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: Gloucestershire v Surrey
Venue: College Ground, Cheltenham
Date: Friday, July 16, 2021
Start time: 2:30pm
What’s the lowdown?
After losing two matches on the spin, Gloucestershire bounced back to winning ways against Middlesex, beating the London club by 10 runs in Cheltenham last Friday. Gloucestershire are currently third in the South Group table, with six wins and four defeats to their name, with two matches remaining.
Fifth-placed Surrey are breathing down their neck with the top five teams in the South Group separated by just four points. However, despite being just one point outside the top four, Surrey only have one match left compared to their rivals and have won once in their past five white-ball outings.
Who’s in form?
Benny Howell, so often Gloucestershire's hero with the bat this season, starred with the ball against Middlesex, taking 3 for 23 from his four overs to derail their chase. The allrounder has 13 wickets and an economy of 8.2 with the ball and 206 runs at a strike rate of 146.09 with the bat. Ryan Higgins also impressed against Middlesex, smashing 43 runs from just 25 balls in a handy display of Gloucestershire's batting depth.
Glenn Phillips remains Gloucestershire's runaway batting leader, with 423 runs in 10 innings, while Josh Shaw (12 wickets), Tom Smith (10) and David Payne (10) are the others bowlers in double-figures.
For Surrey, Jamie Overton was one of the few players to emerge from the Kent game with positive headlines. Though expensive with the ball, Overton once again showed his worth with the bat, scoring 23 runs from just 12 balls. Moriarty, meanwhile, claimed figures of 1 for 26 from his four overs - a respectable haul on a day when only himself and Gus Atkinson conceded fewer than eight runs per over.
Will Jacks is Surrey's leading run-scorer with 369 runs; Atkinson leads the way with the ball, with 11 wickets to his name.
What’s the team news?
Chris Dent remains out with a finger injury. Benny Howell could open the batting for Gloucestershire once again.
David Payne will make his return having missed last week’s T20 game due to a call-up to the England ODI squad.
Gloucestershire squad: Miles Hammond, Graeme van Buurren, James Bracey, Glenn Phillips, Jack Taylor, Ryan Higgins, Benny Howell, David Payne, Tom Smith, Ian Cockbain, Dan Worrall, George Scott, Josh Shaw
Will Jacks returns to the squad for Surrey after time with England. Reece Topley is back after recovering from a side strain.
Tom Curran and Jason Roy are with England, Sam Curran has been rested by the ECB.
Jamie Overton sustained a calf injury against Somerset in the Championship and is out for an unspecified period of time.
Ollie Pope remains unavailable with a thigh injury. Ben Foakes (hamstring) and Liam Plunkett (calf) are also injured.
Surrey squad: Gareth Batty, Gus Atkinson, Rory Burns, Jordan Clark, Rikki Clarke, Tim David, Laurie Evans, Ben Geddes, Will Jacks, Conor McKerr, Daniel Moriarty, Ryan Patel, Nico Reifer, Jamie Smith, Reece Topley
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Gloucestershire: WLLWW
Surrey: LLWLNR
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 13
Gloucestershire wins: 5
Surrey wins: 8
Tied: 0
Abandoned: 1
No result: 0
What’s the weather forecast?
Hot and sunny in Cheltenham, with temperatures peaking around 26 degrees Celsius.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Cheltenham: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
Tickets for the match are unavailable. You can access the Gloucestershire ticket office here
Travel
Address: Visit Cayman Islands Cheltenham Cricket Festival, Cheltenham College, College Sports Ground, Thirlestaine Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7AB
By road:
From North and West: from M5 junction 11 take A40 (east) towards Cheltenham, continue on A40 (Gloucester Road then Lansdown Road), at Island Filling Station turn right on to Andover Road. Go over traffic lights into Suffolk Road. Go over traffic lights into Thirlestaine Road.
From South: from Cirencester (A435) continue to junction with A40, turn left on to A40 and continue on this road to Cheltenham College.
From East: follow A40 towards Cheltenham town centre, the College is on this road.
Parking: Parking is at the College Lawn Entrance of the ground, please note, this car park can only be used if a parking pass has been purchased.
Additional parking is available at Reeves Field which is around the corner from the College Ground. Parking for a whole day at Reeves Field is only £8.
By Train: Cheltenham Spa Train Station is located approximately one mile from the Cheltenham Cricket ground.
By Bus: Cheltenham and District L from town centre. There is a bus link from Cheltenham Spa Train Station to the town centre.
How do I follow the match?
Gloucestershire will offer live coverage of the match via their website: Click here
All T20 Blast matches are also available via the ECB's central hub: Click here
The matches can also be viewed on mobile via the ECB app.
Radio: All Vitality Blast fixtures will be available on BBC Local Radio stations with extensive coverage also on 5 Live Sports Extra.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and updates from every Vitality Blast match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Prediction?
Gloucestershire have won three of their past five matches, home win.
FRIDAY'S OTHER MATCH PREVIEWS
North Group
Birmingham Bears v Worcestershire Rapids
Leicestershire Foxes v Notts Outlaws
South Group
Hampshire Hawks v Essex Eagles
Hampshire Hawks v Sussex Sharks
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