Vitality Blast 2019, Lancashire Lightning vs Nottinghamshire Outlaws: Preview, predictions

Vitality Blast 2019, Lancashire Lightning vs Nottinghamshire Outlaws: Preview, predictions

Vitality Blast 2018

The top team of North Group will be fighting the fifth in the race on August 3. Lancashire Lightning will take on Nottinghamshire Outlaws to clinch another win whereas the latter need to get the momentum back.

Lancashire have played five matches so far and won three with two being abandoned. Their sixth match is lined up for August 2 against Worcestershire. The focus should be to keep up the good show against comparatively easy opponents, Nottinghamshire. The top order looks in form with a stable middle order having names like Glenn Maxwell and Dane Vilas. The bowlers have been to track so far well with the timely contribution from the all-rounder Liam Livingstone.

Nottinghamshire will be facing Birmingham Bears on August 2 before playing against Lancashire on the next day. After one poor outing and one abandon, Nottinghamshire won two consecutive matches against Northamptonshire and Derbyshire. But then again they were defeated by Leicestershire in their third fixture. But all their wins came against the weaker teams and now they will be facing the topper of the table. No wonder this will be a tough game. Too much dependency on the top order is evident. The batting line up needs to click again for the Notts to progress further.

Last season: Nottinghamshire 196/9 (20) beat Lancashire 139/8 (15) by 16 runs (revised target 156 in 15overs)

Key Players:

Liam Livingstone (Lancashire): Liam Livingstone has been a decent player since last two games for Lancashire. Moreover, the last match saw him contributing runs and scalping important wickets. His all-rounder skill can be a key factor for the momentum.

Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire): Dependency on Alex Hales is visible in Nottinghamshire batting lineup. A consistent performer who failed in the last low scoring match against Leicestershire and the team had a collapse.

Prediction: Lancashire to stay on winning-ways.