Yorkshire vs Leicestershire, VITALITY T20 BLAST 2023, Today Match Prediction

yorks vs leic Match Prediction & Analysis

Yorkshire have had a pretty solid season of the 2023 Vitality Blast so far. They are currently in 3rd place in the North Group with 5 wins, 3 losses, and 10 points. A win in their next game against Leicestershire can take them to the top spot, as the current table-toppers, Nottinghamshire, have 12 points in their kitty. Yorkshire have already beaten Leicestershire once earlier this season and will be pretty confident of repeating the feat against the bottom dwellers.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Yorkshire Preview

After starting the season with three consecutive losses, Yorkshire have made a terrific comeback, winning five games on the trot. Their last victory came against Worcestershire at Headingley, on June 9. Batting first, Yorkshire posted a commanding 224-4 on the board and went on to win the game by 26 runs. Playing just his second game, 22-year-old James Wharton’s unbeaten 111 off 56 balls laid the foundation for that massive total. It looks as if Yorkshire have unearthed an exciting new talent, and it will be exciting to see how he fares in the remaining matches.

Dawid Malan, too, continues his impressive run. He smashed 79 off 48 balls in the match against Worcestershire, taking his season tally to 409 runs in just 8 innings at an average of 68.16 and a strike rate of 155.51.

Yorkshire’s bowlers have gone for runs on these flat wickets, but many have been able to regularly take wickets. Leading the bowling pack this season is right-arm seamer Jordan Thompson, who has 15 wickets in 8 matches. Ben Mike may have gone at an economy of over 10, but he has 10 wickets in 8 matches and is hence a valuable asset. All-rounder David Wiese (9 wickets in 7 matches at an economy of 7.96) has done a really good job of keeping things tight and also taking wickets now and then.

Yorkshire Predicted Playing XI:

Adam Lyth, Dawid Malan, James Wharton, Shan Masood (c), Jonathan Tattersall (wk), Matthew Revis, Jordan Thompson, David Wiese, Ben Mike, Dominic Bess, Jafer Chohan

Yorkshire Actual Playing XI:

Shan Masood, Jafer Chohan, Dom Bess, Adam Lyth, James Wharton, Jonathan Tattersall, Dawid Malan, Jordan Thompson, David Wiese, Matthew Revis, Ben Mike

Leicestershire Preview

Leicestershire’s train wreck of a season got some boost when they won their last game against Durham on June 9. Rishi Patel’s sparkling 104 off 49 balls helped them chase a target of 173 with relative ease at Grace Road and earn a much-needed win. Patel is now their leading run-getter this year, with 288 runs in 8 innings at a strike rate of 130.85. 

Captain Colin Ackermann (291 runs in the last 9 matches at an average of 48.50) hasn’t had the greatest of seasons, but we are expecting an impactful knock from him in this game. Lewis Hill has played just four matches this season, but has already left an impression, scoring 123 runs at an average of 41 and a strike rate of 130.85. The opener remained unbeaten on 54 off 41 balls in the chase against Durham.

Slow left-arm spinner Callum Parkinson (10 wickets in 8 matches at an economy of 7.09) has been the most successful bowler for Leicestershire in the 2023 Blast, along with left-arm quick Josh Hull (6 wickets in 4 matches at an economy of 8.57). Hull has managed to keep batters quiet even on these flat wickets with his tight lines, and will be quite handy on this pitch.

Leicestershire Predicted Playing XI:

Nick Welch, Lewis Hill (wk), Rishi Patel, Colin Ackermann (c), Louis Kimber, Wiaan Mulder, Rehan Ahmed, Callum Parkinson, Tom Scriven, Matt Salisbury, Josh Hull

Leicestershire Actual Playing XI:

Naveen ul Haq, Callum Parkinson, Colin Ackermann, Wiaan Mulder, Nick Welch, Harry Swindells, Louis Kimber, Josh Hull, Rishi Patel, MIchael Finan, Rehan Ahmed

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The surface at the Headingley is a belter. Batters have a great time here in T20 cricket as the ball comes on nicely to the bat. Bowlers will be punished heavily if they miss the mark on this track. However, seamers are expected to get some movement early on.

The weather in Headingley during the game will be warm but clear.

Venue Details

The average first innings score at Headingley in the T20 Blast is 164. The highest total posted here is a colossal 260-4 by Yorkshire versus Northamptonshire in 2017. This year, there have already been four totals above 190 here. The team batting first in this match must look to set a target of around 200 runs.

Toss: To Bat

Out of the four matches played at Headingley this season, three have been won by the team batting first. The team winning the toss in this match is expected to take first strike.