Vitality t20 Blast 2019 – Notts Outlaws vs Middlesex Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Notts Outlaws vs Middlesex taking place? Thursday 5th September, 18:30 (UK)
Where is Notts Outlaws vs Middlesex taking place? Trent Bridge, Nottingham
What is the expected weather for Notts Outlaws vs Middlesex? 16c with sunshine and cloudy spells
What television channel is Notts Outlaws vs Middlesex on? Notts Outlaws vs Middlesex will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket
Where can I stream Notts Outlaws vs Middlesex? This match is available to stream live on the SkyGo app
Where can I get tickets for Notts Outlaws vs Middlesex? Check https://www.ecb.co.uk/T20-Blast for updates about tickets
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time meetings: N/A
Last meeting: N/A
THE TEAM NEWS
NOTTS OUTLAWS
- Notts Outlaws were largely comfortable throughout the group stage as they managed to produce a result when they needed it to stay in contention for the top four places but they will now want to raise their performance levels for the knockout phase.
- The club have been boosted by the news that star batsman Alex Hales has signed a new two-year white-ball contract at Trent Bridge, and they will hope that he can find some form here after five innings or 11 runs or less in five of his last seven matches but left-arm seamer Luke Wood has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season to join Lancashire.
- Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim missed two matches due to his wedding with Sannia Ashfaq at the end of the group stage but he will be available for this quarter-final match before he leaves for the Caribbean Premier League and that is a big boost to the Outlaws.
MIDDLESEX
- After losing three matches in a row towards the end of the group stage, Middlesex managed to produce a stunning batting display in their final match to hit 227/4 against Somerset and chase down the lofty target with three overs to spare and seal their place in the knockout round.
- Their batting has been their undoubted strength in the tournament so far and even more so with the return of AB de Villiers although Eoin Morgan was the star man last time smashing a sensational 83 not out from just 29 balls.
- Mohammad Hafeez has departed for the Caribbean Premier League but they are able to welcome back mercurial Afghani spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman and that will add a completely different dimension to their bowling attack that looked much better when he was in it earlier in the group stage.
THE PREDICTION
Both Notts Outlaws and Middlesex will fancy their chances of going all the way if they can get through this quarter-final. It is the Outlaws who have the greater pedigree in recent years in this format of the game but Middlesex have invested heavily on their team and their overseas stars this year in an attempt to make a real push for the trophy. AB de Villiers and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are two of the best overseas players to have played in this year’s tournament and they will be vital for Middlesex. While Mujeeb may not be the biggest global name, his inclusion makes a huge difference to the quality of the Middlesex bowling unit and that may just be the deciding factor in Middlesex edging what should be a classic.
