Vitality T20 Blast 2019: South Group, Middlesex vs Hampshire: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Match Details:

The South Group game in the Vitality T20 Blast 2019 will be played between Middlesex and Hampshire at the Lord’s in London.

The match starts at 6:15 PM local time (10:45 PM IST) (5:15 PM GMT).

This game will be live on YouTube Channel of the Middlesex County Cricket Club.

Preview:

With only three wins from their first ten matches, Hampshire put themselves in a do-or-die situation ahead of the last four matches. Hampshire has earned eight points thus far and is placed at No.6 out of nine teams in the South Group. They are currently three points behind the side placed at No.5. This meant Hampshire have to win all their remaining four matches as they got two points through washouts.

In this must-win scenario, the James Vince-led team will tour Lord’s to face the inform Middlesex team. The Dawid Malan-led team won six out of the ten matches they played thus far. With 13 points to their name, the Middlesex team are placed at No.3. They will need to win two of the remaining four for sealing a quarter-final spot. Even one victory will be enough for them if the results of other matches go in their favour.

Weather Condition/Report:

Clear weather is expected for the game between Middlesex and Hampshire at the Lord’s. The weather forecast suggested no chances of rain and a full 40-over game is expected for Thursday.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The one-day matches and the Test matches that Lord’s hosted in 2019 have been on the slow tracks. However, it has been a different story altogether in the T20 Blast at this venue. The season began with a comfortable 160+ chase while the sides batting first posted 200+ in the previous two matches. The team winning the toss would look to bat first and post 180+. It could be enough to defend with the pitch gets slower towards the end of the match.

Average first innings score: 193 (T20 Blast matches in 2019)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 1, Lost – 2

Injury and Availability News:

Mohammad Hafeez set to play his first game of the season.

Probable Playing XIs:

Middlesex:

Dawid Malan (C), Paul Stirling, Stephen Eskinazi, Eoin Morgan, Mohammad Hafeez, John Simpson (WK), Tom Helm, Toby Roland-Jones, James Harris, Steven Finn, Nathan Sowter.

Bench: Tom Barber, George Scott, Max Holden, Dan Lincoln.

Hampshire:

Rilee Rossouw, James Vince (C), Sam Northeast, Liam Dawson, Chris Morris, James Fuller, Lewis McManus (WK), Kyle Abbott, Brad Taylor, Ian Holland, Chris Wood.

Bench: Tom Alsop, Ryan Stevenson.

Top Picks:

Toby Roland-Jones has been top-performer of this T20 Blast. He took wickets in eight out of nine matches including a 5-wicket haul and a 4-fer. Toby also has two 30+ scores in these nine matches.

Middlesex’s Stephen Eskinazi has four 40+ scores in 7 innings this season including two fifties. Chris Wood has taken at least one wicket in seven out of eight innings this season for Hampshire.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain – Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan, Liam Dawson, James Vince

Vice-captain – Toby Roland-Jones, Rilee Rossouw, Chris Morris, Mohammad Hafeez

When Dawid Malan scores, he does score really big. This makes him a perfect candidate as captain despite the chances of his being inconsistent. Liam Dawson is fresh of an unbeaten fifty in County game but went wicketless despite bowling for long period.

Suggested Playing XI for Head to Head/Small Leagues:

Keeper – Lewis McManus

Batsmen – Dawid Malan (C), James Vince, Eoin Morgan

All-Rounders – Paul Stirling, Chris Morris (VC), Liam Dawson, Toby Roland-Jones

Bowlers – Kyle Abbott, Steven Finn, Nathan Sowter

Suggested Playing XI for Grand Leagues/Mega Leagues:

Keeper – Lewis McManus

Batsmen – Dawid Malan, Stephen Eskinazi, Rilee Rossouw

All-Rounders – Liam Dawson (C), Chris Morris, Mohammad Hafeez, Toby Roland-Jones (VC)

Bowlers – Nathan Sowter, Tom Helm, Chris Wood

Expert Advice:

The Hampshire batsmen have struggled to peddle on consistency. Both Rilee Rossouw and James Vince haven’t played up to their standard in this season but remain as the safe picks from the Hampshire.

Probable Winners:

Middlesex is expected to register their 7th win of the tournament.

*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.