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: Hampshire Hawks v Essex Eagles
Venue: Ageas Bowl, Southampton
Date: Friday, July 16, 2021
Start time: 2.30pm
What’s the lowdown?
The first of two matches for Hampshire Hawks on Friday, the second being a 7pm clash with Sussex Sharks.
Hampshire stunned high-flying Somerset in their last T20 outing, bowling their visitors out for 100 to seal a 75-run victory. The Hawks are now searching for their third successive win and, sitting five points outside the top four with three games remaining, are still mathematically in with a chance of progressing to the knockout stage. If they pull it off, they may have to change their name to Hampshire Phoenix.
Essex are two points above Hampshire in sixth position and only three points behind fourth-placed Somerset. The Eagles' form has been patchy in 2021, with five wins and six defeats to their name, but with their final two fixtures against Hampshire and Middlesex, they might just get the four points necessary to overhaul one of Somerset or Gloucestershire.
Who’s in form?
Lewis McManus and Joe Weatherley were the stars with the bat against Somerset for Hampshire. Wicketkeeper McManus scored a career-high 60 not out from 36 balls to pass 150 runs for the season, while Weatherley added 50 of his own (35 balls) to maintain his lead as Hampshire's top run-scorer. The 24-year-old has 256 runs in eight outings while Colin de Grandhomme is embracing his role as Hampshire's explosive option, smashing 101 runs in four appearances at a strike rate of 157.81.
With the ball, Scott Currie finished with figures of 4 for 24 against Somerset, taking him to 12 wickets for the season - level with Mason Crane. Meanwhile, Chris Wood bowled a tidy two overs for the loss of just eight runs in the same match. His economy for the season is 7.31 - a figure only bettered by Brad Wheal among the Hampshire bowlers to bowl more than 10 overs.
For Essex, Tom Westley scored his first half-century of the season against Sussex, posting 53 runs from 45 balls, while Michael Pepper once again batted strongly at number three, adding 38 runs from 26 balls to take him to 248 for the season. Simon Harmer and Sam Cook are the Eagles' stand-out bowlers, with 16 and 15 wickets, respectively.
What’s the team news?
A 12-man squad has been named for Hampshire Hawks' fixtures against Essex Eagles, Sussex Sharks and Glamorgan
James Vince and Liam Dawson return after periods away with England and in isolation.
Hampshire Hawks squad: James Vince, Lewis McManus, Scott Currie, D’Arcy Short, Liam Dawson, Joe Weatherley, James Fuller, Brad Wheal, Colin de Grandhomme, Tom Prest, Chris Wood, Mason Crane
Essex Eagles squad: Simon Harmer, Sam Cook, Feroze Khushi, Dan Lawrence, Jimmy Neesham, Aron Nijjar, Michael Pepper, Jack Plom, Shane Snater, Ryan ten Doeschate, Paul Walter, Tom Westley, Adam Wheater
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Hampshire Hawks: WWLAL
Essex Eagles: LWWLW
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 34
Hampshire Hawks wins: 14
Essex Eagles: 13
Tied: 3
Abandoned: 4
No result: 4
What’s the weather forecast?
A gorgeous day for spectators but likely to be hot and sweaty out in the middle with wall to wall sunshine and temperatures pushing 26 degrees celsius forecast.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Southampton: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
Tickets are provisionally sold out for all of Hampshire's Blast matches.
Click here to access the Hampshire ticket office.
Travel
Address: Botley Rd, West End, Southampton SO30 3XH
Walking: If you are walking to The Ageas Bowl, make your way along Botley Road until you reach Marshall Drive and the giant set of cricket stumps.
Then walk up Marshall Drive and head straight over the roundabout for the ground
By train: Hedge End train station is less than two miles away, approximately a 35-minute walk from The Ageas Bowl.
The No.8 bus service connects the stadium with Hedge End train station, Southampton Civic Centre or Southampton City Centre.
By car: The Ageas Bowl is just 1.2 miles from the M27, Junction 7. When exiting the motorway follow signs for The Ageas Bowl.
The Ageas Bowl offers complimentary parking for those attending meetings, weddings or events at the venue.
Cycling: There is also a free bicycle storage facility. This is located near the Hampshire Wellbeing Centre, located opposite the East Gate of the main stadium.
How do I follow the match?
Hampshire will show this game on 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?
Two sides who need to win all of their remaining matches. On home soil and with the momentum of two wins behind them, Hampshire might take this one.
FRIDAY'S OTHER MATCH PREVIEWS
North Group
Birmingham Bears v Worcestershire Rapids
Leicestershire Foxes v Notts Outlaws
South Group
Hampshire Hawks v Sussex Sharks
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