Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham, England
Surrey
Gloucestershire
Surrey
Gloucestershire
An unstoppable force meets an immovable object!
Surrey have more experience and international stars in their ranks, and that gives them an edge in this contest as they’re better used to handling these challenges!
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Gloucestershire and Surrey have been two of the best teams in the tournament so far, and they’ll be clashing for a spot in the final. They’ve been efficient and the best team in their respective groups so far but all that’s behind them. The other common factor has been their all-round game, with both the bowling and batting complementing each other. Even in their respective quarterfinal games, we got to see this element and it’s no surprise that they won their games by comfortable margins.
Like poles repel, and these are two similar-styled teams in terms of skill, form and confidence. But one of them will have to bow out. That makes up for a cracking game, with plenty of matchwinners on both sides. Surrey has a slight edge as they possess a lot of international quality in their ranks, both with bat and ball. Gloucestershire, in contrast, don’t have a single player of international or national experience but have a bunch of enthusiastic domestic entities who relish playing as a unit.
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They’ve been known to be an explosive unit with the bat but their quarterfinal clash against Kent showed their adaptable nature. On a dry and two-paced surface, openers Jason Roy and Hashim Amla read the surface brilliantly, with the latter assuming the unusual role of an aggressor. Despite the platform of a century stand, Surrey didn’t go too hard and while Kent’s bowling also played a role, it told you that Gareth Batty’s men had read the conditions well. Anything over 160, especially in a knockout game, was going to be hard on that surface. Having gotten 169, Surrey then unleashed spinner after spinner to choke the life out Kent’s run chase.
The semifinal is being held at Edgbaston and while the surface will be fresh for this clash, owing to it being the first match of the day, there could still be help for the spinners. Surrey’s bowling goes up a notch in these conditions as even their seamers like Liam Plunkett and Reece Topley enjoy varying their speeds, and bowling it into the pitch. Moriarty has already been in top wicket-taking form. Surrey also have enviable batting depth and experience, which should hold them in good stead for this clash.
Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
H Amla | 73 | 53 | 9 | 1 | 137.74 |
J Roy | 56 | 42 | 8 | 0 | 133.33 |
W Jacks | 23 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 127.78 |
Bowlers | O | M | R | W | Econ |
W Jacks | 4.0 | 0 | 15 | 4 | 3.75 |
D Moriarty | 4.0 | 0 | 24 | 1 | 6 |
R Topley | 4.0 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 |
Bowlers | O | M | R | W | Econ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
W Jacks | 4.0 | 0 | 15 | 4 | 3.75 |
D Moriarty | 4.0 | 0 | 24 | 1 | 6 |
R Topley | 4.0 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 |
It’s been a fairy-tale ride so far for Gloucestershire and even if they don’t win the title, an appearance in the final itself will make for a great story. Given the off-field challenges that they had to endure heading into this clash. That they are on a roll can be summarised from their clinical quarterfinal win against Northamptonshire, probably the only one-sided contest in the knockouts thus far. While Bristol offered a sluggish surface, it was by no means an unplayable batting surface.
Northants were just stifled by some accurate and penetrative bowling from Gloucestershire who virtually sealed the deal at the halfway break itself. The chase of 114 was only a mere formality and they got the job done with as many as 49 deliveries left. A comprehensive win indeed and they’ll be full of beans heading into this semifinal. However, the challenge ahead is a lot tougher and it will take Gloucestershire’s every possible drop of skill if they are to match Surrey. Not having the experience and international quality as their opponents is a drawback for Gloucestershire but they haven’t needed that all season, and will feel that they don’t at this point either. If they play as a team, we can expect a close game.
Hr | Temp | Rain | W. speed | W. direction | Clouds |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
00h | 16 | 0 mm. | 3.51 k/h | From: N | 1% |
03h | 14 | 0 mm. | 2.84 k/h | From: N | 0% |
06h | 13 | 0 mm. | 1.99 k/h | From: NNE | 0% |
09h | 11 | 0 mm. | 1.94 k/h | From: NNE | 0% |
12h | 10 | 0 mm. | 1.69 k/h | From: NE | 0% |
15h | 17 | 0 mm. | 1.76 k/h | From: NE | 0% |
18h | 23 | 0 mm. | 1.24 k/h | From: ENE | 0% |
21h | 23 | 0 mm. | 1.7 k/h | From: ENE | 0% |
The forecast is for a largely rainy day in Birmingham and with it being the Finals day, a lot is at stake. Pitches at Edgbaston have been good for batting, particularly in the afternoon and evening games. This being a morning start could be a bit tacky but should get better as the match progresses.
Edgbaston has been one of England’s iconic venues both in Tests and limited-overs cricket. The highlight has been the euphoric jam-packed crowd, which will be missed this time due to obvious reasons.
Teams might want to bowl, given that a morning start allows the bowling side to begin well and the deck should get better as the day progresses. The rain factor is also there.
It’s a very tough one to call, particularly given the form guides of the two teams so far. Surrey and Gloucestershire have been two of the best sides in the competition this season, and it all boils down to who handles the pressure of a knockout better.
Surrey has more experience and international stars in their ranks, and that gives them an edge in this contest as they’re better used to handling these challenges. This is not to say that Gloucestershire is pushovers, they’re anything but that. However, in a game of potentially small margins, every inch of advantage counts. Therefore, Surrey seems primed to win this contest and make it to the final.
Surrey have more experience and international stars in their ranks, and that gives them an edge in this contest as they’re better used to handling these challenges!
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