Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast, form, prediction and everything else you need to know ahead of the first Vitality Blast quarter-final
Fixture: Yorkshire Vikings v Sussex Sharks
Venue: Emirates Riverside, Chester-le-Street
Date: Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Start time: 6.30pm
What’s the lowdown?
Yorkshire Vikings have qualified for the T20 Blast quarter-finals for the first time since 2016. The Vikings started the group stage strongly, winning five of their opening eight matches - including scoring a huge 240 runs against Leicestershire Foxes.
However, they lost three of their last five completed matches before their final group match was called off due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the Derbyshire Falcons squad. With no play possible, Yorkshire's final points toal was decided on average points per completed match, hence why they pipped rivals Lancashire to second place despite having one point fewer.
Sussex Sharks had their own troubles in the South Group, losing five matches to the weather, including three in a row between June 15 and June 25. However they won six of their nine completed matches to finish in third position with 17 points, just two behind table-toppers Kent Spitfires.
This match will be played at Durham's Emirates Riverside stadium due to Emerald Headingley hosting the third Test between England and India, which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 25.
Who’s in form?
Harry Brook is Yorkshire's form batsman, scoring 485 runs at a strike rate of 150.15 in 12 appearances for the Vikings. The 22-year-old, who is the third-highest run-scorer in the competition, has also starred in The Hundred over the past few weeks, scoring 189 runs in five appearances for Northern Superchargers. Adam Lyth and Jonny Bairstow are the only other Yorkshire players to pass 200 runs, but the latter is likely to be absent on international duty.
With the ball, Lockie Ferguson has taken 14 wickets to top Yorkshire's wicket-taking charts while Dom Bess, Jordan Thompson and Matthew Fisher have each taken 11 wickets.
For Sussex Sharks, three players - Luke Wright (306 runs), Phil Salt (266), and Ravi Bopara (228) - have passed 200 runs in the competition to date, with all three scoring three half-centuries. Delray Rawlins is the only other player in the squad to record a 50+ knock.
David Wiese and Tymal Mills are the club's leading wicket-takers with 11 wickets apiece. However, George Garton is only three wickets behind despite playing just five matches while teenager Archie Lenham has taken 10 wickets in 21 overs.
What’s the team news?
Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root and Dawid Malan are with England ahead of the third India Test.
Harry Brook, Matthew Fisher, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Adil Rashid, Jordan Thompson and David Willey return after spells in The Hundred.
Lockie Ferguson misses out after being forced into isolation after contracting Covid-19.
Yorkshire Vikings squad: Gary Ballance, Dominic Bess, Harry Brook, Harry Duke (wk), Matthew Fisher, Will Fraine, George Hill, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Adam Lyth, Adil Rashid, Jordan Thompson, Matthew Waite, David Willey
Chris Jordan, George Garton and Tymal Mills are back after helping Southern Brave win the men's Hundred. Henry Crocombe, Travis Head and Ali Orr all miss out after being part of the squad at the end of the group stage.
Archie Lenham, Luke Wright, Phil Salt, Rashid Khan and Ravi Bopara also return after spells in the competition. Ollie Robinson is with England for the India Test series while Travis Head.
Sussex Sharks squad: Luke Wright, David Wiese, Harrison Ward, Phil Salt, Delray Rawlins, Tymal Mills, Archie Lenham, Rashid Khan, Chris Jordan, George Garton, Mitch Claydon, Oli Carter, Ravi Bopara, Will Beer
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Yorkshire Vikings: LLWLW
Sussex Sharks: WLWWL
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 2
Yorkshire Vikings wins: 1
Sussex Sharks wins: 1
Tied: 0
Abandoned: 0
No result: 0
What’s the weather forecast?
Cloudy conditions with sunny intervals are expected over Emirates Riverside, with temperatures forecast to peak around 17 degrees Celsius.
Keep up to date with the Met Office's rolling forecast for Chester-le-Street: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
Tickets are available for this fixture.
Click here to access the Yorkshire box office.
Travel
Address: Durham County Cricket Club, Emirates Riverside, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, DH3 3QR
By car: The ground is situated a mile outside Chester-le-Street. There are two car parks at the ground.
The Emirates Riverside has a designated drop-off and pick-up point for all cars and taxis.
A road closure may be in place on B1284 Rotary Way immediately after play finishes. The club say it is advisable for vehicles to be at the pick-up point approximately 15 minutes before close of play. All vehicles must turn left when exiting from the pick-up point.
Details regarding road closures for major events will be made available on the Durham CCC website two to three weeks prior to the event taking place.
By public transport: Chester-le-Street rail station is served by Northern Rail, CrossCountry & First TransPennine trains. The station is a 20-minute walk from the ground. East Coast services stop at both Durham and Newcastle instead.
There is a shuttle bus service available from Durham Station to and from Emirates Riverside.
Several buses beginning their journeys in Newcastle stop near the Riverside.
How do I follow the match?
The match will be broadcast on Sky Sports Cricket, with coverage starting at 6pm.
All T20 Blast matches are 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?
The Sharks' Hundred-winning attack will be buoyant as they return to county action. Yorkshire are without Ferguson and have lost home advantage due to the Test match being held at Headingley. 'Away' win.
OTHER T20 BLAST QUARTER-FINAL PREVIEWS
Notts Outlaws v Hampshire Hawks
Somerset v Lancashire Lightning
Kent Spitfires v Birmingham Bears
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.