Warwickshire vs Lancashire, County Championship Division One, Today Match Prediction 19 July 2023

warks vs lancs Match Prediction & Analysis

Warwickshire are back to Birmingham to face Lancashire as they look to push themselves higher in the points table. At the moment, the home team is placed at number 3 with 116 points and a win here could push them to at least second place.

After two back-to-back wins, Lancashire suffered a defeat against Essex in Blackpool. Lancashire’s bowling form continued even in their loss as Tom Bailey picked 9 wickets in the match. The bowling has been phenomenal from Lancashire in recent matches and that will pose a tough challenge to the hosts.

Warwickshire who are coming off an innings win over Kent in the last match, also have an in-form bowling attack. But more than that, it is the depth and consistency in their batting that will play a key role for Warwickshire.

Glenn Maxwell and Michael Burgess at numbers 7 and 8 add great strength to the lower order. For Lancashire, Tom Bailey and Will Williams will hold the key to a win in this away game.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Warwickshire Preview

Warwickshire will be confident after their recent win over Kent where everyone came to the party. The most exciting part of Warwickshire’s batting in recent games has been their lower order.

Maxwell scored 81 off 67 at number 7 in the last match followed by an unbeaten 37-ball 52-run knock from Henry Brookes at number 9. In their loss against Essex, it was Jake Lintott who scored 78 off 67 balls at number 10 while following on. Robert Yates’ double hundred has come at the right time for Warwickshire.

They were bowled out for 158 runs in their 1st innings against Essex prior to this win over Kent. And to have their key batters bounce back quickly is a positive sign going into this match. Alex Davies and Sam Hain are other key batters in the top while Michael Burgess and Ed Barnard will be crucial in the lower order. 

Warwickshire have a good all-round side that features bowlers who can bat and make crucial contributions. The bowling attack is quite varied with Chris Rushworth and Oliver Hannon-Dalby leading the attack. Hasan Ali picked 6 wickets in Warwickshire’s last match at this venue. He can be very crucial in this pace attack.

Warwickshire Predicted Playing XI:

Robert Yates, Alex Davies, Will Rhodes (c), Sam Hain, Jacob Bethell, Ed Barnard, Glenn Maxwell, Michael Burgess (wk), Hasan Ali, Chris Rushworth, Oliver Hannon-Dalby

Lancashire Preview

Lancashire will be looking to quickly bounce back after their recent loss and continue the good run of form. Essex stopped Lancashire from completing a hat-trick of wins as they handed them a 46-run loss in the last match.

The batting collapse in the 1st innings left Lancashire trailing by 137 runs and in spite of a hundred from Rob Jones in the second innings, the Lancs were fighting an uphill battle. In their previous match also, Lancashire were trailing after the 1st innings.

Playing against Surrey at Kennington Oval, Lancashire trailed by 86 runs at the end of the 1st innings. However, Tom Bailey and Will Williams got through the Surrey lineup in no time as they bowled them out for just 84 runs, leading Lancashire to a 123-run win. 

While the bowling is a positive sign for the Lancs, their batting collapses in the 1st innings are a sign of worry. Luke Wells and Keaton Jennings need to step up and deliver a big inning at the top. Phil Salt has been reliable in the middle order and will be a key player to watch out for.

There have been changes around him with Rob Jones, Dane Vilas, and others playing in the middle order. However, Jones’ recent hundred should cement his position in the middle order. Lancashire should go back to Daryl Mitchell by replacing Colin de Grandhomme with him in the XI. 

Lancashire Predicted Playing XI:

Keaton Jennings (c), Luke Wells, Josh Bohannon, Dane Vilas, Rob Jones, Philip Salt (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Hartley, Jack Blatherwick, Tom Bailey, Will Williams

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It is a good batting wicket at Edgbaston though the recent T20 Blast matches here on Finals Day were dominated by the bowlers. In this championship season too, the bowlers have managed to dominate at this venue. The weather forecast for the first two days of the match is for scattered showers. The overcast conditions will also aid the bowlers making it difficult for batters to negotiate swing.

Venue Details

Edgbaston, Birmingham will host the 4th home game for Warwickshire this season. The home team has won two of their previous 3 matches here so far. The average 1st and 2nd innings score at this venue is 308 and 317 runs. We reckon a 320+ score in the 1st innings would be a very competitive total for this game.

Toss: To Bowl

Teams bowling first have won more matches at this venue in Birmingham. Two of the three matches this season were won by the team bowling first. Even Australia won the first Ashes matches here while chasing a total. With an in-form batting lineup, Warwickshire should be confident to chase down a target here at their home ground.