NOR vs WOR Match Preview
The Worcestershire team will take confidence in the fact they are heading into Vitality Blast 2023 with an impressive win over Leicestershire in a recently played game at New Road for LV Insurance County Championship. Hose played a significant role in the Worcestershire win over Leicester while chasing a target of 271 runs. The 4th wickets stand with Gareth Roderick that realized 131 runs laid a solid foundation for players such as the skipper Brett D'Oliveira, Adam Finch, and Matthew Waite.
The Worcestershire team had to endure a tough period during the game but after that, the Worcestershire team reversed it. This proved to be the second championship victory for Worcestershire against Leicestershire. The three days of the match were roller-coaster rides for both teams. The Worcestershire bowlers did a commendable job on the second day of the fixture to bring the team back in contention. However, Worcestershire has had to take in a lot of difficult times in the last couple of months and this is not going to be an easy wicket to score runs on.
The Northamptonshire team traveled to the town of Kidderminster for taking on Worcestershire for a doubleheader. This will be useful practice for the sides before taking on each other in their competition opener on Wednesday night at County Ground. This exercise appears to have been a fruitful effort for the Northampts with many players such as David Willey, AJ Tye, Josh Cobb, and Chris Lynn getting some valuable time in the middle. Steelback succeeded in achieving a couple of solid wins in these games.
The games turned out to be good outing for the players such as Saif Zaib, Freddie Heldreich, Alex Russell, James Sales, Emilio Gay, and Ricardo Vasconcelos. One other significant player that has returned to the team is the seamer Ben Sanderson together with the wicketkeeper Lewis McManus. In the first practice game, Northampton batted first and got into his stride immediately to hit 93 runs from just 52 balls with seven sixes and seven fours. Vasconcelos was also in terrific form scoring 47 runs from 30 balls.
Weather Report
We are likely to get a pleasant day for a game of cricket. The temperatures will be close to 20 degrees during the match. You can also expect relative humidity close to 50% during the game. There are not too many chances of showers coming down during the game.
Pitch Report
The average first innings score at this venue is 139 runs in the first inning. So, it is not a high-scoring venue by any stretch of the imagination. An average second-inning total at the venue is 89 runs. Batters will have to get in on this track that will offer help to the bowlers.
Notable stats
Worcestershire lead the recent head-to-head in the last five games.
The Worcestershire leads the recent head-to-head between these two sides 2-1 considering the last five games. Two matches were abandoned due to rain. However, Northampton won the last full game played between these teams.
Northamptonshire is going into this match with a string of losses.
Northamptonshire is going into this game with five losses in a row. They will have to pull up their socks to set the tournament off on the right foot.
Team News
This is the first game in the competition for both of these teams. So, all the players will be available for selection.
NOR vs WOR Probable 11
NOR Playing 11
- David Willey (C)
- Chris Lynn
- Josh Cobb
- Gareth Berg
- Saif Zaib
- Rob Keogh
- Ricaordo Vasconcelos (Wk)
- Tom Taylor
- Graeme White
- Freddie Heldreich
- Ben Sanderson
WOR Playing 11
- Jake Libby
- Brett D'Oliveira (C)
- Colin Munro
- Josh Baker
- Kashif Ali
- Adam Hose
- Gareth Roderick (Wk)
- Michael Bracewell
- Dillon Pennington
- Mitchell Stanley
- Pat Brown
Dream11 Prediction
The Worcestershire Rapids had to endure a miserable season last year in Vitality Blast. They will be looking to make amends this year and get off to a fantastic start in the match. However, a couple of key players Moeen Ali and Ed Barnard have left their ranks for Edgbaston and it is tough to imagine the side putting one across the Northamptonshire in this game. The Northamptonshire Steelbacks on the other hand would be keen to get their campaign off on the right foot with players such as Chris Lynn returning to the top order. The batting strength of Northamptonshire will take them to a win in this game in all probability.
Top Picks
Chris Lynn: Chris Lynn has been remarkably consistent with the bat for Northamptonshire. He can be expected to continue the trait in this game as well.
Josh Cobb: Josh Cobb might be disappointed at losing the captainship for Northampton but he is a useful all-rounder all the same. You can bet on him to do well with both bat and ball.
Ed Barnard: Barnard is a useful cricketer down the order for Worcestershire. He can also turn his arm over for a few overs.
Jake Libby: Libby is one of the significant top-order batters for Worcestershire. You can bet on him to top score in this game.
NOR vs WOR Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: R Vasconcelos
Batters: C Lynn (C), J Cobb, J Libby, A Hose
All-rounders: M Bracewell, D Willey (VC), M Santner
Bowlers: A Tye, B Sanderson, P Brown
