Worcestershire vs Gloucestershire, VITALITY T20 BLAST 2020, Today Match Prediction 31 Aug 2020

wor vs gloucs Match Prediction & Analysis

The next game of the Central Group in the T20 Blast 2020 would see the Worcestershire Rapids play against Gloucestershire at their home ground New Road, Worcester. Both the teams suffered losses in their previous games with the Rapids suffering a 9 wicket loss against the Northamptonshire Steelbacks and Gloucestershire falling 15 short of the target in their game against Glamorgan. 

Worcestershire Rapids have enjoyed a good record against Gloucestershire where they have won seven out of the ten games between the two sides. This is likely to boost the morale in the side. They also have a good batting line-up heading into this game. It will be interesting to see if Gloucestershire is able to turn the tide with a solid performance in this game. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Worcestershire Preview

It was a bad day at the office for Ed Barnard’s side in their last game against the Northamptonshire Steelbacks where they went down by 9 wickets. They failed to impress both with the bat and the ball and need to get their act right in the next game. The side has good talent and Barnard will want his players to deliver the goods in this game.  

They will need a good start from the tried and tested opening pair of Riki Wessels and Hamish Rutherford. They fell cheaply in the last game. Jack Haynes and Jake Libby looked in good form in the last game and they will need to play steady knocks. Down the order Brett D’Oliveira, Ben Cox and Ross Whiteley have good striking abilities and the side will need a good show from them in this game. 

Their bowling attack looked off the mark in the last game with Dillon Pennington and Charlie Morris leaking runs with the new ball. They have to grab early wickets given the kind of batting strength Rapids have up the order. Barnard, Daryl Mitchell and D’Oliveira must keep the scoring rate under check which they failed to do in the last game. 

Worcestershire Predicted Playing XI:

Ed Barnard (c), Riki Wessels, Hamish Rutherford, Jack Haynes, Jake Libby, Brett D’Oliveira, Ben Cox (wk), Ross Whiteley, Daryl Mitchell, Charlie Morris, Dillon Pennington

Worcestershire Actual Playing XI:

Riki Wessels, Patrick Brown, Jake Libby, Hamish Rutherford, Ben Cox, Dillon Pennington, Jack Haynes, Ed Barnard, Daryl Mitchell, Brett D Oliveira, Ross Whiteley

Gloucestershire Preview

It was a poor outing for Jack Taylor’s side in the last game against Glamorgan where their batsmen failed to deliver the goods leading to that 15 run loss in the game. Their batting was shaky at the top which led to their loss in the game. They will need to work on that front and come up with a better show in the next game. 

The top three of Miles Hammond, Chris Dent and Ian Cockbain didn’t make any contributions in the last game and they will need to score runs in the next game. In the middle order the side has good players in James Bracey, Ryan Higgins and Jack Taylor. George Scott and Graeme van Buuren displayed their hitting abilities in the last game which adds to the side’s depth in batting. 

Ryan Higgins and Graeme van Buuren did bowl well in the last game but overall their bowling performance wouldn’t have made the skipper happy. David Payne and Matt Taylor will need to start well with the new ball in the next game. Tom Smith will have to play the role of the fifth bowler well in this game.

Gloucestershire Predicted Playing XI:

Jack Taylor (c), Miles Hammond, Chris Dent, Ian Cockbain, Ryan Higgins, James Bracey (wk), George Scott, Graeme van Buuren, Tom Smith, David Payne, Matt Taylor

Gloucestershire Actual Playing XI:

Chris Dent, David Payne, GLV Buuren, Matthew David Taylor, Jack Taylor, Miles Hammond, George Scott, Ryan Higgins, Tom Smith, Ian Cockbain, James Bracey

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There would be overcast skies over Worchester on August 31 but we should see a game without any disruptions. The pitch played well in the last game where batsmen were able to hit through the line. Bowlers will find some assistance early on in the game. The side scoring more than 150 batting first should win the game.

Venue Details

The small size of the ground at New Road, Worcester allows batsmen to free their arms easily here and hit boundaries. Fast bowlers also enjoy bowling here as there is always seam and swing on offer with the new ball. This hasn’t been the happiest of hunting grounds for the spinners who have to take on a defensive approach due to the shorter boundaries.  

Toss: To Bowl

The track at Worchester does offer assistance to the bowlers at the start of the game and this is something both the skipper would have in their minds at toss. It is likely to play out well as the game progresses. Hence, we believe the two skippers wouldn’t have much hesitation in bowling first on this surface.