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The 2024 England One-Day Cup gets underway at New Road in Worcester, as Worcestershire lock horns with Middlesex in a Group A clash. Both teams will be eager to kick-start their campaign with a win.
Worcestershire Preview
Worcestershire enjoyed a stellar run in the 2023 One-Day Cup, reaching the playoffs. Captain Jake Libby, who amassed nearly 400 runs last season, will be the batting mainstay. He’ll be well-supported by the likes of Kashif Ali, Rob Jones, and Ben Cox. Left-arm seamer Logan van Beek, who impressed with his economical bowling last year, leads the bowling attack.
Worcestershire Predicted Playing XI:
- Brett D’Oliveira
- Gareth Roderick
- Rob Jones
- Jake Libby (c)
- Kashif Ali
- Ben Cox (wk)
- Logan van Beek
- Joe Leach
- Adam Finch
- Matthew Waite
- Patrick Brown
Middlesex Preview
Middlesex struggled for consistency in the 2023 edition. Skipper Mark Stoneman will be hoping for a better showing from his team. Opener Joe Cracknell, the leading run-scorer for Middlesex last season, along with all-rounder Ryan Higgins, will be crucial with the bat. Young pacer Ethan Bamber, who topped the bowling charts for Middlesex in 2023, will spearhead the bowling attack.
Middlesex Predicted Playing XI:
- Mark Stoneman (c)
- Joe Cracknell
- Sam Robson
- Ryan Higgins
- John Simpson (wk)
- Jack Davies
- Martin Andersson
- Luke Hollman
- Josh de Caires
- Ethan Bamber
- Blake Cullen
Weather and Pitch Conditions:
- Partly cloudy skies are expected, with the pitch offering some assistance to the fast bowlers early on.
Toss Prediction:
Both teams might be tempted to bowl first, aiming to restrict the opposition under a score of 240. Historically, teams chasing have fared better at New Road.
Match Prediction:
Worcestershire, buoyed by their home advantage and last year’s strong showing, enter this contest as slight favorites. Their batting lineup appears stronger, and their bowling attack boasts experience. However, Middlesex cannot be underestimated, especially with match-winners like Cracknell and Bamber in their ranks.
Winner: Worcestershire Will Win
We expect a close encounter, with Worcestershire edging out Middlesex in a low-scoring thriller.
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