Preview:
Hampshire have won their last two games against Gloucestershire and Somerset. To make it to the knockouts, they will have to win every game from here onwards in the tournament. With 9 points to their name, they are placed on the 7th spot in the standings.
Essex are occupying the 6th position in the points table. They lost in their last game against Sussex by 6 wickets. Heading into this encounter, both the teams will be eager to register a win and it would thus be an intriguing contest.
Match Details:
Hampshire vs Essex, South Group Match
Venue: The Rose Bowl, Southampton
Date & Time: July 16th at 6:30 PM IST and 2:00 PM local time
Live Streaming: YouTube/TeamWebsite
Pitch Report:
This surface usually is inclined more towards the batters. The pacers might also chum into the scenario with the bounce the pitch provides. Batting first could be a good choice as teams doing so have seemed to get an edge in the last two games.
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Probable Playing XIs for HAM vs ESS:
Hampshire
D’Arcy Short, Toby Albert, Tom Prest, Colin de Grandhomme, Joe Weatherley, Lewis McManus, James Fuller, Chris Wood, Scott Currie, Mason Crane, Brad Wheal
Essex
Tom Westley, Adam Wheater, Michael Pepper, James Neesham, Paul Walter, Feroze Khushi, Ryan ten Doeschate, Simon Harmer (c), Aron Nijjar, Jack Plom, Samuel Cook
Top Picks for HAM vs ESS 11Wickets Fantasy Cricket
Joe Weatherley hit a half-century in the last match against Somerset. In the tournament so far, he has mustered 256 runs in 8 matches at an average of 32 and a strike rate of 129.94. Thus he could be a good pick for this game.
Simon Harmer is the leading wicket-taker for Essex in this tournament. He has scalped 16 wickets in 11 matches at an economy of 7.41. One can, however, bank on him for this match as well owing to his all-rounding capabilities.
Michael Pepper has top-scored for Essex in this tournament. He has scored 248 runs at an average of 31 and a strike rate of 134.78.
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for HAM vs ESS 11Wickets Fantasy Cricket
Lewis McManus, Michael Pepper, Tom Westley, Joe Weatherley (c), D’Arcy Short, Colin de Grandhomme, Simon Harmer (vc), Paul Walter, Mason Crane, Samuel Cook, Scott Currie
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for HAM vs ESS 11Wickets Fantasy Cricket
Adam Wheater, Michael Pepper (c), Tom Westley, Joe Weatherley, Tom Prest, Colin de Grandhomme (vc), Simon Harmer, James Neesham, Aron Nijjar, Mason Crane, Scott Currie
Captain and Vice-Captain Options:
Captain Options: Joe Weatherley and Michael Pepper
Vice-Captain Options: Simon Harmer and Colin de Grandhomme