are starting to run out now (just two games remain for Northants following this one), it further underlines the importance of gaining two points here.
DERBYSHIRE FALCONS
Unlike Northamptonshire Steelbacks, Derbyshire Falcons did not play the night before the fixture, their last game coming over the weekend against Yorkshire Vikings. It was a historic encounter at Chesterfield as it saw the Falcons record their biggest ever T20 victory. After piling up 212/4, Derbyshire went on to skittle out the Vikings for just 69 to secure a massive 144-run triumph, extending their excellent T20 record against Yorkshire on the out-ground.
It’s now vital that they can back this up and try to put together a late winning run which could see them gate-crash the top four. A win here would take them to 11 points with three games remaining and momentum firmly in their favour. A positive net-run-rate is also a big plus and could be a key factor come the end of the group stage.
THE PREDICTION
Whilst Northamptonshire Steelbacks have struggled for consistency across this year’s T20 Blast so far, that win over Notts Outlaws in particular was a sign as to how strong they can be at Wantage Road when on their game. Their bowlers should be able to utilise home conditions to keep Derbyshire Falcons under the shackles, which may prove all-important in what is unlikely to be a high-scoring encounter. Consider backing Northants to edge what should be a really tight match.
TIP: NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STEELBACKS TO WIN
GLAMORGAN VS SOMERSET
THE LOWDOWN
GLAMORGAN
Glamorgan got back to winning ways at just the right time this past weekend, overcoming Gloucestershire at Sophia Gardens by 32 runs. After a tough schedule and successive T20 Blast defeats at the hands of Essex Eagles sandwiched either side of a County Championship fixture away at Durham, to gain two points at home was a really important result for them and keeps them in with a genuine chance of qualifying for the knockout stage.
The awfully difficult travel schedule continues to plague the Welsh county, who face Surrey the night before this contest at the Oval. For these Glamorgan players to take to the field in Cardiff less than 24 hours after playing in London is a really huge ask and will surely have an adverse effect on them from a physical perspective, despite boasting home advantage in this one.
SOMERSET
Somerset are coming off the back of a hugely successful trip to Chelmsford on Monday night, which has cemented their place at the top of the table and further improved their already excellent net-run-rate. After bowling Essex Eagles out for 186, a hugely under-par score on a small ground and excellent batting wicket, the Cidermen ruthlessly swept to victory in just 16.3 overs for the loss of just three wickets.
The big-hitting top order firepower of Somerset was display in all its glory with 16 sixes struck over the course of their successful run chase over Essex, the second-highest number in a T20 Blast run chase. Will Smeed and Tom Banton remain arguably the most formidable opening duo in the entire competition, then with Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Tom Abell coming in just behind them, the runs just keep on flowing for them.
THE PREDICTION
Pitches and the outfield at Sophia Gardens in this season’s T20 Blast have been extremely batter friendly over the course of the season so far. When taking this into account, you’d expect it to favour Somerset and their gun top order, who should have lots of fun again vs a Glamorgan bowling attack who have taken their fair share of stick across the tournament. Factor in the potential fatigue of the hosts following such a large amount of travel in a short period of time and backing a Somerset victory here appears a sensible move.
TIP: SOMERSET TO WIN
