Vitality T20 Blast Previews: Quarter-Finals

Vitality T20 Blast Previews: Quarter-Finals

Thursday sees four quarter-finals to decide who makes it to Finals Day on October 3 at Edgbaston. Here’s how the matches are lining up late on in what has been a unique summer.

Surrey v Kent Spitfires

One win apiece in the group stages as first plays third from the south group at the Kia Oval. Two very well balanced sides with plenty to offer in terms of batting fireworks this is sure to be a high scoring clash to get the quarter-finals underway on Thursday afternoon.

Kent’s Daniel Bell-Drummond is the competitions leading run-scorer with 420 runs at an average of 46.66 and a strike rate of 156.13, certainly the one to watch from the visitors.

For Surrey, it has been an examination of the opposition by spin mainly, fronted by youngster Daniel Moriarty. The left-arm orthodox bowler has 14 victims with an impressive economy of just 6.75.

Sussex Sharks v Lancashire Lightning

A battle of the runners up from the south and the north group at Hove also on Thursday afternoon as Luke Wright’s Sussex host Dane Vilas’ Lancashire. Both teams pack a punch with their long-range hitting batsmen and are packed full of more than capable all-rounders.

It is captain Luke Wright who has caught the eye once again on the south coast as the experienced campaigner sits third in the run-scoring charts with 375 from his 10 knocks with a strike rate of 141.50.

For the Red Rose county, it has been far more of a combined effort as the likes of Alex Davies, Keaton Jennings, Matt Parkinson, and Liam Livingstone have all shone throughout the group stages and could make an impact in the last eight.

Gloucestershire v Northamptonshire Steelbacks

Perhaps the tie of the stage as the top two from the central group go head to head at The Bristol County Ground, for the third time this summer in this format. Gloucestershire won the only meeting that could be completed as the other was abandoned.

Big-hitting Ian Cockbain and experienced slow left-arm bowler Tom Smith both sit in the top five of the batting and bowling rankings respectively and are likely to be big parts of the hosts’ efforts.

For Northants Steelbacks seamer Ben Sanderson has shone brightest with the ball whilst the likes of Paul Stirling and Luke Proctor will be important with the bat in hand.

Nottinghamshire Outlaws v Leicestershire Foxes

The quarter-finals come to a conclusion at Trent Bridge as the table-topping Outlaws take on third-placed Leicestershire. The home side will be big favourites for this tie and perhaps the tournament outright having lost just once in the format all summer. Incidentally, the loss came against the Foxes just over 10 days ago.

For the Outlaws batsmen Joe Clarke, who averaged 45.14 throughout the group stages, and bowler Jake Ball who leads the way with 14 wickets will be just two of the men to watch in a star-studded lineup.

The visitors will look to Aaron Lilley and captain Colin Ackermann to fire them to victory and a place in Saturday’s finals day.

Summary

Perhaps the strongest chance of overall finalists comes from the north group sides, however, all eight teams could make a genuine argument as to their credentials and that’s why these match-ups make for intriguing encounters, with plenty at stake.

It’s T20 Quarter Final time!

Follow EVERY BALL of all four games today. @surreycricket v @KentCricket @SussexCCC v @lancscricket @Gloscricket v @NorthantsCCC @TrentBridge v @leicsccc.

Coverage starts NOW via https://t.co/YaioycSqba#bbccricket #T20Blast pic.twitter.com/3aIDUFMWQA

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) October 1, 2020

We hope you enjoyed the article ‘Vitality T20 Blast Previews: Quarter-Finals.’ Who do you think will progress through to the finals? Let us know!

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