Match Details
The South Group match of the T20 Blast 2020 will be played between Middlesex Cricket and Sussex Sharks at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
This match is scheduled to start at 6:15 PM Local Time (10:45 PM IST) (05:15 PM UTC).
Preview
After beating Hampshire by six wickets in their last match, Sussex will be keen to continue their winning momentum when they lock horns with Middlesex. The home team, Middlesex is yet to register its first win in this season. Their first match did not produce a result, while the second match ended in a tie.
Middlesex will still not have their regular captain Eoin Morgan in the team, which is why Steven Finn will continue as the skipper. Finn will look to use his bowlers in a better way as in the previous match, they could not defend a total of 209 runs. On the other side, Sharks captain Luke Wright will be keen to lead his side from the front once again.
Weather Report
There is no chance of rain in London today. The skies will be mostly cloudy during the match time, with the temperature expected to be 16 degrees Celsius.
Pitch Report
The pitch at Lord’s has always produced good T20 contests. The previous match was equally dominated by the batsmen and the bowlers. The fast bowlers may get some help from the cloudy weather.
Average 1st innings score: 209 (One game played in the tournament)
Record of Chasing Teams: Won – 0, Lost – 0, Tied – 1
Injury & Availability News
(Will be added when there is an update)
Probable Playing XIs
Middlesex Cricket
Stephen Eskinazi, Max Holden, Martin Andersson, Nick Gubbins, Dan Lincoln, John Simpson (WK), James Harris, Tom Helm, Nathan Sowter, Steven Finn (C), Miguel Cummins.
Bench: Joe Cracknell, Jack Davies, Luke Hollman, Blake Cullen.
Sussex Sharks
Philip Salt (WK), Luke Wright (C), Harry Finch, Delray Rawlins, David Wiese, Ravi Bopara, George Garton, Ollie Robinson, Will Beer, Danny Briggs, Tymal Mills.
Bench: Aaron Thomason, Ben Brown, Mitchell Claydon, Jack Carson.
Top Picks
Stephen Eskinazi played a brilliant innings of 84 runs against Kent Spitfires at Lord’s. He slammed seven fours and two sixes in his 52-ball knock.
Captain Luke Wright top-scored for Sussex Sharks in their 6-wicket win against Hampshire. Wright aggregated 82 runs from 55 balls, hitting eight fours and four sixes.
Steven Finn has an excellent record at Lord’s. He has played five matches on this ground in the last two years and picked up 9 wickets at an economy rate of 8.31.
Danny Briggs scalped three wickets in Sussex’s match against Hampshire. The spin bowler could trouble the home team in this South Group match.
Captain and Vice-Captain Options
Captain Options – Stephen Esiknazi, Luke Wright
Vice-Captain Options – Steven Finn, Danny Briggs
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Philip Salt
Batters – Max Holden, Stephen Esiknazi, Luke Wright (C), Nick Gubbins
All-Rounders – Ravi Bopara, David Wiese, Martin Andersson
Bowlers – Steven Finn (VC), Danny Briggs, Nathan Sowter
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – John Simpson
Batters – Max Holden, Stephen Esiknazi (C), Luke Wright, Delray Rawlins
All-Rounders – Ravi Bopara, David Wiese, Martin Andersson
Bowlers – Steven Finn, Danny Briggs (VC), Tom Helm
Expert Advice
Tom Helm was very expensive in the match against Kent Spitfires. But, in the last two years, Helm has played five matches at Lord’s, scalping 7 wickets at an economy rate of 9.39. His wicket-taking ability could help him score many points. It is advisable to pick him in the team.
Probable Winners
Sussex Sharks is expected to win this match.
