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 Middlesex
Venue: Ageas Bowl, Southampton
Date: Monday, June 28, 2021
Start time: 7pm
What’s the lowdown?
Eighth plays ninth in this South Group basement battle, as the Blast group stage ticks past the halfway point and two sides desperately in need of victories look to mount an unexpected challenge for the top four.
Hampshire, in their resurrected Hawks guise, finally play at home for the first time in this season’s Blast - the World Test Championship final and England's third T20I against Sri Lanka were hosted at the Ageas Bowl, forcing the Hawks to play all of their away matches in one block. They now start an identical run of home fixtures, and will be hoping that a return to familiar surroundings provides the kick-start their campaign needs following defeats in all of their last three completed matches.
Middlesex have also won just twice so far, either side of a four-match losing streak. Their first victory came in this fixture's reverse leg at Radlett a fortnight ago, meaning there might be a psychological edge for Steven Finn's men to tap into. Their second, on Sunday, saw them complete a seven-wicket win over a Covid-depleted Glamorgan to switch places in Hampshire and finally move off the foot of the table.
Who’s in form?
Opener Stephen Eskinazi enters this clash on the back of becoming the sixth man to hit a T20 hundred for Middlesex. He scored 102 not out against Essex on June 24, 64 in the derby the following evening, and an unbeaten 91 against Hampshire, cementing his place at the top of Middlesex's run-scoring charts with 327 runs. There has also been a positive start to life in pink for New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell, who made 58 at the Oval in only his second game.
Another Steven, in the form of fast bowler and skipper Finn, also leads the way for Middlesex in wickets. Finn has 13 scalps to his name at an average of just below 20. Mitchell has impressed with the ball in recent matches, taking three wickets against Essex, while Nathan Sowter, who took 2 for 16 from three overs with his leg-breaks against Surrey, has also caught the eye. However, the pick of Middlesex's bowlers is Mujeeb Ur Rahman who took an economical 1 for 23 against Hampshire - expect more from the Afghan.
To counteract Mitchell, Hampshire have their own Kiwi all-rounder, the flamboyant Colin de Grandhomme, in their ranks. De Grandhomme made his debut for the Hawks away to Somerset on Friday, and took two wickets before blazing 66 off 34 balls in the chase. Leading run-scorers D’Arcy Short and Joe Weatherley have also continued their contributions, with Short in particular having made 48 off 28 and 37 off 27 in his last two innings.
The Hawks have struggled in the bowling department this season, with only one man – spinner Mason Crane, who tops the county’s wicket-taking charts with ten – having claimed more than four scalps this season. However, there was an impressive return for young quick Scott Currie in his first game of the season in Taunton, who picked up figures of 4 for 31 in four overs, and which included the dismissal of home top-scorer Tom Banton.
What’s the team news?
Hampshire Hawks: Hamsphire have named an unchanged 13-man squad for their first home fixture of the season.
Hampshire Hawks squad: James Vince, Scott Currie, Ryan Stevenson, James Fuller, Colin de Grandhomme, Toby Albert, Chris Wood, Lewis McManus, D'Arcy Short, Joe Weatherley, Brad Wheal, Tom Prest, Mason Crane
Middlesex: Stuart Law has made just one change to the squad which defeated Glamorgan with non-starter Tim Murtagh dropping out to represent the second XI at Merchant Taylors' School.
Middlesex squad: Steven Finn, Joe Cracknell, Blake Cullen, Stephen Eskinaxi, Nick Gubbins, Tom Helm, Max Holden, Luke Hollman, Daryl Mitchell, John Simpson, Nathan Sowter, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Hampshire Hawks: LAALL
Middlesex: WLLLL
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 34
Hampshire Hawks wins: 20
Middlesex: 13
Tied: 0
Abandoned: 3
No result: 1
What’s the weather forecast?
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Southamton: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
This match is sold out.
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?
Despite Hampshire having home advantage, Middlesex have winning momentum and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Away win.
OTHER T20 BLAST FIXTURES: MONDAY, JUNE 28
South Group
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