Leicestershire Foxes v Notts Outlaws T20 preview

While England’s footballers will explore the definition of a “must-win” game tonight in Brazil, two East Midlands teams meet at Grace Road knowing more than just local pride is at stake.

Leicestershire currently lie eighth in the North Group having won just one NatWest T20 Blast match this summer, while Nottinghamshire sit one place higher in seventh having won just two of their five matches. Both sides therefore know a win is imperative this evening if they harness any realistic hope of progressing in the competition.

The Outlaws are without batsman Michael Lumb, who is sidelined for four weeks with an arm injury. The opener capped 27 times by England in T20 internationals picked up the injury during Nottinghamshire’s remarkable six-wicket win over Middlesex in the County Championship on Tuesday. Australian Phil Jaques is drafted into the squad as his replacement, while former-Foxes stars James Taylor and Harry Gurney are likely to play against their old county.

The Foxes meanwhile welcome back seam bowler Nathan Buck, who made a successful return from injury in their County Championship defeat to Worcestershire this week. The 23-year-old injured a finger in the T20 match against the Rapids and missed the defeat to Lancashire, but he is back in the squad after taking five Worcestershire wickets in the second innings midweek.

Neither side will be particularly happy with their results in the competition so far this summer, Leicestershire having lost four on the bounce since they defeated Derbyshire by 27 runs in their opening fixture. Although Nottinghamshire also managed to beat Derbyshire at the beginning of the month, they will be pleased to be playing away from Trent Bridge, having lost three successive T20 matches at home – to Birmingham, Durham and Worcestershire.

The last time the two teams met was in the corresponding fixture at Grace Road last season, which the Foxes won by seven wickets thanks to a knock of 67* by their skipper Josh Cobb. Nottinghamshire won the other T20 match between the pair last year, chasing down Leicestershire’s 183-8 inside 18 overs at Trent Bridge. If these contests are anything to go by, the match this evening could be another run-fest, with both teams desperate for vital points.

Key Men

With Michael Lumb absent through injury, the onus to provide the impetus at the top of the batting order will fall on England T20 specialist Alex Hales. The 25-year-old is far from a one-trick pony however, as he demonstrated this week by posting scores of 96 and 94 in Nottinghamshire’s impressive County Championship victory against Middlesex. The in-form batsman has also made runs in the T20 Blast this summer, including a destructive 63 from 32 balls versus Derbyshire and 30 off 16 balls against Birmingham Bears last week.

Despite their poor run of form in the competition of late, the emergence of 21-year-old Tom Wells has been a big positive for the Foxes. A promising all-rounder, who is currently unable to bowl due to a side strain, Wells’ powerful strokeplay (eight sixes in five matches) has led to him becoming a key man in the Foxes middle-order. Currently averaging 70 in the competition this year, Wells made a half century (51) from 30 balls versus Warwickshire and 45* off 28 balls against Worcestershire at home this month.

Team News

Foxes seam bowler Nathan Buck returns to the squad for tonight’s match after his successful return from injury against Worcestershire this week. Dan Redfearn also comes into the squad, with batsman Michael Thornley and spinner James Sykes dropping out.

Leicestershire Foxes squad: Niall O’Brien, Josh Cobb, Greg Smith, Ned Eckersley, Matthew Boyce, Dan Redfern, Tom Wells, Ben Raine, Rob Taylor, Anthony Ireland, Jigar Naik, Nathan Buck, Charlie Shreck.

Outlaws Director of Cricket Mick Newell has added three players to the eleven he selected for last week’s home defeat to the Birmingham Bears. Australian batsman Phil Jaques replaces Michael Lumb, while Luke Fletcher and Sam Kelsall are also in contention.

Nottinghamshire Outlaws squad: Alex Hales, Phil Jaques, James Taylor, Samit Patel, Riki Wessels, Chris Read, Steven Mullaney, Sam Wood, Ajmal Shahzad, Andy Carter, Harry Gurney, Luke Fletcher, Sam Kelsall.

Form 

Leicestershire: LLLLW

Nottinghamshire: LWLLW

Weather and Conditions

A cloudy start to the day is expected in Leicester, however sunny intervals could intervene in time for the match. Highs of 19 degrees celsius.

Date: 19^th June 2014

Ground: Grace Road, Leicestershire

Time: 5.30 pm

Odds: Foxes (7/4) Outlaws (1/2)