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Match 35 of the Vitality T20 Blast 2025 sees a key South Group clash between Birmingham Bears and Derbyshire Falcons at Edgbaston, Birmingham . With the group standings starting to take shape, this is a must-win encounter for both teams.
The Birmingham Bears , coming off a convincing win over Yorkshire Vikings, will be high on confidence. They have a strong record against Derbyshire and are playing at their home ground — a major advantage.
Meanwhile, Derbyshire Falcons are struggling, having lost three of their four matches so far. After a defeat to Notts Outlaws in their last game, they need a turnaround fast if they are to stay in playoff contention.
Match Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Birmingham Bears vs Derbyshire Falcons |
| Date | [Insert Date] |
| Venue | Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham |
| Time | [Insert Time] IST |
| Competition | Vitality T20 Blast 2025 – South Group |
Team Previews
Birmingham Bears Preview
Birmingham Bears finally broke their losing streak with a solid 6-wicket win over Yorkshire Vikings in their previous match. Captain Alex Davies scored a crucial 65 off 45 balls, giving the team the momentum they needed. He’ll be eager to replicate that form alongside opener Tom Latham , who also looked in good touch.
Their batting lineup includes experienced players like Moeen Ali, Sam Hain, Dan Mousley , and hard-hitting all-rounders Kai Smith and Ed Barnard , making it one of the stronger middle-order units in the tournament.
In bowling, George Garton and Hasan Ali offer pace and control up front, while Danny Briggs and Jake Lintott provide variety and wicket-taking ability in the middle overs. Moeen Ali chips in with useful support, adding balance to the side.
With a settled squad and historical dominance over Derbyshire, the Bears will look to continue their positive run and climb up the points table.
Derbyshire Falcons Preview
Derbyshire Falcons are having a tough campaign so far, having won only one out of their first four games. Their latest loss came against Notts Outlaws by 7 wickets, where the batting failed under pressure and the bowlers couldn’t contain the opposition.
Captain Samit Patel has been the backbone of the innings, but he needs more support from openers Aneurin Donald and Caleb Jewell , who have shown glimpses of form but lack consistency.
Middle-order batters like David Lloyd, Wayne Madsen, and Ross Whiteley must step up and stabilize the innings when required. The lower order has some power-hitters like Martin Andersson , but too often they come in too late.
Their bowling unit, led by Ben Aitchison and AM Ghazanfar , hasn’t clicked yet. Patrick Brown and Martin Andersson offer some depth, but none have stood out consistently.
With their backs against the wall, Derbyshire will need a collective performance across departments to stop the slide and revive their campaign.
Favourite Team to Win Today’s Match
| Favourite Team | Reason (100 words) |
|---|---|
| Birmingham Bears | Home advantage at Edgbaston; strong head-to-head record; better batting line-up with Alex Davies, Tom Latham, and Moeen Ali. Derbyshire struggling with both bat and ball; no consistent performers. Bears have momentum after recent win. Historical pitch data favors chasing, and Bears’ bowling looks more reliable. With better all-round balance and higher morale, Birmingham are slight favorites in this must-win contest. |
Fantasy Team XI (with Explanation)
| Player Name | Role | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Davies (c) | Batter / Captain | Birmingham Bears | In-form opener; aggressive style and leadership role boosts fantasy value. |
| Tom Latham | Batter | Birmingham Bears | Dependable opener; contributes early stability and decent strike rate. |
| Aneurin Donald | Batter | Derbyshire Falcons | Explosive opener; hit 50 off 22 balls in last match. |
| Moeen Ali | All-rounder | Birmingham Bears | Valuable contributor with bat and ball; ideal for fantasy points. |
| Ross Whiteley | Batter / Bowler | Derbyshire Falcons | Finisher; can change the course of the game with bat or ball. |
| George Garton | Bowler | Birmingham Bears | Key pacer; takes early wickets and maintains pressure. |
| Hasan Ali | Bowler | Birmingham Bears | Experienced death bowler; capable of picking late wickets. |
| Danny Briggs | Bowler | Birmingham Bears | Smart spinner; breaks partnerships and keeps it tight. |
| Ben Aitchison | Bowler | Derbyshire Falcons | Early wicket option; economical and effective in powerplay. |
| David Lloyd | Batter | Derbyshire Falcons | Anchor of the innings; rotates strike well. |
| Jake Lintott | Bowler | Birmingham Bears | Impact player in middle overs; took 2 wickets in last game. |
Captain & Vice-Captain Suggestions
- Captain : Alex Davies (WRW) – Aggressive opener; likely to anchor the innings.
- Vice-Captain : Aneurin Donald (DER) – Explosive striker of the ball and high upside.
Players to Avoid in Fantasy Teams
- Brooke Guest (DER) – Struggled to contribute meaningfully with bat or ball recently.
- Caleb Jewell (DER) – Lacks big scores or impactful bowling; inconsistent performance.
Squads
Birmingham Bears Squad
- Alex Davies (c & wk)
- Tom Latham
- Moeen Ali
- Sam Hain
- Dan Mousley
- Kai Smith
- Ed Barnard
- George Garton
- Danny Briggs
- Hasan Ali
- Jake Lintott
Derbyshire Falcons Squad
- Samit Patel (c)
- Aneurin Donald
- Caleb Jewell
- David Lloyd
- Wayne Madsen
- Ross Whiteley
- Martin Andersson
- Brooke Guest (wk)
- Ben Aitchison
- Patrick Brown
- AM Ghazanfar
Probable Playing XI
| Birmingham Bears | Derbyshire Falcons |
|---|---|
| Alex Davies (c & wk) | Samit Patel (c) |
| Tom Latham | Aneurin Donald |
| Moeen Ali | Caleb Jewell |
| Sam Hain | David Lloyd |
| Dan Mousley | Wayne Madsen |
| Kai Smith | Ross Whiteley |
| Ed Barnard | Martin Andersson |
| George Garton | Brooke Guest (wk) |
| Danny Briggs | Ben Aitchison |
| Hasan Ali | Patrick Brown |
| Jake Lintott | AM Ghazanfar |
Pitch Report
- Venue : Edgbaston, Birmingham
- Average First Innings Score : ~144
- Highest Score : 198/2 (by Bears in last meeting)
- Nature of Pitch : Balanced surface; seamers get bounce and carry, spinners find turn later in the game. Big boundaries favor strokeplay.
- Expected Target : 170–180 should be competitive.
- Fielding Advantage : Chasing teams have had success here recently due to true bounce and even pace.
Toss Prediction
- Likely Outcome : Even chance for either side to win the toss.
- Decision : Bowl first. Recent matches at Edgbaston suggest that chasing under lights offers better visibility and easier scoring conditions.
Winner Prediction
Birmingham Bears are our predicted winners of this match. They come into the game with momentum, a strong home record, and a better-balanced squad than Derbyshire.
Their batting unit is more stable, and the bowlers showed improvement in the last match. Derbyshire, on the other hand, have struggled to find consistency and lack standout performers in both departments.
Back Birmingham Bears to secure another win and move up the South Group standings.
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