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: Birmingham Bears v Lancashire Lightning
Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
Date: Friday, June 18, 2021
Start time: 6.30pm
What’s the lowdown?
The Bears have enjoyed an explosive start to their Blast campaign, racking up some huge totals and restricting teams to below-par scores. Their 229 against Notts was the crowning performance to help them sit atop of the North Group. They have suffered defeat only once, at the hands of second-placed Yorkshire in their opening fixture.
Lancashire will provide a great test, with an immensely strong top four, some talented young quick bowlers and leading leg spinner Matt Parkinson. They have won three out of five so far, losing to Durham last time out.
Who’s in form?
Sam Hain has got off to an incredible start to the white ball portion of the season. His consistency in the shorter formats is truly unrivalled. His 251 runs make him among the best batter in the open week of the competition, coming at a staggering average of 83. He has now become the Bears' all-time leading run-scorer in the format, surpassing Ian Bell in his last game.
Jack Lintott and Danny Briggs have shared the left-arm spin duties and each have eight wickets to their name, in what has been an impressive start to the season for both.
As Lightning prepare to lose their England contingent, the focus will likely swell on the performances of their overseas signing Finn Allen who battered a 51-ball 73 against Leicestershire. Support for Parkinson in the bowling department is much needed, however.
What’s the team news?
Birmingham Bears: Olly Stone's return has been put back after he suffered from back discomfort after playing for England against New Zealand. Chris Woakes returns however after missing the clash with Leicestershire Foxes. Adam Hose, Henry Brookes and Rob Yates remain out
Birmingham Bears squad: Will Rhodes (c), Carlos Brathwaite, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Ethan Brookes, Michael Burgess, Sam Hain, Olly Hannon-Dalby, Jake Lintott, Pieter Malan, Craig Miles, Dan Mousley, Ed Pollock
Lancashire: Jos Buttler and Liam Livingstone are available for the final time before they join up with England for the Sri Lanka T20s.
Lancashire Lightning squad: Coming soon.
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Birmingham Bears: WWWWL
Lancashire Lightning: LWLWW
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 16
Birmingham Bears wins: 7
Lancashire Lightning wins: 8
Tied: 0
Abandoned: 3
No result: 1
Latest Lancashire Lightning news
What’s the weather forecast?
Birmingham is under a yellow warning for thunder on Friday evening with a 50 to 60 per cent likelihood of rain. Temperatures expected to hover between 12 and 16 degrees Celsius.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Edgbaston: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
Tickets are still available for this match. Click here for the Edgbaston box office.
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 south west 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?
Although Lancashire have been in reasonable form and possess some wonderful players, it is hard to go against the bang in form Birmingham Bears on their home ground. Bears win.
OTHER T20 BLAST FIXTURES: FRIDAY, JUNE 18
North Group
Worcestershire Rapids v Northamptonshire Steelbacks
Notts Outlaws v Derbyshire Falcons
South Group
Essex Eagles v Gloucestershire
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