Vitality T20 Blast 2019, Semi-final 1, Nottinghamshire vs Worcestershire: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Match Details

The 1st semi-final of the 2019 Vitality T20 Blast will be played between Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground on Saturday.

The match starts at 11:00 AM local time (10:00 AM GMT) (3:30 PM IST).

This series can be live-streamed on the teams’ official website.

Preview

So, here we are! After two months of action-packed T20 matches, exhilarating finishes, outrageous batting or bowling performances, and a few excruciating lows, we are down to semi-final stage of the 2019 Vitality Blast.

The first semi-final will see Nottinghamshire Outlaws square-off against defending champions Birmingham Beers at the latter’s fortress: The Edgbaston Cricket Ground. The Outlaws booked their semi-final spot courtesy a comprehensive 10-wicket win over Middlesex with openers Chris Nash [74] and Alex Hales [83] making light work of the target [161] set by Simpson-led Middlesex.

The defending champions- Worcestershire- on the other hand, will be looking to qualify for the finals for the second time running. Both sides have met twice in the league stage. While the second game was a washout, the Outlaws suffered a 28-run loss in the first, courtesy an all-round display from skipper Moeen Ali (32 off 25 balls, 4-18).

Weather Report

We are at the end of the English summer. The rain is nowhere to be seen with bright sunny spells casting their shadows over the English isles. Much of the same is expected in Birmingham on Saturday with maximum temperature hovering around 21 degrees and a minimum at around 11 degrees.

Pitch Report

As always, the pitch at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground is expected to be a belter. With the weather expected to be bright and sunny, expect pristine batting conditions on the Finals day. The last T20 played at the venue saw both Yorkshire [3-200] and Warwickshire [5-181] rack up totals in excess of 180. The pitch ideally gets slower as the game progresses as reflected from the stats below, showing that batting first is a prudent punt at this venue. Except the same on Saturday.

Average First Innings score: 169 (Last 5 T20Is)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 0, Lost -5

Probable Playing XIs

Nottinghamshire Outlaws

Chris Nash, Alex Hales, Ben Duckett, Jake Libby, Samit Patel, Tom Moores [wk], Dan Christian [c], Imad Wasim, Luke Wood, Mattew Carter, Harry Gurney

Bench – Joe Clarke, Luke Fletcher, Jake Ball

Worcestershire

Jack Leach, Riki Wessels, Moeen Ali [c], Ben Cox [wk], Thomas Charles Fell, Ross Whiteley, Ed Barnard, Daryl Mitchell, Dillion Pennington, Charlie Morris, Patrick Brown

Bench- George Rhodes, Jack Haynes

Team News

(Will be shared when there’s an update)

Top Picks

Nottinghamshire Outlaws: Alex Hales (366 runs in 11 games), despite being dropped from the national squad remains the heartbeat of the Outlaws set-up. He, along with Chris Nash (74 runs in the quarter-final) and skipper Dan Christian (168 runs in 11 games) will be the key with the bat.

With the ball, Harry Gurney (20 wickets in 11 games), Imad Wasim (10 wickets in 7 games) and Matthew Carter (11 wickets in 10 games will be crucial.

Worcestershire: Skipper Moeen Ali scored a breathtaking 121 not out against Sussex, leading his side in 2nd consecutive semi-final. The all-rounder has been in top-notch form thus far, having racked up 312 runs in 5 games besides claiming 8 wickets in the process.

Aside from Ali, Riki Wessels (396 runs in 12 games) and Ed Barnard (126 runs & 11 wickets) will be the spearheads for the defending champions.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captaincy Options: Moeen Ali, Alex Hales, Dan Christian

Vice-Captaincy Options: Ed Barnard, Harry Gurney, Riki Wessels

Suggested Playing XI for Head to Head/Small Leagues

Wicket-keeper– Tom Moores

Batsmen– Chris Nash, Jack Libby, Alex Hales [vc], Riki Wessels

All-Rounders- Dan Christian, Moeen Ali [c], Daryll Mitchell

Bowlers– Harry Gurney, Matt Carter, Ed Barnard

Suggested Playing XI for Grand Leagues

Wicket-keeper- Ben Cox

Batsmen- Alex Hales, Ben Duckett, Ros Whiteley, Chris Nash

All-rounders- Moeen Ali [c], Dan Christian [vc], Samit Patel

Bowlers– Ed Barnard, Patrick Brown, Luke Wood

Expert Advice:

With the pitch expected to be flat, picking top-order batsman could be a crucial punt. Moeen Ali has been in top-notch form thus far. Grand League or small league, make sure you pick him as the captain of your Dream11 side.

Probable Winners:

Both teams stand at 2-2 after their last five completed encounters, with one match ending in abandonment. However, considering the experience that Worcester have of playing high-pressure games, they’ll start as favourites in this all-important semi-final.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are of the author and is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn.