T20 Blast 2022 | LEI vs NOR | Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, CREX XI

Leicestershire will be taking on Joshua Cobb’s Northamptonshire in a crucial home game on Friday, July 1, with two North Group points on the line. The T20 Blast match will be played at the Grace Road in Leicester, and the action will commence from 11:00 PM IST onwards.

The hosts will be desperately looking for a win ahead of the knockouts as the upcoming game marks the penultimate group match for Leicestershire this year. Under the leadership of Colin Ackermann, they have won six out of the 12 matches they have played this season. With 12 points, Leicestershire is placed at sixth on the North Group points table.

On the other hand, Northamptonshire will be looking to improve their standings in the nine-team group. They are placed at number 5 on the points table. The match marks their last group game of the season and a win will strengthen their qualification chances for the quarter-finals. Notably, they made it to the knockout stages last year and will be looking to replicate their success this season.

Match Details

Match: Leicestershire vs Northamptonshire

Venue: Grace Road, Leicester

Date & Time: July 1 at 11:00 PM IST

Live Streaming: FanCode and ECB website.

Pitch Report

The conditions at Leicester’s Grace Road have been conducive to pace bowlers this season. In the five matches played at the venue this year, the highest score of 184-8 was marked by the visiting Durham in the first match here this season. However, the teams batting first here in the previous three games have all posted moderate totals of less than 135.

The recent three matches were also won by teams batting second. Therefore, the captain winning the toss will be looking to field first.

Head-To-Head

The two teams have faced each other 33 times across the English T20 competition. Leicestershire holds an edge over their Northern rivals, winning seventeen while losing just fifteen. 

Squads

Leicestershire:

Nick Welch, Harry Swindells (wk), Rishi Patel, Arron Lilley, Colin Ackermann (c), Wiaan Mulder, Lewis Hill, Ben Mike, Rehan Ahmed, Callum Parkinson, Naveen-ul-Haq, Hamish Rutherford, Gavin Griffiths, Will Davis, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Roman Walker, Scott Steel, Louis Kimber.

Northamptonshire:  

Ben Curran, Chris Lynn, Joshua Cobb (c), Saif Zaib, Rob Keogh, James Neesham, Lewis McManus (wk), Tom Taylor, Graeme White, Nathan Buck, Ben Sanderson, Freddie Heldreich, Matthew Kelly, Emilio Gay, Brandon Glover, James Sales, Alex Russell.

Probable Playing XI

Leicestershire:

Nick Welch, Harry Swindells (wk), Rishi Patel, Arron Lilley, Colin Ackermann (c), Wiaan Mulder, Lewis Hill, Ben Mike, Rehan Ahmed, Callum Parkinson, Naveen-ul-Haq.

Northamptonshire:

Ben Curran, Chris Lynn, Joshua Cobb (c), Saif Zaib, Rob Keogh, James Neesham, Lewis McManus (wk), Tom Taylor, Graeme White, Nathan Buck, Ben Sanderson.

CREX XI Suggestion

Wicket-Keeper: Harry Swindells

Batters: Lewis Hill, Chris Lynn, Ben Curran, Saif Zaib

All-Rounders: Joshua Cobb, Wiaan Mulder, James Neesham

Bowlers: Naveen-ul-Haq, Callum Parkinson, Graeme White

Captain: Joshua Cobb

Vice-Captain: Naveen-ul-Haq