Glamorgan vs Sussex, VITALITY T20 BLAST 2021, Today Match Prediction 02 July 2021

glam vs sus Match Prediction & Analysis

The last time Glamorgan and Sussex faced off in the Vitality Blast 2021 – on the 22nd of June at Hove – the match had been abandoned without a toss due to rain. The two teams have been struggling to stay alive in the competition ever since and would be hoping to clinch victory when they clash again on the 2nd of July. The Sussex Sharks are in a better position with 3 wins and 2 losses at a NRR of +0.126 in 10 games so far and are in 5th place in the South Group. Glamorgan are in the 7th place with 3 wins and 6 losses at a poor NRR of -1.630.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Glamorgan Preview

Glamorgan just haven’t found their rhythm this season and are yet to get a settled combination. Their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals this year have been further hit with the news of that Nick Selman has tested positive for Covid-19 and that Marnus Labuschagne is a potential close contact. Selman, the team’s solid top-order batsman, was their second-highest run-scorer this year with 130 runs in six innings and is now spending 10 days in self-isolation. But the bigger blow is the loss of Labuschagne who has been forced to pull out of the last 3 games as a precautionary measure. Labuschagne is Glamorgan's highest run-scorer in the Blast this year with 294 runs in 6 innings. He’s also been handy with his leg-breaks, taking 7 wickets at an economy of 7.43. When exactly will he return to the team remains uncertain. 

Now, a lot of the responsibility will have to be taken by David Lloyd, Colin Ingram, and captain Chris Cooke in the batting department in the absence of Selman and Labuschagne. On the bowling front, Glamorgan’s Daniel Douthwaite has been the most impressive with 11 wickets at an economy of 8.32. Seam bowler Timm van der Gugten, their leading wicket-taker last year, has also delivered again. But with Labuschagne currently uncertain, leg-spinner Sam Pearce will have to do the job and his inexperience might hurt the team.

Glamorgan Predicted Playing XI:

Kiran Carlson, David Lloyd, Colin Ingram, Chris Cooke (c & wk), Billy Root, Daniel Douthwaite, James Weighell, Sam Pearce, Andrew Salter, Timm van der Gugten, Callum Taylor

Glamorgan Actual Playing XI:

Callum Taylor, Colin Ingram, Roman Walker, Chris Cooke, Billy Root, David Lloyd, Andrew Salter, Daniel Douthwaite, James Weighell, Kiran Carlson, Sam Pearce

Sussex Preview

The Sussex Sharks have been quite unlucky this season. 5 of the 10 matches they have played so far have been abandoned due to rain. This has messed up their chances to climb up the ladder and has also hampered their momentum. The Sharks are coming off a heavy 63-run loss against Middlesex where they were restricted to 103-9 while chasing a target of 167.

No batsman has been able to cross 200 runs so far for Sussex this season. Their highest run-getter is opener Philip Salt with 199 runs in 5 innings at a strike rate of 149. He’s followed by Luke Wright who’s managed 136 runs in 4 innings at almost 162. Ravi Bopara, who looked good initially, has lost his touch a bit and the likes of Travis Head and David Wiese just haven’t found their form this season. Unless these batsmen support the top-order, the going will be tough for Sussex.

Tymal Mills has been the best bowler for the team this year with 11 wickets at an economy of 7.42. He’s got good support from George Garton (8 wickets at 6.62). However, Garton has been selected for England’s ODI series against Sri Lanka and the onus will be on the likes of Mitchell Claydon and Archie Lenham to provide support to Mills.

Sussex Predicted Playing XI:

Philip Salt (wk), Luke Wright (c), Travis Head, Ravi Bopara, David Wiese, Harrison Ward, Aaron Thomason, Will Beer, Tymal Mills, Archie Lenham, Mitchell Claydon

Sussex Actual Playing XI:

Luke Wright, RS Bopara, Tymal Mills, Harrison Ward, Will Beer, Mitchell Claydon, TM Head, Phil Salt, D Wiese, Aaron Thomason, Archie Lenham

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, isn’t exactly a batter’s paradise. Seamers get good purchase here with the weather expected to be cloudy they are likely to get good help when the ball is shiny. Batsmen won’t find the goings easy if it’s cloudy early on. But the pitch does remain true throughout.

A couple of showers are expected in the afternoon today at Cardiff but we should still get the whole game.
 

Venue Details

The average first innings score at Sophia Gardens in the T20 Blast is 157 and the average first innings winning score here is 170. Only one total above 200 has been achieved here in the Blast – 216-5 by Glamorgan against Hampshire in 2019. The highest total on the venue this year has been 179-6 by Gloucestershire against Glamorgan.

Toss: To Bowl

Some showers are expected in today’s game. So it would be safer for the team winning the toss to chase.