T20 Blast 2022 | WAR vs LEIC | Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, CREX XI

The 33rd match of the English T20 Blast 2022 will see Warwickshire (WAR) locking horns against Leicestershire (LEIC) in the North Group at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Warwickshire has gotten off to a dream start into this year's T20 Blast season, having won all three games and currently sitting at the second place of the North Group. It has been a complete team effort from the Birmingham Bears as they are looking like a team to beat this summer. 

They defeated Durham in their last outing, chasing 159 successfully, having won the previous two batting first. They restricted Durham for 158 runs in 20 overs which once looked easily chasable, but it was a poor start from their batters, losing four wickets for less than 40 runs. 

Then comes the 23-year-old Chris Benjamin, who is having a career-defining season. He blasted a sublime 36-ball 68* and steered his side past the winning line.

On the other hand, Leicestershire could not continue their momentum after registering their first win of the summer against Yorkshire, having been thrashed by Northamptonshire at the Wantage Road. They have lost three out of the first four games in the North Group. 

Scott Steel managed to score a half-century, which was never going to be enough in front of a mammoth total posted by Chris Lynn and co. But, unfortunately, their bowling attack again failed to deliver, followed by another horrific show with the bat. 

However, five of their six wins against Warwickshire came at Edgbaston. They are a better team playing away from home. Let's see if the Ackermann led-side can continue their good record in Birmingham while Warwickshire look to continue their winning streak and make it four in a four. 

Another point is that Warwickshire has added the newly contracted Che Simmons from Barbados in the squad for this game. The 18-year-old has been dubbed as the 'new Jofra Archer' in the club. 

Match Details:

Match: Warwickshire vs Leicestershire, Match 33

Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Date & Time: June 2nd at 07:00 PM IST

Live Streaming: FanCode and ECB website.

Pitch Report: The pitch looks pretty balanced at the home of the Bears. It has been flat lately, so the team winning the toss should consider batting second here. The average first innings score is around 165 here. Anything lower than 180 should not be any problem for the chasing team.

Head-To-Head:

Matches played: 18

Warwickshire Won: 11

Leicestershire Won: 6

Squads:

Warwickshire: Carlos Brathwaite (C),Chris Benjamin, Jacob Bethell, Danny Briggs, Ethan Brookes, Henry Brookes, Alex Davies (WK), Sam Hain, Adam Hose, Jake Lintott, Craig Miles, Che Simmons, Paul Stirling, Rob Yates.

Leicestershire: Hamish Rutherford, Lewis Hill (wk), Arron Lilley, Colin Ackermann (c), Rishi Patel, Louis Kimber, Ben Mike, Rehan Ahmed, Roman Walker, Callum Parkinson, Naveen-ul-Haq, Will Davis, Gavin Griffiths, Scott Steel.

Probable Playing XI:

Warwickshire: Paul Stirling, Jacon Bethell, Alex Davies (wk), Robert Yates, Adam Hose, Chris Benjamin, Carlos Brathwaite (c), Henry Brookes, Danny Briggs, Jake Lintott, Craig Miles  

Leicestershire: Hamish Rutherford, Scott Steel, Lewis Hill (wk), Arron Lilley, Colin Ackermann (c), Rishi Patel, Ben Mike, Rehan Ahmed, Roman Walker, Callum Parkinson, Naveen-ul-Haq.

CREX XI Suggestion:

Wicket-Keeper: Chris Benjamin

Batters: Paul Stirling, Adam Hose, Colin Ackermann

All-Rounders: Carlos Brathwaite, Scott Steel, Ben Mike, Rehan Ahmed

Bowlers: Naveen-ul-Haq, Danny Briggs, Jacob Lintott

Captain: Paul Stirling

Vice-Captain: Jacob Lintott