The opening round match of the Vitality Blast 2020 will be played between Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire Steelbacks at The Bristol County Ground, Bristol.

Gloucestershire vs Northamptonshire, Central Group

Gloucestershire finished at the 2nd spot in their Vitality Blast group last year. The team ended the group stage with 7 wins and 3 losses from 14 matches. They won their quarter-final against Derbyshire.

They will be up against Northamptonshire Steelbacks who finished at the 7th place in their group after the league stage with 4 wins and 6 losses from 14 matches.

Michael Klinger was the top scorer for Gloucestershire in the last Blast season with 371 runs from 13 matches at an average of 33 and a strike rate of 122. He scored one century and one half-century last year with the best of 102* but is not available this season and the side will be captained by Jack Taylor, who will be relying on Miles Hammond and Ian Cockbain to sure up the batting.

David Payne picked up 16 wickets for Gloucestershire from 13 matches with best figures of 3/32. He bowled at an average of 21 and an economy of 7.38.

Sam Northeast was the highest run-scorer for Steelbacks last year with 273 runs from 13 matches at an average of 22 and a strike rate of 107. He scored two half-centuries with the best of 73 but has moved to Hampshire this season and they will be relying on Richard Levi and Ricardo Vasconcelos.

Nathan Buck, Ben Sanderson and Brett Hutton will share the bowling load for Northamptonshire Steelbacks.

Let's have a look at the probable playing XI of both teams: 

Northamptonshire - Richard Levi, Ricardo Vasconcelos, Adam Rossington (wk), Joshua Cobb , Alex Wakely (c), Rob Keogh, Tom Sole, Graeme White, Blessing Muzarabani, Nathan Buck, Ben Sanderson/Brett Hutton 

Gloucestershire - Chris Dent, Miles Hammond, James Bracey (wk), Ian Cockbain, Jack Taylor (c), Ryan Higgins, Graeme van Buuren, Tom Smith, David Payne, Josh Shaw, Chris Liddle

Who will win the toss? - Gloucestershire

Who will win? – Gloucestershire

Top Batsman (Runs Scored) – Miles Hammond (Gloucestershire), Richard Levi (Northamptonshire)

Top Bowler (Wickets taken) – David Payne (Gloucestershire), Nathan Buck (Northamptonshire)

Most Sixes – Miles Hammond (Gloucestershire), Richard Levi (Northamptonshire)

Man of the Match – Miles Hammond

Team Scores Batting first – Gloucestershire 180+, Northamptonshire 170+

 Match Handicap Gloucestershire

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*NB these predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In–Play’ features, so stay tuned.

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