Warwickshire vs Durham, VITALITY T20 BLAST 2022, Today Match Prediction 08 June 2022

warks vs dur Match Prediction & Analysis

Durham has been struggling to get going this season of the Vitality Blast. After 6 games, they have 2 wins and 4 losses under their belt at a net run rate of +0.052. They are currently 8th on the points table in the North Group and have a tough challenge next as they take on Birmingham Bears at the Riverside Ground. Birmingham Bears are having a good season and are 2nd on the table with 4 wins and 2 losses in 6 games at a run rate of +1.724. They have already beaten Durham once this season and will be looking to repeat that feat.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Warwickshire Preview

Durham started the season on a strong note – with a thumping 54-run win against Leicestershire. Since then, they have sort of derailed and have managed only one more win in their next 5 games. Their latest loss came against Northamptonshire where their target of 155 was chased down by the opposition with 3 balls to spare.

Opener Graham Clark has been the standout performer this season with 239 runs in 6 games at a strike rate of 152.22. However, the other batters haven’t really been able to offer him much support. Only Michael Jones (127 runs at 171.62) and Paul Coughlin (124 runs at 129.16) have put up some decent numbers. The batting looks fragile and can be exploited by a good bowling unit.

Durham’s bowling has been better with almost everyone amongst the wickets. Andrew Tye has been excellent with 8 wickets at an economy of 8. Coughlin too has taken 8wickets but has been a little expensive. The other impactful bowler for the team has been Ben Raine who has 6 wickets at 7.64. They do, however, lack a wicket-taking spinner in the middle overs.

Warwickshire Predicted Playing XI:

Graham Clark, Michael Jones, David Bedingham, Oliver Robinson (wk), Paul Coughlin, Liam Trevaskis (c), Ned Eckersley, Brydon Carse, Ben Raine, Scott Borthwick, Andrew Tye

Warwickshire Actual Playing XI:

Sam Hain, Adam Hose, Christopher Benjamin, Danny Briggs, Paul Stirling, Jacob Bethell, Craig Miles, Jake Lintott, Alex Davies, Carlos Brathwaite, Olly Stone

Durham Preview

Birmingham Bears have had a good season so far. Although they did suffer two losses in a row after winning three back-to-back games, they came back with a thrilling 1-run win in their last game against Nottinghamshire. In that rain-affected game, Birmingham piled on 98-5 in their 8 overs and then won the game off the very last ball.

For Birmingham, Ireland opener Paul Stirling has been the best batter this season with 200 runs at a strike rate of 188.67. He’s been ably supported by Chris Benjamin at No.3 who has 175 runs at 190.21. This makes their top order one of the best in the tournament this year. Adam Hose (142 runs at 154.34) is another one who has done well. 

On the bowling front, left-arm chinaman Jake Lintott has been exceptional for the Bears this season with 13 wickets already at an economy of 7.28. It was his incredible spell of 2-6 off 2 overs in the last game that turned things in Birmingham’s favor. Left-arm spinner Danny Briggs (9 wickets at 7.80) has also done a really good job in the middle overs. Their weak link has been Captain Carlos Brathwaite who has leaked runs and has gone at an economy of 10.56.
 

Durham Predicted Playing XI:

Brathwaite (c), Jake Lintott, Olly Stone, Danny Briggs, Craig Miles

Durham Actual Playing XI:

Brydon Carse, Andrew Tye, Scott Borthwick, Michael Jones, Paul Coughlin, Oliver Robinson, Ned Eckersley, Ben Raine, Liam Trevaskis, David Bedingham, Graham Clark

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at Riverside Ground usually helps both the batters and bowlers. The ball should come on nicely at the start, but the bowlers should also get some seam movement off the pitch. Expect the batters to have a better time in this game.

Venue Details

The average score batting first at Riverside Ground is 161. However, this pitch is still fresh and in the first game of the season on the venue, Durham scored 186-7 against Worcestershire. We can expect a total of around 180-190 in this game. 

Toss: To Bat

The team winning the toss is likely to bat first. This is a fresh wicket and piling on the runs after taking first strike should be a safe bet.