Vitality Blast 2019, Durham vs Worcestershire, Surrey vs Sussex, Derbyshire vs Leicestershire: Preview, predictions

August 15 will feature three matches at the 2019 Vitality Blast – between Durham and Worcestershire at Riverside Ground, Surrey and Sussex at The Oval, and Derbyshire and Leicestershire at Derby.

Durham vs Worcestershire Rapids at Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street

A win here will help hosts Durham (currently on 9 points) go past the Rapids – the defending champions – and Nottinghamshire Outlaws (10 each) and seal the second spot in the North Division, behind only Lancashire Lightning (13), who are all set to top the table. The Rapids (+0.742) are marginally behind the Outlaws (+0.757) on net run rate at this stage, but they have a match in hand.

This season: Durham 181/8 (20) lost to Worcestershire 184/1 (12.1) by 9 wickets at New Road

Players to watch: Liam Trevaskis (Durham), Ed Barnard (Worcestershire)

Prediction: Worcestershire to win and inch towards a quarterfinal berth

Surrey vs Sussex Sharks at The Oval, London

Not only are the Sharks at the top of the South Division points table by a 2-point margin, they also have a match in hand. They are yet to be defeated in this edition, though they have tied once – against Surrey. Surrey, on the other hand, are languishing at eighth place. They are still not out of the run for a top-four spot in the group, but time is running out.

This season: Sussex 144/8 (20) tied with Surrey 144/8 (20) at Hove

Players to watch: Sam Curran (Surrey), Peter Salt (Sussex)

Prediction: Sussex to win and consolidate their lead

Derbyshire vs Leicestershire Foxes at County Ground, Derby

Derbyshire are currently eighth in North Division, but they do have a match in hand. If they win this one they will reach fifth place and will remain definite contenders for a quarterfinal place. As for the Foxes, a win here can ensure them a spot anything between second (theoretically) and fourth (realistically).

Last season: Leicestershire 149/5 (20) lost to Derbyshire 150/4 (18.5) by 6 wickets at Grace Road, Leicestershire 103/4 (14.3) vs Derbyshire (no result) at Derby

Players to watch: Ravi Rampaul (Derbyshire), Colin Ackermann (Leicestershire)

Prediction: