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: Middlesex v Sussex Sharks
Venue: Lord's, London
Date: Thursday, July 1, 2021
Start time: 6.15pm
What's the lowdown?
The two sides with contrasting fortunes in the South Group meet at Lord's. It's been a tough run for Middlesex, who have struggled to find their feet this season so far and are now without Eoin Morgan as he remains on international duty with England. The Sharks have been left frustrated by a string of no results, yet are still firmly in control of their own route to the quarter-finals.
Middlesex come into this game off a no result, but before that recorded just their second victory of the season. Despite rain calling off their last outing at Southampton, they chased down Glamorgan's 170 at Radlett with plenty of deliveries to spare, a much needed relief for Steven Finn's side. While they know that any possibility of mounting a comeback to reach the top four is quickly fading, they know now would be the ideal time to start a run of form.
The Sharks' have four points from their last five games after one loss and the rest being rained off. They fell well short of Gloucestershire's total in the run chase last time they played, and were left frustrated by losing the opportunity to take on the top dogs Kent Spitfires on Tuesday to the weather. Against Surrey, they had completed 4.5 overs of their run chase before the match was called off - meaning they were one ball away from a calculated result. Thankfully, there's no signs of rain on Thursday, meaning that both sides should have the opportunity to pursue the points that the away side would particularly like to secure their position in the key qualifiying positions.
Who's in form?
Middlesex are enjoying the form of their No.3 Steven Eskinazi at the moment. The right-hander has added a cool 257 runs in his last three games, including one century and a 91 last time out, in which his side were rewarded with the win.
With Morgan donning the England shirt, he will be keen to register another bat-raising return, with a supporting cast including Nick Gubbins and Daryl Mitchell - the latter produced a handy 58 runs against Surrey on June 27 and has also taken six wickets in his last three games.
One of the main threats looking to restrict the Middlesex top order is Tymal Mills. The paceman has found his feet once again for the Sharks, and has taken three wickets in each of his last two matches - and even had his name mentioned by Morgan as a possible outsider selection for England in the T20 World Cup.
Luke Wright will be hoping to come off with a big score too: he has only been in the side for three innings, yet has returned of 64.00 in that time. Only slightly above him on 64.44 is Phil Salt, who has already recorded three half-centuries so far in the tournament.
What's the team news?
Middlesex have kept the same squad that travelled to Southampton before the wash-out, but have added allrounder Martin Andersson.
Middlesex squad: Steven Finn, Martin Andersson, Joe Cracknell, Blake Cullen, Stephen Eskinazi, Nick Gubbins, Tom Helm, Max Holden, Luke Hollman, Daryl Mitchell, John Simpson, Nathan Sowter, Mujeeb ur Rahman.
Sussex remain eight first-team players light after Tom Clark's positive test for Covid-19 forced several into isolation. Stuart Meaker and Harrison Ward, who has signed a rookie deal until the end of the Blast, included. Chris Jordan travels but will only occupy a support role. George Garton remains with England.
Sussex Sharks squad: Luke Wright (c), Will Beer, Ravi Bopara, Oli Carter, Mitch Claydon, Travis Head, Archie Lenham, Stuart Meaker, Tymal Mills, Phil Salt, Aaron Thomason, Harrison Ward, David Wiese
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Middlesex: AWLLL
Sussex Sharks: AALAA
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 29
Middlesex wins: 10
Essex wins: 19
Tied: 0
No result: 3
Abandoned: 3
Latest Middlesex news: Click here
Latest Sussex Sharks news: Click here
What's the weather forecast?
It should be a dry but cloudy evening at Lord's.
To get the latest forecast from the Met Office, Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream: The ECB are offering a streaming service which can be found here.
Middlesex will also be offering a live stream of the match which can be found here.
Radio: A live stream of the game will be available on Middlesex's website.
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
Tickets for Middlesex's three T20 Blast fixtures at Lord's are available online to the public. The match will be played in front of a reduced capacity crowd in line with the government's latest Covid-19 guidelines.
Click here to visit the Middlesex box office.
Travel
Address: St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 8QN
On the tube: The following stations are within walking distance of the ground.
St. John’s Wood – Jubilee line (5 mins)
Baker Street – Bakerloo, Circle, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City lines (15 mins)
Warwick Avenue – Bakerloo line (15 mins)
Marylebone – Bakerloo line (15 mins)
Edgware Road – Bakerloo, Circle, District and Hammersmith & City lines (15 mins)
Paddington - Bakerloo, Circle, District and Hammersmith & City lines (20 mins)
By bus: The 13 and 113 routes run adjacent to Lord's on Wellington Road and are closest to the North and East gates. The Grace Gate is within comfortable walking distance.
The 139 and 189 routes run adjacent to Lord's on Grove End Road and stop closest to the Grace Gate.
By train: The nearest main line railway station is Marylebone, served by Chiltern Railways, which is approximately ten minutes’ walk from the Ground. Marylebone Station is on the Chiltern line.
Paddington Station is approximately twenty minutes’ walk from the Ground, for services to West and South-West England and South Wales.
Euston, King’s Cross and St Pancras International stations are only a short journey away.
By road: If choosing to go by road, the ground is 6 miles from the M1 and 1.5 miles from Marble Arch. It is also close to the M40 and M4.
M40 – from the end of the M40 take the A40 (Westway). Turn left into Lisson Grove. at the end of Lisson Grove, turn right into St. John’s Wood road. Lord’s is on the left.
M1 – from the end of the M1 take the Hendon Way, past Brent Cross Shopping Centre and over the north Circular Road (A406). Turn right on to Finchley Road (A41) and continue to Wellington Road. Pass St. John’s Wood underground station on the left and the Wellington Hospital on the right. Lord’s is on the right.
There are parking restrictions affecting non-residents on the streets surrounding Lord’s and on St John’s Wood High Street on all major match days, so please ensure you do not park in bays which are for residents’ use only. Click here for local car park information.
By bike: A number of bike racks are available outside the Ground for cyclists to lock their bikes to.
There are several Cycle Hire docking stations within five minutes’ walk of the Ground, on Abbey Road, St John’s Wood Road, Wellington Road, Lodge Road, Lisson Grove and Prince Albert Road.
Prediction: With the Sharks depleted due to a sudden Covid case and the Middlesex top order finding their feet, the home crowd may give them enough to get the result against the third-placed side. Middlesex win.
MORE PREVIEWS FOR THURSDAY'S GAMES
North Group
Lancashire Lightning v Worcestershire Rapids
Notts Outlaws v Leicestershire Foxes
South Group
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