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 Sussex Sharks
Venue: County Ground, Bristol
Date: Friday, June 11, 2021
Start time: 6.30pm
What’s the lowdown?
It was something of a coup that Gloucestershire nabbed the signature of New Zealand wicketkeeper Glenn Phillips, who is ranked No.30 in the T20 Player Index, for this season’s Blast, and the new signing hit the ground running with 44 from 32 against a Glamorgan.
With the Kiwi leading the charge and able support from skipper Taylor and allrounders Ryan Higgins and Benny Howell, the Glosters were able to post a competitive 179 for 6. Though Glamorgan threatened to chase down the target via Marnus Labuschagne’s unbeaten 93, they were left needing 19 from the final over which Higgins was able to defend.
Sussex open their account as visitors at a ground which holds happy memories for the side. You have to go as far back as 2014 to find the last time Gloucestershire beat the Sharks at Bristol.
It seems astonishing that a side, even without the injured Jofra Archer, that boasts the talents of Rashid Khan, Tymal Mills, Luke Wright, Phil Salt and Chris Jordan hasn’t won the tournament since 2009 and has only reached the final once in the interim.
With Khan at the PSL for the Blast’s initial stages, the Sharks will be reliant on the spin of Will Beer and Jack Carson (who has been a revelation in the Championship this term) to strangle Jack Taylor’s charges.
Who’s in form?
Phillips looked to fit the bill as a top-drawer overseas signing in his knock but Benny Howell arguably put in the performance of the game in Cardiff. Having hit 30 from 15 to propel his side’s total beyond par, after the idiosyncratic seamer’s first two overs went for 24 it looked as if the hosts were going to run away with it. Howell then took three wickets in his remaining overs to finish with 3 for 39 and snuff out any chances of a home win.
Allrounder David Wiese, who plays this year as an overseas having had his Kolpak status removed, was a consistent presence with bat in hand for the Sharks last year, averaging over 40 whilst striking at over 140.
It was, however, Wright who was the primary run scorer for Sussex: only two players scored more than his 411 runs last term. Left-arm quick George Garton had a superb Blast in 2020 taking 14 wickets whilst going at less than eight runs-per-over. He has looked sharp in the Championship season and will get Gloucestershire’s top order jumping.
What’s the team news?
Gloucestershire will be without Ryan Higgins, who fractured a toe against Glamorgan.
Gloucestershire squad: Miles Hammond, Chris Dent, Ian Cockbain, Glenn Phillips, Jack Taylor, George Scott, Benny Howell, Graeme van Buuren, Tom Smith, David Payne, Matt Taylor, George Hankins, Josh Shaw
Sussex name 16-year-old leg spinner Archie Lenham in their squad, who, if he plays, would become the second youngest player in Blast history after Hamidullah Qadri.
Ollie Robinson will not be involved as he takes a leave of absence from the game.
Sussex squad: Luke Wright, Will Beer, Ravi Bopara, Oli Carter, Henry Crocombe, George Garton, Travis Head, Chris Jordan, Archie Lenham, Tymal Mills, Delray Rawlins, Phil Salt, Aaron Thomason, David Wiese
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Gloucestershire: WLWWL
Sussex Sharks: LWWLL
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 17
Gloucestershire wins: 6
Sussex Sharks wins: 10
Tied: 0
Abandoned: 2
No result: 1
What’s the weather forecast?
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Bristol: Click here
Going to the game
Tickets
Adult tickets are £25, under-18s are £5. There are also group special offers.
Click here to access the Gloucestershire box office.
Travel
Address: The Bristol County Ground, Nevil Road, Bristol, BS7 9EJ
By car: The ground is situated in close proximity to the M32 with access to the M4 and M5.
Limited parking is sometimes available in the City of Bristol College car park, however it is recommended that all visitors should travel to the ground via public transport.
By public transport: The Brightside Ground is easily accessible by bus.
Services 17, 70/71, 72, 73, 75, 76, T2 all run within a five-minute walk of the main entrance using stops on the nearby Gloucester Road (Services 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, T2), Muller Road (Service 17) and Ashley Down Road (Service 70).
All buses operate at regular intervals, Service 75 and 76 run 24 hours a day.
Train journeys from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads take approximately an hour and three quarters.
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?
Sussex, on paper, are a T20 side to be reckoned with. We think they'll start with a bang. Away win.
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.