Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast, form, prediction and everything else you need to know ahead of the penultimate round of the Vitality Blast...
Fixture: Birmingham Bears v Northamptonshire Steelbacks
Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
Date: Sunday, July 18, 2021
Start time: 4.30pm
What’s the lowdown?
A must-win game for the Bears, as they chase a place in the last eight.
Victory over Worcestershire Rapids on Friday closed the gap on the top four but Birmingham still sit outside the qualification zone ahead of the final set of fixtures.
A win over Northamptonshire, coupled with defeat for Worcestershire at Leicestershire, would see Birmingham leapfrog their near neighbours into a qualification spot.
Steelbacks are playing for little more than pride. They are bottom of the table but could jump to as high as sixth with a victory, depending on the outcome of other matches.
Who’s in form?
Sam Hain, who collected a Hundred wildcard to join Manchester Phoenix following impressive early-season form in the Blast, continues to be a figurehead for the team in 2021.
Hain has 349 runs at a shade over 48 this season, at a strike rate above 140. He made 83 from 53 balls in the crucial win against Worcestershire on Friday.
With the ball, the Bears have another Hundred wildcard on their hands - Jake Lintott has claimed 13 wickets at a tickle under 20 this term. His economy rate of 7.22 is particularly good for a spinner based at Edgbaston.
Danny Briggs is one of only 12 bowlers in the competition to have thrown down 100-plus deliveries in this year's Blast and retained an economy rate of under 7.
Briggs also has 14 wickets, at 21.57 apiece.
Northamptonshire have had a disappointing campaign. Only two batsmen - Ricardo Vasconcelos and Rob Keogh - have managed more than 150 runs, while among the bowlers only two men have claimed more than 10 wickets: Graeme White and Tom Taylor.
The spin department has at least given the Steelbacks reason for optimism. Young legspinner Freddie Heldreich has an economy rate of 5.85 across 14 overs for the county since his breakthrough appearance, and old head Mohammad Nabi has been typically stifling with his economy of 6.08.
What’s the team news?
Birmingham Bears: Mark Robinson has named an unchanged squad to face Northants. Chris Woakes (knee) has been left out as a precaution.
Birmingham Bears squad: Will Rhodes (C), Carlos Brathwaite, Danny Briggs, Michael Burgess, Sam Hain, Adam Hose, Matt Lamb, Jake Lintott, Kyle Mayers, Craig Miles, Ed Pollock, Ryan Sidebottom, Rob Yates
Northamptonshire Steelbacks: Richard Levi, Wayne Parnell and Ben Sanderson drop out from the squad which lost to Lancashire Lightning last time out. Emilio Gay and Jack White are their replacements.
Northants Steelbacks squad: Josh Cobb, Ben Curran, Emilio Gay, Brandon Glover, Freddie Heldreich, Rob Keogh, Mohammad Nabi, Tom Taylor, Charlie Thurston, Ricardo Vasconcelos, Graeme White, Jack White, Saif Zaib
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Birmingham Bears: WLLWL
Northamptonshire Steelbacks: LWWLW
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 36
Birmingham Bears wins: 18
Northamptonshire Steelbacks wins: 17
Tied: 1
Abandoned: 2
No result: 0
Latest Northamptonshire Steelbacks news
What’s the weather forecast?
Follow the live forecast for Edgbaston from the Met Office: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
This match is sold out.
Travel
Address: Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Rd, Birmingham, B5 7QU
Parking: There will be no parking available to purchase in advance or on the day for this fixture.
Parking will be available on-site for annual car park pass holders only. A small number of disabled parking spaces will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Public car parking may also be available on a pay and display basis in Cannon Hill Park and/or the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Centre. These car parks are not operated by Edgbaston.
By bus: There are regular local buses to the ground from southwest Birmingham and the city centre. National Express buses 45 and 47 have services between the city centre and Pershore Road which is a two-minute walk to the ground.
More information on local buses can be found by clicking here.
By train: Birmingham New Street Station is the main rail hub for the city with connections from all over the country.
How do I follow the match?
Birmingham 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?
Birmingham must win. Birmingham should win.
SUNDAY'S OTHER MATCH PREVIEWS
North Group
Leicestershire Foxes v Worcestershire Rapids
South Group
Kent Spitfires v Sussex Sharks
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