Vitality Blast 2019, all six matches: Preview, predictions

Vitality Blast 2019, all six matches: Preview, predictions

Vitality Blast

August 23 will feature six Vitality Blast 2019 matches at Chester-le-Street, Leicester, Bristol, Derby, Birmingham, and Canturbury.

Durham vs Yorkshire, Chester-le-Street

With four wins from 11 matches, Durham undoubtedly are the favourites for this fixture. The last team on table Yorkshire have nothing more to lose. They will try to repeat last season results whereas Durham should focus on a convincing win and improve their rankings.

Last season: Yorkshire 200/3 (20) beat Durham 156/4 (20) by 44 runs.

Yorkshire 157/6 (20) beat Durham 147/6 (20) by 10 runs.

Players to watch: Liam Trevaskis (Durham), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Yorkshire)

Prediction: Durham to win.

Leicestershire vs Nottinghamshire, Leicester

Looking at the table this looks like a one sided fixture. But this has all the potential to showcase a neck-to-neck game; at least the last meeting between these two teams suggest so. Leicestershire, the seventh team beat Nottinghamshire in their first clash of this season. No wonder, the former will try to make the best of home condition to win this too.

Last season: Nottinghamshire 199/8 (20) beat Leicestershire 180/9 (20) by 19 runs.

Leicestershire 193/6 (20) beat Nottinghamshire 176/9 (20) by 17 runs.

Key players: Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire), Arron Lilley (Leicestershire)

Prediction: Leicestershire to win.

Gloucestershire vs Somerset, Bristol

A close match is scheduled for the day between the fourth and fifth of south group. Interestingly, Somerset even after winning one more match than Gloucestershire are standing behind them. Thanks to three games with no results and one tied match, Gloucestershire could reach to top four. Somerset, with their chances alive for fourth place, will give hundred percent.

Last season: Somerset 194/4 (16.5) beat Gloucestershire 188/6 (20) by 6 wickets.

Gloucestershire 116/6 (10.1) beat Somerset 114/8 (11) by 4 wickets.

Players to watch: Eddie Byrom (Somerset), David Payne (Gloucestershire)

Prediction: Somerset to win.

Derbyshire vs Northamptonshire, Derby

Derbyshire will begin with advantage, thanks to their form and past records against Northamptonshire. These two already met once in this edition and Derbyshire won that match comfortably by six wickets. In all likelihood, Derbyshire will be able to increase their points after this fixture.

Last season: Derbyshire 211/2 (20) beat Northamptonshire 180 (19.3) by 31 runs.

Northamptonshire 179/3 (18.2) beat Derbyshire 177/6 (18.2) by 7 wickets.

Players to watch: Ravi Rampaul (Derbyshire), Josh Cobb (Northamptonshire)

Prediction: Derbyshire to win.

Birmingham Bears vs Worcestershire, Birmingham

Their first meeting of this edition was abandoned without a ball bowled. Birmingham Bears will try wholeheartedly as it is still possible to enter top four. On the other hand, the defending champions cannot let anything go wrong. The focus will be to win with absolute authority.

Last season: Worcestershire192/7 (20) beat Birmingham Bears 188/9 (20) by 4 runs.

Worcestershire 209/5 (20) beat Birmingham Bears 194/7 (20) by 15 runs.

Players to watch: Jeetan Patel (Birmingham), Ed Barnard (Worcestershire)

Prediction: Worcestershire to win.

Kent vs Surrey, Canterbury

While Kent look like a clear winner here, Surrey will try to take revenge. Their first encounter of this season saw Kent, expectedly winning the game by nine wickets. But interestingly, going by the last few encounters, Surrey look in good shape and can give a close fight to Kent.

Last season: Kent 173/6 (20) beat Surrey 167 (18.5) by 6 runs.

Surrey 250/6 (20) vs Kent (no result).

Players to watch: Mohammad Nabi (Kent), Sam Curran (Surrey)

Prediction: Kent to win.