Hampshire vs Sussex, VITALITY T20 BLAST 2021, Today Match Prediction 16 July 2021

ham vs sus Match Prediction & Analysis

The points table has already taken shape as we enter the last round of league games in the Vitality T20 Blast 2021.  Hampshire Hawks who defeated Somerset in the last game are out of contention for the next round due to poor performances for most parts of this tournament. Sussex Sharks on the other hand have already booked a spot in the quarterfinals and come here after a convincing win against the Essex Eagles.   

Hampshire Hawks have had a poor record against Sussex Sharks in the past. In the last seven games between the two sides Sussex have won six of them including the one earlier this season. Hampshire have only pride to play for at the moment and it would be interesting to see if they are able to match up to the challenge at their home ground.   

TEAMS PREVIEW

Hampshire Preview

James Vince would make a comeback into the side as skipper after his stint with the national side. They would have two games in a single day and shall come here after the one against Essex Eagles. Though the side had registered a 75-run win against Somerset in the last game they are out of contention for the next round. Vince would look to win this game and salvage some pride. 

The side would expect a good start from James Vince and D’Arcy Short as both these players have vast experience in this format of the game. In the middle order runs would be expected from Toby Albert, Joe Weatherley and Colin de Grandhomme, the latter two having done well in the last game. Lewis McManus and Chris Wood add depth to the bowling and the side would expect a good show from them. 

On the bowling front they come here with lot of confidence. Chris Wood and Bradley Wheal did well in the last game and the same would be expected from them with the new ball. Scott Currie had grabbed 4 wickets in the last game and shall look to start from where he had left. The side would also expect tight spells from Short, Mason Crane and de Grandhomme.

Hampshire Predicted Playing XI:

James Vince (c), Chris Wood, D’Arcy Short, Toby Albert, Joe Weatherley, Colin de Grandhomme, James Fuller, Lewis McManus (wk), Scott Currie, Mason Crane, Bradley Wheal

Hampshire Actual Playing XI:

James Vince, Scott Currie, Bradley Wheal, Joe Weatherley, Tom Prest, D'Arcy Short, Colin de Grandhomme, Mason Crane, Liam Dawson, James Fuller, Lewis McManus

Sussex Preview

Luke Wright’s side is through to the quarterfinals of the tournament. They registered a convincing win against the Essex Eagles in the last game winning it by 6 wickets. The return of Philip Salt who was with the national side is a huge boost for them. They had defeated Hampshire by 9 wickets earlier in the season and shall look to repeat the same show. 

Philip Salt and Luke Wright have done well opening the batting for the side and they would aim to provide the side with a perfect start here. In the middle order the side has good experience with David Wiese, Ravi Bopara and Travis Head in the side. Delray Rawlins played a blinder in the last game and adds strength to the batting with Chris Jordan in the lower middle order. 

Ollie Robinson and Chris Jordan bowled well in the last game and the same would be expected from them with the new ball. David Weise and Will Beer also did well in the middle overs, and they would look to stick to their line and length. Archie Lenhman, Bopara and Rawlins add to the bowling options for the side.

Sussex Predicted Playing XI:

Luke Wright (c), Philip Salt (wk), Travis Head, Ravi Bopara, David Wiese, Delray Rawlins, Chris Jordan, Aaron Thomason, Will Beer, Ollie Robinson, Archie Lenham

Sussex Actual Playing XI:

Luke Wright, RS Bopara, Harrison Ward, Ollie Robinson, Delray Rawlins, Will Beer, Rashid Khan, Mitchell Claydon, Phil Salt, D Wiese, Archie Lenham

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The skies over Southampton would be clear on July 16 and we expect to see a high scoring encounter. The pitch has played well early on in the game and allowed batsmen to play their strokes freely. The side that bats first here would need a score in upward of 180 runs to win here.

Venue Details

The Rose Bowl, Southampton is one of the best batting wickets and allows batsmen to free their arms. Though the ground is large in size there are plenty of scoring opportunities here for the batsmen. Fast bowlers do get their assistance when the ball is hard and new. Spinners who have variations have also enjoyed good success here.

Toss: To Bat

Three games have been played at this venue in the season and all of them have been won by sides that have batted first. The track has been crumbling and this is making chasing scores here difficult. The side that wins the toss in this game would have no hesitation in opting to bat first.