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: Hampshire Hawks v Sussex Sharks
Venue: Ageas Bowl, Southampton
Date: Friday, July 16, 2021
Start time: 7pm
What’s the lowdown?
This is the second match of a double-header for Hampshire on Friday, with Essex Eagles visiting earlier in the day.
Sussex will be looking to secure home advantage in the quarter-finals and have momentum with them thanks to a run of four victories in five matches.
They sit second going into this one and, with table-topping Kent Spitfires having to name a second-string side against Middlesex because of Covid-19 isolation protocols, they will be hoping to draw level with the division leaders by the end of the evening.
Even three wins out of their final three games are unlikely to be enough to get Hampshire a place in the last eight. The Hawks have won just one of their five games prior to Friday, and have had three matches abandoned in this year's competition - no one has had more.
Who’s in form?
Phil Salt is averaging 52 with the bat for Sussex Sharks in 2021, with three half-centuries. Luke Wright is the other Sussex batsman to pass 200 runs for the competition, striking at a dizzying 169.
Ravi Bopara and Delray Rawlins both starred with quick fifties in the Sharks' latest win over Essex Eagles last week.
Archie Lenham's 10 wickets have come at 15s, giving the teenager an extraordinary introduction to the elite level.
Ollie Robinson (2-18) and Chris Jordan (3-30) were both among the wickets against Essex.
What’s the team news?
A 12-man squad has been named for Hampshire Hawks' fixtures against Essex Eagles, Sussex Sharks and Glamorgan
James Vince and Liam Dawson return after periods away with England and in isolation.
Hampshire Hawks squad: James Vince, Lewis McManus, Scott Currie, D’Arcy Short, Liam Dawson, Joe Weatherley, James Fuller, Brad Wheal, Colin de Grandhomme, Tom Prest, Chris Wood, Mason Crane
Rashid Khan will make his first appearances of the season for Sussex, having completed hotel quarantine.
Rashid is part of a 15-man squad for games against Hampshire and Kent away trips. Phil Salt is included after returning from England duty. Tymal Mills is unavailable because of a hamstring injury, George Garton is in self-isolation.
Sussex Sharks squad: Luke Wright, Will Beer, Ravi Bopara, Oli Carter, Mitch Claydon, Henry Crocombe, Travis Head, Rashid Khan, Archie Lenham, Ali Orr, Delray Rawlins, Ollie Robinson, Phil Salt, Harrison Ward, David Wiese
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Hampshire Hawks: WLALA
Sussex Sharks: WWLWW
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 32
Hampshire Hawks wins: 15
Sussex Sharks: 14
Tied: 0
Abandoned: 3
No result: 5
What’s the weather forecast?
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Southampton: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
Click here to access the Hampshire ticket office.
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
Sussex look strong with the returning Rashid Khan, but Mills and Garton will be big absences. Hampshire will be facing their second game of the day. Away win.
FRIDAY'S OTHER MATCH PREVIEWS
North Group
Birmingham Bears v Worcestershire Rapids
Leicestershire Foxes v Notts Outlaws
South Group
Hampshire Hawks v Essex Eagles
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