Vitality Blast 2019, Worcestershire vs Leicestershire, Yorkshire vs Warwickshire, Gloucestershire vs Sussex, Middlesex vs Somerset: Preview, predictions

August 4 will feature four matches of the 2019 Vitality Blast – between Worcestershire and Leicestershire at New Road, Yorkshire and Birmingham (Warwickshire) at Headingley, Gloucestershire and Sussex at Bristol, and Middlesex and Somerset at Richmond.

Worcestershire Rapids vs Leicestershire Foxes at New Road, Worcester

Defending champions Worcestershire, currently second in the North Division points table, will host Leicestershire, who are languishing at the bottom. The hosts have hit back after their defeat against table toppers Lancashire, winning three in a row, and will be looking to improve that streak; the tourists, on the other hand, have lost twice since their only win, against Nottinghamshire.

Last season: Leicestershire 155/9 (20) beat Worcestershire 150/6 (20) by 5 runs at Grace Road

Key players: Wayne Parnell (Worcestershire), Arron Lilley (Leicestershire)

Prediction: Worcestershire to cruise to an easy win.

Yorkshire Vikings vs Birmingham Bears (Warwickshire) at Headingley, Leeds

Still in North Division, Birmingham, now fifth in the league, will try to push through to the top four in their away match at Headingley. They have won just twice, against Leicestershire and Derbyshire. Up against them are Yorkshire, at sixth place with a solitary win, also against Leicestershire.

Last season: Yorkshire 157/7 (20) lost to Birmingham 158/2 (15.5) by 8 wickets at Edgbaston, Yorkshire 226/8 (20) beat Birmingham 176/4 (18) by 31 runs (DLS Method) at Headingley

Key players: Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Yorkshire), Fidel Edwards (Birmingham)

Prediction: Birmingham to win a close encounter

Gloucestershire vs Sussex Sharks at County Ground, Bristol

Sixth-placed Gloucestershire’s rollercoaster season – a win, a tie, a defeat, two no-result matches – has now brought them face to face against Sussex, still unbeaten in the tournament (they have played only three decided matches) and second in the South Division points table, after only Kent Spitfires.

Last season: Sussex 127/8 (20) lost to Gloucestershire 129/6 (18.2) by 4 wickets at Brighton, Gloucestershire 159/9 (20) lost to Sussex 160/6 (19) at Bristol

Key players: Benny Howell (Gloucestershire), Tymal Mills (Sussex)

Prediction: If play happens – which has not been very frequent for these two – Sussex are likelier to win

Middlesex vs Somerset at Richmond

Middlesex have won three and lost two, and are currently placed fourth in South Division. However, seventh Somerset have won two and lost three, which means that a big win will bring them level on points and close on net run rate. However, this is Middlesex’s home match…

Last season: Middlesex 175/5 (20) lost to Somerset 178/6 (18) by 4 wickets at Lord’s, Somerset 229/6 (20) beat Middlesex 174/6 (18) by 38 runs (DLS) at Taunton

Key players: Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Middlesex), Babar Azam (Somerset)

Prediction: Middlesex are slight favourites due to their home advantage