Vitality Blast 2019, Middlesex vs Kent Spitfires, Essex Eagles vs Hampshire, Glamorgan vs Gloucestershire: Preview, predictions

Three matches will be played on Thursday in the Vitality Blast 2019: Middlesex vs Kent Spitfires, Essex Eagles vs Hampshire, Glamorgan vs Gloucestershire

Middlesex vs Kent Spitfires

It’s a top-of-the-table clash when Middlesex meet Kent on Thursday.

Kent have the perfect record so far in the tournament, accounting for both the north and south groups. They have played four and won four, and sit handsomely at the top of the table. They have won most matches by comfortable margins too – they’ve beaten Surrey by nine wickets, seen off Essex by 22 runs and Somerset by 41 runs. It’s only Hampshire who’ve troubled them so far, but even in that clash, they squeezed through by two wickets with a ball remaining. Can Middlesex finally hurt them?

They’re certainly the most likely side. They’ve seen off all of Glamorgan, Surrey and Essex by handsome margins of eight wickets, 37 runs and seven wickets. Their only blemish was against Gloucestershire, suffering a two-wicket loss with four balls left, but they’ve looked the strongest side apart from Kent, and are likely to pose a big threat come Thursday.

Last season: Middlesex 189/7 (20) lost to Kent 191/7 (19.3) by 3 wickets.

Players to watch: Mohammad Nabi (Kent), Dawid Malan (Middlesex)

Prediction: Middlesex to win.  

Essex Eagles vs Hampshire

Essex will be disappointed with their campaign so far. They’ve just the one win in four outings, against Surrey, and given the washout against Gloucestershire, they’re stuck in the middle of the table. Their victory over Surrey was sandwiched by defeats to Middlesex and Kent, but a victory against Hampshire put them straight back in the hunt near the top of the table.

Hampshire have fared similarly. They’re just below the Eagles on the table. They’ve also had a washout, in their opener against Sussex, and they’ve also had a win, against Somerset. The difference is that their win came in their last match, and that means they head into Thursday’s clash with all the momentum. Essex will have to be wary.

Last season: Hampshire 170/5 (20) tied Essex 170/8 (20).

Hampshire 72/4 (7.5/18) v Essex. Match was washed out.

Players to watch: Cameron Delport (Essex), Liam Dawson (Hampshire)

Prediction: Essex to win.

Glamorgan vs Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire are fairly well placed. They’ve six points from three matches, with two of their four points coming off washouts. One of those washouts happened to be against Glamorgan, their opponents on Thursday, and that was unfortunate for the Gloucs, given they had Glamorgan reduced to 96/8 in the 15.3 overs that were possible on the day. Given we have a full match this time, things may get ugly for Glamorgan.

In fact, Glamorgan are desperate for a win. Their only point so far has come off a washout. They’ve played four matches, and have lost three. All have been heavy losses too – Middlesex beat them by eight wickets, Surrey saw them off by 97 runs, and Somerset too beat them by eight wickets. They need to mend their line-up, and fast.

Last season: Gloucestershire 197/6 (20) beat Glamorgan 167/9 (20) by 30 runs.

Glamorgan 201/6 (20) beat Gloucestershire 199/9 (20) by 2 runs.

Players to watch: Colin Ingram (Glamorgan), Miles Hammond (Gloucestershire)

Prediction: Gloucestershire to win.