Kent vs Essex, VITALITY T20 BLAST 2021, Today Match Prediction 20 June 2021

kent vs ess Match Prediction & Analysis

Kent will be looking to clinch the top spot in the T20I Blast competition when they take on Essex in the South Group game at Canterbury.

In the previous match, Kent continued their excellent form in the tournament and comfortably brushed side Glamorgan at Cardiff. With this result, Kent have moved to third place in the South Group with eight points to their name.

On the other hand, Essex are currently lying at the bottom of the league table with three points to their name. The county side previous game was abandoned due to heavy showers. Captain Simron Harmer will be hoping that the side can put in an improved performance in this contest.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Kent Preview

A win against Essex will help the side go top of the T20 Blast competition. Captain Daniel Bell-Drummond will be hoping that the side can maintain their standard with bat and ball in the next couple of matches.

In the previous encounter, Kent registered a comfortable 40-run win over Glamorgan, courtesy splendid performances from Matt Milnes, Sam Billings and Jordan Cox.

In the batting department, the onus will be on the likes of Jack Leaning, Daniel Bell-Drummond and Jordan Cox to make notable scores in this fixture.

In the previous game, Jordan Cox delivered another crucial innings with the bat and scored 32 runs off 24 balls. Besides Cox, wicket-keeper Sam Billings, Darren Stevens, Grant Stewart produced scores of 30, 14 and 15 runs respectively.

In the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of Fred Klaasen, Matt Milnes and Grant Stewart to make crucial breakthroughs.

For Kent, Matt Milnes was the pick of the bowlers on display against Glamorgan and finished with five wickets to his name. Medium-pacer Grant Stewart bowled well and claimed 2 for 19 in his three overs.

Kent Predicted Playing XI:

Joe Denly, Daniel Bell-Drummond (c), Zak Crawley, Sam Billings (wk), Jack Leaning, Jordan Cox, Darren Stevens, Grant Stewart, Qais Ahmad, Matt Milnes, Fred Klaassen

Kent Actual Playing XI:

Zak Crawley, Darren Stevens, Grant Stewart, Matt Milnes, Joe Denly, Alex Blake, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Jordan Cox, Fred Klaassen, Jack Leaning, Qais Ahmad

Essex Preview

The county side has struggled to deliver results as a unit this season. With a solitary win after five matches played in the competition.

In the batting department, the onus will be on likes of middle-order trio of Michael Pepper, Paul Walker and James Neesham to do the bulk of the scoring.

Surprisingly, James Neesham is leading batting charts for Essex this season. New Zealand all-rounder has accumulated 121 runs in four outing at a strike rate of 161.33.

In the previous game, Michael Pepper played well and scored 38 runs off 25 balls in a losing cause.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Sam Cook, Simon Harmer and Jack Plom to deliver crucial breakthroughs in this contest.

Pacer Sam Cook is currently Essex’s leading wicket-taker in the competition. He has claimed six wickets in four matches at an excellent economy rate of 6.69.

Essex Predicted Playing XI:

Simon Harmer (c), Jack Plom, William Buttleman (wk), Tom Westley, Michael-Kyle Pepper, Paul Walter, James Neesham, Ryan ten Doeschate, , Aron Nijjar, Samuel Cook, James Porter

Essex Actual Playing XI:

Paul Walter, Daniel Lawrence, Aron Nijjar, Samuel Cook, RN ten Doeschate, William Buttleman, Jack Plom, Adam Wheater, Simon Harmer, Michael Pepper, James Neesham

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The new prepared wicket will provide assistance to the quick bowlers. Average first innings score at the venue is around 145 runs.

Venue Details

St. Lawrence Ground in Canterbury will host the South Group game of T20 Blast between Essex and Kent.

Toss: To Bowl

Both the teams will be keen to win  the toss, bowl first and restrict the opposition to less than 130 runs.