Match Details
The opening match of the Vitality T20 Blast’s Central Group will be played between Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire at the County ground in Bristol.
This match is scheduled to start at 02:00 PM Local Time (6:30 PM IST) (01:00 PM UTC).
Preview
T20 Blast is getting underway from Thursday and the opening match of the Central Group will be played between Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire. This is their first T20 meeting since 2013 and both the teams will be keen on starting their campaign with a win. Gloucestershire had finished second in South Group last season while their opponents had managed to win only four matches out of 14.
Weather Report
This could be a shortened game as there is a 60% chance of rain during the match.
Pitch Report
The pitch is a decent one for both batsmen and bowlers if the stats in the last year’s T20 Blast are considered. Expect the team chasing to dominate the game.
Average 1st innings score: 149 (Last five matches considered)
Record of Chasing Teams: Won: 4, Lost: 1
Injury & Availability News
(Will be added when there’s an update)
Probable Playing XIs
Gloucestershire
James Bracey (wk), Ian Cockbain, Chris Dent, Miles Hammond, Jack Taylor, Ryan Higgins, George Scott, Greame van Buuren, Josh Shaw, David Payne, Matt Taylor.
Bench: George Hankins, Tom Smith, Ben Charlesworth.
Northamptonshire
Josh Cobb (c), Adam Rossington (wk), Paul Stirling, Richard Levi, Alex Wakely, Tom Sole, Saif Zaib, Nathan Buck, Gareth Berg, Ben Sanderson, Blessing Muzarabani.
Bench: Graeme White, Ricardo Vasconcelos, Rob Keogh, Brandon Glover.
Top Picks
Paul Stirling is coming off a good form from Ireland Inter Provincial T20 and is a proven match-winner in the shortest format. Richard Levi is also a T20 specialist and can make an impact straigtaway for his team. Ryan Higgins picked up 11 wickets in his previous first-class match and has to be picked in Fantasy team.
Captain and Vice-Captain Options
Captain Options: Paul Stirling, Richard Levi
Vice-Captain Options: Ryan Higgins, George Scott
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Adam Rossington
Batsmen – Paul Stirling (c), Chris Dent, Ian Cockbain
All-Rounders – Graeme van Buuren, Ryan Higgins (vc), Josh Cobb
Bowlers – Gareth Berg, Josh Shaw, Ben Sanderson
12th Man – James Bracey
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – James Bracey
Batsmen – Richard Levi (c), Paul Stirling, Miles Hammond, Ian Cockbain
All-Rounders – Graeme van Buuren, George Scott (vc), Josh Cobb
Bowlers – Gareth Berg, Josh Shaw, Ben Sanderson
12th Man – Adam Rossington
Expert Advice
George Scott is a very good player and has proved it in 24 T20 games hitting 14 fours and 10 sixes. He can be an X factor player for his team.
Probable Winners
Northamptonshire is expected to win this match.
