Vitality Blast 2019 Quarterfinal 3, Gloucestershire vs Derbyshire: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

The fourth quarterfinal of the Vitality T20 Blast 2019 will be staged between Gloucestershire and Derbyshire Falcons on September 7 at the County Ground in Bristol.

Gloucestershire did not have a good start initially as they could win only one of their first four completed fixtures. But then they bounced back and ended up finishing second on the South Group points table with 18 points. They won seven, lost three and tied one out of their eleven completed matches.  On the other hand, Derbyshire Falcons with the same number of wins, five defeats, and a couple of rained out games managed to finish at third on the North Group table.

Gloucestershire dropped Chris Liddle for Josh Shaw in their last match although it did not help much. But they might want to give him another chance in this fixture. Michael Klinger and Miles Hammond have been good contributors for the team. Klinger has scored 356 runs in 12 matches at an average of over 35 and has helped the team reach this level. Hammond has got 291 runs from the same number of matches.  David Payne has taken 16 wickets so far at an average of 20 and is capable of handling the news ball with Andrew Tye. Since there is no injury update Gloucestershire are expected to go with the same team.

The same theory applies to Derbyshire as well. They also would not like to disturb their winning combination for this upcoming knockout match. With 491 from 12 matches at an average of over 45, Billy Godleman has been the highest run gainer with Wayne Madsen standing next to him with 400 runs from 12 matches at an average of 50, including four half-centuries. Ravi Rampaul is the second highest wicket-taker of this season’s vitality with 21 scalps from 12 matches. Matthew Critchley has been a good supporter throughout. Luis Reece is expected to regain his opening spot and Logan van Beek will most likely share the responsibility of new ball with Ravi.

Form wise both teams are doing remarkably well but Gloucestershire have a slight advantage. The audience can easily expect a close encounter on Saturday.

Head to head

This will be the first meeting of these two teams.

David Payne (Gloucestershire): The left-arm fast bowler has been the most successful of all the bowlers for Gloucestershire so far with an impressive economy rate of 7.29. He will be expected to play a key role by maintaining his good form and picking up wickets in the beginning.

Billy Godleman (Derbyshire): The captain has led the team from the front so far and one of the tournament’s leading run-getters. Throughout the group stage, he has been a dependable bat and Derbyshire will need him to cross further hurdles.

Likely XIs

Gloucestershire– Michael Klinger (c), Miles Hammond, James Bracey (wk), Ian Cockbain, Jack Taylor, Ryan Higgins, Graeme van Buuren, Tom Smith, Andrew Tye, David Payne, Josh Shaw

Derbyshire– Luis Reece, Billy Godleman (c), Wayne Madsen, Leus du Plooy, Alex Hughes, Matthew Critchley, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Anuj Dal, Daryn Smit (wk), Logan van Beek, Ravi Rampaul

Prediction

Gloucestershire to win.