The third last league game of the season and two of the best teams of the league in Southern Brave and Oval Invincibles would be up against each other to try and secure a birth for themselves in the final three in the points table to be able to make it to the Playoffs of the inaugural edition of The Hundred.
The equation is very simple for Oval Invincibles who would be playing their last game of the season and have nine points in their kitty. For them to secure a berth in the finals, they just need a plain and simple win.
If they fail to get that, chances are they would not be able to make the final as Birmingham Phoenix are already on 10 and points and their loss against Brave would also take Brave to 10 points and if Rockets win their game against Manchester Originals, they would be on 10 pints as well. So if Oval doesn’t want to remain dependent on someone else’s results, it must win.
Similar is the case with the Brave who have won their previous four out of the five games with one of them getting washed out. If James Vince’ men secure a win in this game, they would ensure that Oval are almost out of the race of the Playoffs and they are in. How things unfold, only time will tell.
Match Number- 30
Date and Time: August 16, 2021, 11:00 pm IST, 06:30 pm Local, 05:30pm GMT
Venue: The Rose Bowl Southampton
Live Stream: FanCode
The pitch at Southampton has been a decent one. Not as high scoring as Birmingham, but not dead either. It has something for the bowlers in terms of bounce and a slight bit of turn as well. But that does not mean that batters can’t score runs if they apply themselves well.
According to BCC Weather, there are only 5-6% chances of precipitation, hence a good full game, which would also be the best possible scenario for both the teams as no one would like to get through with a washout. But the teams would be looking to secure their place in the final three with an outright victory.
Quinton de Kock (wk), Paul Stirling, James Vince (c), Alex Davies, Colin de Grandhomme, Ross Whiteley, Chris Jordan, George Garton, Danny Briggs, Tymal Mills, Jake Lintott
Jason Roy, Will Jacks, Sunil Narine, Colin Ingram, Sam Billings (c & wk), Alex Blake, Laurie Evans, Tom Curran, Tabraiz Shamsi, Reece Topley, Saqib Mahmood
Quinton de Kock (wk), Jason Roy, James Vince, Sam Billings, Laurie Evans, Chris Jordan, Sunil Narine, Tom Curran, Danny Briggs, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tymal Mills,
Captain Quinton de Kock
Vice-Captain Tabraiz Shamsi