Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast, form, prediction and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the Vitality Blast...
Fixture: Lancashire Lightning v Worcestershire Rapids
Venue: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
Dates: Thursday, July 1, 2021
Start time: 6.15pm
What's the lowdown?
It's an important fixture between two sides battling it out in midtable, who have struggled to find consistent form so far.
The teams are both chasing quarter-final qualification, with just two points between them: both will know that this is a good opportunity to take points off a close rival in the standings and make ground on the highly sought after top four spots.
Lightning have lost ground on the competition after two losses and a tie in their last three games, which came after two no results. The Lancashire squad on paper is arguably one of the strongest in the entire competition, but it hasn't quite worked out on field as they would have liked yet, last time out falling short of a Nottingham total after the middle order was left with a little too much to do.
The Rapids will be pleased with their position but know they are more than capable of making a charge for the top. They've also had a mixed run of form, but are travelling to Manchester off the back of two victories - both batting second and chasing down their targets with five and three balls to spare respectively. They've shown consistency with the bat and will be hoping to keep that going at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.
Who's in form?
With Liam Livingstone and Jos Buttler still away on international duty with England, Lancashire's chief attacking threat has actually been allrounder Steven Croft, who bats at No.6 for his side.
Croft is coming into this game off respectable returns of 35 and 41, as well as taking three wickets in the last four games. Livingstone's departure has been notable for the Lightning, but Keaton Jennings, who opens for the side, will be looking to find his feet and make up the runs in his absence.
The Rapids' Brett D'Oliveira will be heading into this game filled with confidence after his two most recent knocks of 67 and 69: beating his career high in T20 twice in a row.
He joined forces with Rikki Wessels to ensure Worcestershire had enough to beat Leicestershire last week. The Australian Ben Dwarshuis has caught the eye with the ball, and has taken two tickets in each of his last two appearances.
What's the team news?
Liam Livingstone is on England duty, while Jos Buttler is recovering from the calf injury he sustained during the early stages of the T20 series with Sri Lanka.
Josh Bohannon has a side strain.
Lancashire Lightning squad: Dane Vilas, Finn Allen, George Balderson, Steven Croft, Alex Davies, Tom Hartley, Liam Hurt, Keaton Jennings, Rob Jones, Danny Lamb, Saqib Mahmood, Matt Parkinson, Luke Wells, Luke Wood
Adam Finch and Jos Leach are added to the XI which faces Leicestershire. Jacques Banton, Mitchell Stanley drop out. The Rapids remain without quick Josh Tongue but Jack Haynes is close to returning to full fitness after an ankle injury
Worcestershire Rapids squad: Riki Wessels, Brett D'Oliveira, Jake Libby, Ben Cox, Ross Whiteley, Ed Barnard, Daryl Mitchell, Ben Dwarshuis, Ish Sodhi, Dillon Pennington, Charlie Morris, Adam Finch, Joe Leach
Last five T20 matches (most recent first)
Lancashire Lightning: LLTAL
Worcestershire Rapids: WWLLA
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 14
Lancashire Lightning wins: 10
Notts Outlaws wins: 4
Tied: 0
No result: 0
Abandoned: 6
Latest Lancashire Lightning news: Click here
Latest Worcestershire Rapids news news: Click here
What's the weather forecast?
Keep up to date with the MetOffice's rolling forecast for Manchester: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream: The ECB are offering a streaming service which can be found here.
Radio: BBC Local Radio and the BBC Sport website will carry ball-by-ball radio commentary of the game.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and daily updates from every Vitality T20 Blast match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Going to the game?
Tickets
Lancashire versus Worcestershire will be played in front of a reduced crowd in line with the government's most recent Covid-19 guidelines.
Click here to visit the Lancashire box office - limited tickets remain available at time of writing.
Travel
Address: Lancashire Cricket Club, Emirates Old Trafford, Talbot Road, Manchester, M16 0PX
By car
From the North: Follow the M6, then M61 (signposted Manchester) to the junction with the M60 ring road. Join the M60 at junction 15, following signs for M60 ring road (West & South)/Trafford Park. Continue along the M602 to junction 3 and exit following signs for A5063 Salford Quays/Trafford Park. Continue along A5063, swinging left towards White City and continue along A5063 (White City Way), following brown signs for Old Trafford cricket ground.
From the South: Exit the M6 at junction 19 (Knutsford) onto A556 and keep following signs for M56/Manchester. Join the M56 at juntion 7 (signposted Manchester). At the end of the M56, the road becomes a dual carriageway (A5103 Manchester). Keep straight ahead for half a mile and then enter the left-hand lane to join the M60 ring road (following signs for Stretford). Continue along the M60 ring round (South) to junction 7 and then exit, following signs for A56/Stretford. Join the dual carriageway A56 Chester Road, following signs for Stretford and Manchester, and follow the brown signs to Old Trafford cricket ground.
Parking: The current Gatehouse at the Talbot Road entrance is no longer manned although there will still be a security presence between the hours of 7pm and 7am stationed within the Pavilion reception.
Unless you have bought a permit with a membership, parking will now be paid for from pay on foot machines that have been installed by the main entrance on Talbot Road and within the Trafford Cricket Centre reception, entrance located on Car Park 4.
This system may be suspended for certain matches where parking may be limited, and different matchday charges may apply. Spectators should check the Lancashire website prior to travel.
By train: Manchester Piccadilly, Deansgate Castlefield and Victoria all have access to tram stops, which will take you directly to the ground.
By tram: Metrolink runs every few minutes so you don’t need a timetable, you can just turn up and travel anytime from early morning til late in the evening.
For those visiting the region from further afield there is free parking for Metrolink customers at park and ride sites across the network.
Buy tickets at tram stops or by using the Get Me There app.
Nearest Tram stop: Old Trafford.
By bus: Manchester has a substantial bus network. Plan your journey to Old Trafford by clicking here.
Prediction?
There's still a shortage of firepower within the Lightning batting order with two players away with England. The Rapids should have enough to get the job done.
MORE PREVIEWS FOR THURSDAY'S GAMES
North Group
Notts Outlaws v Leicestershire Foxes
South Group
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