T20 Blast Predictions - Playoff spots on the line as Blast enters crucial last three rounds

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 2 hours ago

Simon Lewis 2 hours ago

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Middlesex to make light work of struggling Sussex.
Worcestershire look strong to beat Gloucestershire for a fourth win in a row.
Durham to pour more misery on ill-fortuned Derbyshire.
Somerset looking for back-to-back wins over in-form Northants.

Alex Lees hits out against Notts (Getty Images).

T20 Blast Predictions - Bowlers to hold sway as playoff fight hots up

T20 Blast Predictions - Bowlers to hold sway as playoff fight hots up
Middlesex vs Sussex
Worcestershire v Gloucestershire
Durham vs Derbyshire
Somerset vs Northants

Middlesex vs Sussex

Sussex are out of the running but Middlesex have the faintest of hopes of hitting the playoffs, but for a start they must win their last three matches. Sussex should be an easy mark after losing their last three matches, while Middlesex have won their last two group matches on the bounce.

Middlesex’s batters have struggled for consistency, with Ben Geddes’ 38, 27 and 44* in his last five knocks being the best contributions from their batters. Leus du Plooy has knocks of 34 and 38 in his last three innings, while Max Holden top-scored with 62 in the win over Hampshire.

Middlesex’s only consistent performer has been right-arm fast medium bowler Naavya Sharma, who has figures of 3/11, 2/33 and 1/33 in his last three matches and looks the player to back.

Worcestershire v Gloucestershire

Locked together on 24 points after both picking up six wins in 10 matches, neither side can catch the log-leaders Northants, but a win will give them a stronger grasp on second spot and an automatic place in the playoffs, with the other hanging onto the hopes of a third-place qualification.

Gloucestershire have lost three of their last four matches, while Worcestershire are on a three-match winning streak and look the stronger side to back. Worcestershire’s batters are also struggling, with Adam Hose (49 and 47 in four knocks) and Gareth Roderick (29 and 71 in three innings) their best batters in the last few matchess.

Usama Mir has picked up 3/34, 2/14 and 2/17 in Worcestershire’s last three matches and is worth backing to take some wickets again. Beyers Swanepoel starred with the ball in the win over Glamorgan with figures of 3/36.

Durham vs Derbyshire

Durham need three strong wins to hope to crack the third-place qualifying spot, while Derbyshire are done and dusted for the season after two ties in their last five matches along with defeats by four runs and 10 runs in a frustrating season.

Durham also suffered two narrow defeats in their last three matches but have picked up two wins in four. Alex Lees is in princely form with the bat, scoring 108, 73, 43 and 80 in his last four knocks in the Blast and enjoying good support from his side’s top order.

Callum Parkinson has taken 2/34 and 2/23 in his last two matches but Matthew Potts has been the real star with the ball, picking up figures of 3/18, 3/32 and 2/41 in his last four matches in the Blast.

Somerset vs Northants

Somerset are one win behind second- and third-placed Gloucestershire and Worcestershire in the race for second place and have won two of their last three matches. They’re up against the runaway group leaders Northants who have won nine of their 10 matches in the Blast this season, although their one defeat was just two matches ago when they lost to Somerset by 105 runs, although Northants are so strong that it would be a brave bet to back a second win for Somerset.

Will Smeed is in cracking form with the bat for Somerset, scoring 42, 48 and 89 in his last five knocks, but Northants’ Chris Lynn is the man to back. Lynn has smashed his way to scores of 37, 41, 75 and 117 in his last four innings.