Hampshire vs Worcestershire, VITALITY T20 BLAST 2023, Today Match Prediction 07 July 2023

ham vs wor Match Prediction & Analysis

Defending champions Hampshire Hawks will take on the Worcestershire Rapids in the 4th quarterfinal of the T20 Blast, 2023. The Hawks come here with a big win against Gloucestershire and will be confident playing at their home. The Rapids defeated Derbyshire Falcons in the last game, and they will be eying a berth in the semifinals for the first time since 2019 

The Hampshire Hawks have won six out of seven games at this venue, and the players know the conditions here very well. Their captain leads from the front, a big boost for the side. The Rapids' bowlers have bowled poorly in the last few games, which concerns the side. This game has big stakes, and we expect a close contest.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Hampshire Preview

It was just the kind of performance James Vince would have expected from his side ahead of the knockouts. They drowned Gloucestershire by 8 wickets, where Vince led from the front. The defending champions would look to carry this momentum into this game and reach the semifinal. Key players have been in good form and will look to deliver in this game.  

James Vince is the top run-getter this year and will aim to set up a big partnership with Ben McDermott. Joe Weatherley, Tom Prest, and Liam Dawson add strength to the middle order, and the team will need partnerships between them. James Fuller, Benny Howell, and Chris Wood add punch to this line-up in the lower middle order.  

After a good show in the last game, the bowling attack shall be confident, and expect tight spells from Chris Wood and John Turner with the new ball. Nathan Ellis has been their best bowler this year and will look to do well in the middle overs. Dawson and Benny Howell have a lot of experience, and they must bowl good lines.

Hampshire Predicted Playing XI:

James Vince (c), Ben McDermott (wk), Tom Prest, Joe Weatherley, Liam Dawson, James Fuller, Ross Whiteley, Benny Howell, Chris Wood, Nathan Ellis, John Turner

Hampshire Actual Playing XI:

James Vince, Benny Howell, Nathan Ellis, Joe Weatherley, Tom Prest, Liam Dawson, James Fuller, John Turner, Ross Whiteley, Aneurin Donald, Chris Wood

Worcestershire Preview

Brett D'Oliveira's side did well in the last game and defeated the Derbyshire Falcons by 28 runs. It was a good effort from their batsmen leading to the season's knockout stage. However, the skipper will feel worried about the form of his bowlers and needs a good show from them in this game.  

Jack Haynes and Brett D'Oliveira are in good form, and the team will need a strong performance from them in this game. Mitchell Santner has been the best batter this year, and he must anchor the middle order with Adam Hose and Kashif Ali. The side will expect quick runs from Ben Cox and Ed Pollock lower down the order.  

They are up against a strong batting line-up and shall expect Adam Finch and Dillon Pennington to strike with the new ball. Santner must use his experience and bowl good spells in the middle overs with Patrick Brown. Usama Mir and Brett D'Oliveira must do well in the supporting role.

Worcestershire Predicted Playing XI:

Brett D'Oliveira (c), Jack Haynes, Mitchell Santner, Adam Hose, Kashif Ali, Ben Cox (wk), Ed Pollock, Usama Mir, Adam Finch, Dillon Pennington, Patrick Brown

Worcestershire Actual Playing XI:

Ed Pollock, Pat Brown, Ben Cox, Dillon Pennington, Kashif Ali, Adam Hose, Jack Haynes, Adam Finch, Usama Mir, Mitchell Santner, Brett D Oliveira

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The skies over Southampton will be slightly cloudy on July 7, and we expect to see a high-scoring game here. There would be some early movement for the bowlers, but batsmen can play their strokes freely on this surface. The side batting first would have to target a score of over 180 runs to win here.

Venue Details

The Rose Bowl, Southampton, is one of the best batting wickets, and batsmen can play their strokes freely. Fast bowlers do get their assistance when the ball is hard and new. Spinners need to use their variations well here, and the large size of the ground makes it easy for them to bowl.

Toss: To Bowl

We have seen big run chases at this venue, and history shows that conditions favor sides that have chased the score. The wicket has always been a bit challenging early in the game. The side winning the toss shall not hesitate to bowl first in this game.