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The North Group of the Vitality Blast heats up on Friday, July 5th, as Nottinghamshire lock horns with Leicestershire at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. The match begins at 18:30 BST, with both teams aiming to solidify their positions in the tournament.
Trent Bridge Pitch: A Batsman’s Paradise
The Trent Bridge pitch is known for its lively pace and bounce, offering a good batting surface throughout the evening. Expect a high-scoring encounter with a par score exceeding 175 runs. This could favor both teams, who boast strong batting lineups.
Nottinghamshire: Revival After a Bumpy Start
After a disastrous start to the tournament, losing their first five matches, Nottinghamshire have found their footing, winning their last three matches. Captain Joe Clarke (47 runs against Derbyshire Falcons) and wicket-keeper Tom Moores (31 runs) have been instrumental in their recent batting success. However, with Alex Hales away at the Sri Lanka Premier League, they’ll need adjustments to their batting order.
Their bowling attack, spearheaded by Ben Lister and Olly Stone, has also shown improvement, restricting Derbyshire to 165 runs in their last encounter. The positive momentum and home advantage could be a significant advantage for Nottinghamshire.
Nottinghamshire Predicted Playing XI
Benjamin Martindale, Joe Clarke (c), Haseeb Hameed, Jack Haynes, Tom Moores (wk), Matthew Montgomery, Lyndon James, Liam Patterson-White, Calvin Harrison, Olly Stone, Ben Lister
Leicestershire: Aiming for the Top Two
Leicestershire, on the other hand, have been one of the standout teams in the North Group so far. They come into this match on the back of a thrilling tie against Northamptonshire Steelbacks and a win could propel them into the top two of the table. Their batting strength lies in their top order, with Rishi Patel and skipper Peter Handscomb providing a solid foundation.
Middle-order batsman Louis Kimber is also in excellent form across formats. Their bowling attack boasts a variety of options, with Josh Hull and Wiaan Mulder expected to take the new ball. Scott Currie and Lewis Goldsworthy have also been impressive in recent matches.
Leicestershire Predicted Playing XI
Rishi Patel, Sol Budinger, Peter Handscomb (c), Louis Kimber, Wiaan Mulder, Ben Mike, Ben Cox (wk), Ian Holland, Lewis Goldsworthy, Scott Currie, Josh Hull
A Close Contest on the Cards
This match promises to be a closely fought battle between two teams in contrasting forms. Nottinghamshire’s resurgence and home advantage will be challenged by Leicestershire’s consistent performance and desire to climb the table.
Match Prediction:
While Leicestershire should not be underestimated, Nottinghamshire’s recent winning streak and home support give them a slight edge. Expect a tight contest with Nottinghamshire emerging victorious.
Nottinghamshire to win
