Vitality Blast 2019, all eight matches: Preview, predictions

July 26 will feature as many as eight matches of the 2019 Vitality Blast – that too roughly at the same time – at Old Trafford, Grace Road, Northampton, Cardiff, Taunton, Derby, Canterbury, and Hove. Gloucestershire and Yorkshire will be the only sides missing out on this octuple-header.

Lancashire vs Worcestershire, Old Trafford, Manchester

With one win and one no-result from two matches, both sides are still undefeated in Vitality Blast 2019. Lancashire beat Durham by 72 runs, which means they are ahead of Worcestershire, who beat Nottinghamshire by 28 runs. It is difficult to pick a favourite here.

Last season: Lancashire 188/6 (20) lost to Worcestershire 190/5 (19.5) by 5 wickets at Old Trafford; abandoned at New Road

Players to watch: Richard Gleeson (Lancashire), Ed Barnard (Worcestershire)

Prediction: Lancashire to convert their home advantage to a win.

Leicestershire vs Durham, Grace Road, Leicester

This is Leicestershire’s chance to turn their season around, following their defeats against Warwickshire and Yorkshire (they conceded 255/2 in the latter). Durham are one place above them, at seventh, following their 7-run win against Northamptonshire and 72-run defeat against Lancashire.

Last season: Durham 153/7 (20) beat Leicestershire 120 (18.3) by 33 runs at Grace Road, Durham 156/6 (20) beat Leicestershire 142/6 (20) by 14 runs at Chester-le-Street.

Players to watch: Lewis Hill (Leicestershire), D’Arcy Short (Durham)

Prediction: Durham to keep their streak going.

Northamptonshire vs Birmingham (Warwickshire), County Ground, Northampton

Birmingham had to share points with Worcestershire before they thrashed Leicestershire by 7 wickets and Derbyshire by 49 runs to reach the top of the table. On the other hand, defeats against Durham (by 7 runs) and Nottinghamshire (by 7 wickets) have pushed Northamptonshire to the bottom.

Last season: Northamptonshire 231/5 (20) tied with Birmingham 231/5 (20) at Edgbaston, Birmingham 187/7 (20) beat Northamptonshire 170/7 (20) by 17 runs at Northampton.

Players to watch: Josh Cobb (Northamptonshire), Jeetan Patel (Warwickshire)

Prediction: Birmingham, the superior side, to win.

Glamorgan vs Middlesex, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Glamorgan started their season with an 8-wicket defeat against Somerset. Their next match was washed out after Gloucestershire had reduced them to 96/8. Middlesex, on the other hand, beat Essex by 7 wickets and, in the London Derby, Surrey by 37 runs. They are now at the top of the South Division points table.

Last season: Middlesex 131 (20) lost to Glamorgan 135/3 (12.5) by 7 wickets at Richmond.

Key players: AB de Villiers (Middlesex), Colin Ingram (Glamorgan)

Prediction: Middlesex to beat Glamorgan comfortably.

Somerset vs Hampshire, County Ground, Taunton

After defeating Durham by 8 wickets, Somerset lost to Kent by 41 runs. On the other hand, Hampshire’s first match, against Sussex, was washed out, but they ended up losing to Kent by 2 wickets and to Sussex by 14 runs. Winless after 3 matches, they desperately need to pull one off here.

Last season: Somerset 197/7 (20) beat Hampshire 181/9 (20) by 16 runs at Taunton, Hampshire 129/8 (20) lost to Somerset 130/4 (18.5) by 6 wickets at Rose Bowl.

Key players: Roelof van der Merwe (Somerset), Liam Dawson (Hampshire)

Prediction: Somerset to keep their streak going.

Derbyshire vs Nottinghamshire, County Ground, Derby

Both Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire have won one match each, against Yorkshire by 5 wickets and Northamptonshire by 7 wickets respectively. They have also lost once each, against Worcestershire by 28 runs and Birmingham by 49 runs respectively. However, Nottinghamshire’s match against Yorkshire was washed out.

Last season: Nottinghamshire 175/8 (20) beat Derbyshire 139/9 (19) by 39 runs (DLS Method) at Derby, Nottinghamshire 166/5 (20) beat Derbyshire 157/8 (20) by 9 runs at Trent Bridge.

Key players: Ravi Rampaul (Derbyshire), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire)

Prediction: Nottinghamshire to win.

Kent vs Essex, St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury

Wins over Somerset (by 41 runs in the tournament opener) and Hampshire (by 2 wickets) on consecutive days have put Kent at second spot, behind only Middlesex, that too on net run rate. Essex, on the other hand, lost to Middlesex by 7 wickets before smashing the Surrey attack to pile up 226/4 and winning by 52 runs.

Last season: Kent 191/4 (20) beat Essex 163 (20) by 28 runs at Canterbury, Essex 201/6 (20) lost to Kent 203/5 (19.5) by 5 wickets at Chelmsford.

Key players: Mohammad Nabi (Kent), Cameron Delport (Essex)

Prediction: Kent to win and keep their streak going.

Sussex vs Surrey, County Ground, Hove

Sussex’s first match, against Hampshire, was washed out, but they beat Hampshire by 14 runs after that. Surrey, on the other hand, have lost to Essex by 52 runs and to Middlesex by 37 runs. They will be keen to end their winless streak against the hosts.

Last season: Surrey 192/3 (20) beat Sussex 140 (17.4) by 52 runs at Brighton, Sussex 159/2 (13) vs Surrey (no result)

Key players: Philip Salt (Sussex), Rory Burns (Surrey)

Prediction: Surrey to win.