Essex bolstered by Ryder, Bopara returns
ESPNcricinfo previews the match-ups for the second weekend of the Blast
Freddie Wilde
21-May-2015
Kent allrounder Matt Coles is set to face former county Hampshire • PA Photos
Glamorgan v Essex
With a second match on Sunday, Essex will have played four matches before some teams have played two. Having lost both their matches last week Essex will be desperate to record their sixth consecutive win over Glamorgan who began their campaign with an explosive victory over Surrey. Essex's top order, which has struggled, is bolstered by the return to fitness of Mark Pettini and Jesse Ryder, while Ravi Bopara is also back from the IPL. Jaik Mickleburgh and Dan Lawrence have been left out from last week's squad while Tom Wesley still misses out with an injured thumb. Glamorgan have made one change to their squad with David Lloyd out with injury. Wayne Parnell still isn't fully fit and misses out again.
With a second match on Sunday, Essex will have played four matches before some teams have played two. Having lost both their matches last week Essex will be desperate to record their sixth consecutive win over Glamorgan who began their campaign with an explosive victory over Surrey. Essex's top order, which has struggled, is bolstered by the return to fitness of Mark Pettini and Jesse Ryder, while Ravi Bopara is also back from the IPL. Jaik Mickleburgh and Dan Lawrence have been left out from last week's squad while Tom Wesley still misses out with an injured thumb. Glamorgan have made one change to their squad with David Lloyd out with injury. Wayne Parnell still isn't fully fit and misses out again.
Hampshire v Kent
Hampshire, who are aiming for a sixth successive Finals Day appearance, have named an unchanged squad from their convincing victory over Essex last Friday. They will, however, give a late fitness test to Fidel Edwards who is suffering from a shoulder injury. Kent also won their opening night fixture, beating Sussex in a tight match and have made one change, with Adam Riley replacing the injured James Tredwell. The visitors have former Hampshire pair David Griffiths and Matt Coles in their squad.
Hampshire, who are aiming for a sixth successive Finals Day appearance, have named an unchanged squad from their convincing victory over Essex last Friday. They will, however, give a late fitness test to Fidel Edwards who is suffering from a shoulder injury. Kent also won their opening night fixture, beating Sussex in a tight match and have made one change, with Adam Riley replacing the injured James Tredwell. The visitors have former Hampshire pair David Griffiths and Matt Coles in their squad.
Somerset v Sussex
Somerset were one of two counties who didn't play in the opening week and get their season underway against Sussex, who fell short in a tense run-chase against Kent on Friday. Somerset are still awaiting the arrival of Chris Gayle, who is on IPL duty, but they do have Pakistan bowler Sohail Tanvir available. Sussex have made one change to their squad from last week, with Tymal Mills replacing Steve Magoffin despite news emerging this week that he has a congenital back condition that could ultimately end his career. Jimmy Anyon, Lewis Hatchett, Matt Prior, Ajmal Shahzad and Ashar Zaidi all remain unfit.
Somerset were one of two counties who didn't play in the opening week and get their season underway against Sussex, who fell short in a tense run-chase against Kent on Friday. Somerset are still awaiting the arrival of Chris Gayle, who is on IPL duty, but they do have Pakistan bowler Sohail Tanvir available. Sussex have made one change to their squad from last week, with Tymal Mills replacing Steve Magoffin despite news emerging this week that he has a congenital back condition that could ultimately end his career. Jimmy Anyon, Lewis Hatchett, Matt Prior, Ajmal Shahzad and Ashar Zaidi all remain unfit.
Lancashire v Durham
Lancashire, who are unbeaten in their last seven T20 matches against Durham and have won nine of their last eleven home matches against them, will be seeking to build on their last-ball victory against Leicestershire. Durham also won their opening match, beating Northamptonshire convincingly after reducing them to 41 for 5 in pursuit of 175 before the rain came. There is a possibility Lancashire could hand James Faulkner his debut after his IPL season was ended on Wednesday with Saqib Mahmood left out. Durham have not named Graham Onions, who didn't play last week, in their squad and added Paul Coughlin and Michael Richardson.
Lancashire, who are unbeaten in their last seven T20 matches against Durham and have won nine of their last eleven home matches against them, will be seeking to build on their last-ball victory against Leicestershire. Durham also won their opening match, beating Northamptonshire convincingly after reducing them to 41 for 5 in pursuit of 175 before the rain came. There is a possibility Lancashire could hand James Faulkner his debut after his IPL season was ended on Wednesday with Saqib Mahmood left out. Durham have not named Graham Onions, who didn't play last week, in their squad and added Paul Coughlin and Michael Richardson.
Leicestershire v Derbyshire
A big crowd is expected for Leicestershire's first home match of the season against local rivals Derbyshire, with 4500 tickets already sold and a near sell-out expected. Derbyshire have expanded their 13-man squad from their opening night defeat against Yorkshire to 14 to include allrounder Wayne White, who is returning from injury. Nathan Rimmington, Wayne Madsen, Tony Palladino and Jonathan Clare all miss out due to injury. Neither Aadil Ali nor Angus Robson played in Leicestershire's defeat to Lancashire last week and they have been left out of their squad this time around with Neil Pinner, who has never played a T20 match, coming in.
A big crowd is expected for Leicestershire's first home match of the season against local rivals Derbyshire, with 4500 tickets already sold and a near sell-out expected. Derbyshire have expanded their 13-man squad from their opening night defeat against Yorkshire to 14 to include allrounder Wayne White, who is returning from injury. Nathan Rimmington, Wayne Madsen, Tony Palladino and Jonathan Clare all miss out due to injury. Neither Aadil Ali nor Angus Robson played in Leicestershire's defeat to Lancashire last week and they have been left out of their squad this time around with Neil Pinner, who has never played a T20 match, coming in.
Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire
Yorkshire, who won their opening fixture against Derbyshire last week, will be seeking their first victory in four matches against Nottinghamshire, having lost seven of the last eight meetings between the two counties. Glenn Maxwell will make his Yorkshire debut after arrivign from the IPL; Nottinghamshire will be without Alex Hales who has gone in the opposite direction to join Mumbai Indians. Yorkshire have expanded their 13-man squad to include Maxwell, while Nottinghamshire, who beat Warwickshire in their opening fixture, have replaced Hales with Brett Hutton.
Yorkshire, who won their opening fixture against Derbyshire last week, will be seeking their first victory in four matches against Nottinghamshire, having lost seven of the last eight meetings between the two counties. Glenn Maxwell will make his Yorkshire debut after arrivign from the IPL; Nottinghamshire will be without Alex Hales who has gone in the opposite direction to join Mumbai Indians. Yorkshire have expanded their 13-man squad to include Maxwell, while Nottinghamshire, who beat Warwickshire in their opening fixture, have replaced Hales with Brett Hutton.
Warwickshire v Worcestershire
Defending champions Warwickshire will be looking to bounce back from their defeat against Nottinghamshire when they host Worcestershire, who are playing their first match of the season. Warwickshire have made one change to their squad, leaving out Keith Barker for Recordo Gordon. Worcestershire warmed up for the season on Thursday by plundering 236 for 2 against Shropshire, before conceding nearly 200 in defence. They will be without overseas signing Colin Munro, who remains at the IPL with Mumbai Indians, but still boast Sachithra Senanayake.
Defending champions Warwickshire will be looking to bounce back from their defeat against Nottinghamshire when they host Worcestershire, who are playing their first match of the season. Warwickshire have made one change to their squad, leaving out Keith Barker for Recordo Gordon. Worcestershire warmed up for the season on Thursday by plundering 236 for 2 against Shropshire, before conceding nearly 200 in defence. They will be without overseas signing Colin Munro, who remains at the IPL with Mumbai Indians, but still boast Sachithra Senanayake.
Freddie Wilde is a freelance T20 journalist. @fwildecricket