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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 South Group fixtures:
Middlesex vs Kent Spitfires - 18:15 BST
Somerset vs Surrey – 18:30 BST
Essex Eagles vs Glamorgan - 19:00 BST
Sussex Sharks vs Hampshire Hawks – 19:00 BST
MIDDLESEX vs KENT SPITFIRES
THE LOWDOWN
MIDDLESEX
Will the recent week’s break afford Middlesex a change of fortunes in the T20 Blast? They’ll certainly be hoping so after what has been a true nightmare of a tournament so far from their perspective. Eight matches played, eight defeats, some of them hammerings and some of them seeing the Middlesex players wilting under the pressure in the latter stages of certain matches. Confidence is low, players aren’t executing their skills and results aren’t forthcoming. It’s not a good time to be a Middlesex fan.
KENT SPITFIRES
Kent Spitfires should have a spring in their step after victory over Hampshire Hawks in their most recent T20 Blast fixture. After facing Surrey in the County Championship, they now revert back to T20 cricket. The two points gained against the Hawks keeps Kent in the mix for a top four finish in the South Group, although this match represents a must-win from their perspective when taking into account the opposition.
THE PREDICTION
Middlesex came so close last time they played at Lord’s in the T20 Blast, ultimately losing narrowly against Sussex Sharks. A similar level of performance will push Kent Spitfires hard here. But they simply don’t know how to get over the line and the significantly more experienced visiting side should get the better of them here, making it nine defeats from nine in the South Group.
TIP: KENT SPITFIRES TO WIN
SOMERSET vs SURREY
THE LOWDOWN
SOMERSET
Somerset got back to winning ways at the first time of asking after losing their 100% record against Hampshire Hawks. They did so in some style, crushing local rivals Gloucestershire by 80 runs in Bristol. After racking up 231/4 thanks largely to Will Smeed’s 94 from 35 balls, the Cidermen dismissed their opponents for just 151 in reply. At Taunton, there is no doubt that Somerset can match Surrey for batting firepower.
SURREY
The last couple of T20 Blast rounds have seen Surrey absolutely demolish their opponents with the bat. Chris Jordan’s side scored 236/2 in a 65-run win over Glamorgan, before backing that up by going even better at Hove, smashing 258/6 against Sussex Sharks, before bowling them out for just 134, sealing a crushing 124-run triumph. Two points in this one would see them draw level on points with the hosts.
THE PREDICTION
No doubt the highlight fixture of this round of the T20 Blast, a Friday night cracker is expected. Plenty of runs should be on the menu at Taunton when factoring in the incredible form of both sides with the willow. Surrey’s formidable bowling attack faces one of their toughest challenges, whilst Somerset have the benefit of familiarity with the surface and ground dimensions, which is a vital factor when there is little to separate the two teams in terms of personnel. Therefore, consider backing Somerset with home advantage in their favour to just pip Surrey and claim the two points, cementing their place at the top of the South Group.
TIP: SOMERSET TO WIN
ESSEX EAGLES vs GLAMORGAN
THE LOWDOWN
ESSEX EAGLES
Essex Eagles overcame Glamorgan in the last T20 Blast game, winning in Cardiff for the first time since 2016 in this competition. That win was also their third in succession, putting them in a promising position in regards to South Group qualification and another victory here would put them four points ahead of their opponents in the table. Key to their recent success has been the more experienced players within the Eagles’ line-up having found form such as Matt Critchley and Paul Walter, who struck 78 from 34 balls at Sophia Gardens as Essex accumulated 226/9 batting first, beating Glammy by 51 runs.
GLAMORGAN
Glamorgan have shipped over 200 runs three times already in this season’s T20 Blast and their bowling simply must tighten up if they are to achieve their goals in this format. The batting unit has performed well, but injuries are starting to take their toll and with a long trip up to Durham for a County Championship fixture earlier this week, the schedule has not fallen in the Welsh County’s favour.
THE PREDICTION
This serves as a really difficult assignment for Glamorgan when taking into account their recent high level of travelling and numerous injuries. On a small ground like Chelmsford, their bowlers could be in for some more punishment as they were in this fixture last season. Essex Eagles though, are coming off the back of a home County Championship fixture and fatigue is unlikely to be an issue from their point of view. With that in mind, the hosts have to be favoured to come out on top.
TIP: ESSEX EAGLES TO WIN
SUSSEX SHARKS vs HAMPSHIRE HAWKS
THE LOWDOWN
SUSSEX SHARKS
Sussex Sharks’ slim hopes of South Group qualification were surely extinguished in ruthless fashion by Surrey last Friday at Hove. The Sharks could not handle the Surrey batters, who flayed them to all corners and scored 258/6. In reply, Sussex meekly surrendered, bowled out for 134 and losing by 124 runs. With County Championship promotion clearly the primary goal this season, it’s hard to see them gaining many more points in this year’s T20 Blast.
HAMPSHIRE HAWKS
The onus is on Hampshire Hawks to bounce back in this local derby after their recent winning streak in the T20 Blast was brought to an end in somewhat surprising fashion by Kent Spitfires, who came out on top in an enthralling affair at Canterbury. The experienced nature of the Hawks won’t see them focus too much on that slip-up and instead put all their attention into completing a T20 Blast double over South Coast rivals Sussex.
THE PREDICTION
Hampshire Hawks comfortably defeated the Sharks last time these two teams locked horns in Southampton and despite Sussex boasting home advantage this time round, it’s hard not to see the same outcome occurring. The home side have not performed to an adequate level in this season’s competition with the batting fragile and the bowling leaking far more runs than you’d expect with the players at their disposal. Hampshire Hawks are a ruthless outfit and should take full advantage.
TIP: HAMPSHIRE HAWKS TO WIN
