Match Preview: Hampshire Hawks v Middlesex, Vitality Blast

Hampshire Hawks v Middlesex
Vitality Blast (South Group)
Friday 14th June 2024 (7pm Start)
Utilita Bowl

Hampshire Hawks return to Utilita Bowl to take on Middlesex in the Vitality Blast on Friday, in the second part of a T20 double-header.

Southern Vipers continue their Charlotte Edwards Cup defence against Western Storm earlier in the day.

After Thursday's match against Glamorgan was abandoned without a ball being bowled, the Hawks will be looking to bounce back from the defeat they suffered against Somerset the last time they played.

Middlesex have endured a difficult start to their Vitality Blast campaign and currently sit ninth in the South Group with just one win form their six matches so far.

James Vince's side won both matches against Middlesex in last year's competition, including an eight-wicket victory at home.

Hawks Squad

Hampshire Hawks have named a 14-player squad for the match against Middlesex.

The squad has been unchanged since the win over Kent Spitfires. Joe Weatherley (124) leads the way with runs scored, while Chris Wood and Michael Neser top the Hawks' wickets rankings with six so far.

Ali Orr (arm) and Tom Prest (shoulder) remain the only absentees.

Full Hampshire Squad

Middlesex

Captain: Stephen Eskinazi

Middlesex have only ever been to Edgbaston for Finals Day once – when they went on to win the 2008 competition. Since then, the Seaxes have only ever qualified for the quarter-final on two occasions and finished bottom of the South Group in 2023, winning just three games. They have started 2024 in similar form, with just one with from their opening six.

However, there is still some talent in the squad with the likes of Stephen Eskinazi, Max Holden and Ryan Higgins, while new signing Leus du Plooy is a very useful addition across all formats. Tom Helm and Blake Cullen lead the bowling attack, with the spin of Luke Hollman also accounting for nine wickets so far in the competition. 19-year-old Noah Cornwell has impressed since making his professional debut against Kent Spitfires in their first match and he was also included in the most recent England Men Under-19's squad.

2024 Season In Numbers

• 9th in South Group
• Form (most recent first): LLWLL
• Leading run scorer: Max Holden (153)
• Leading wicket taker: Luke Hollman (9)

Head-to-Head

Hampshire's record in Vitality Blast v Middlesex

P: 38, W: 23, L: 14, NR: 1, A: 2

Last 5 meetings:

• June 6 2023 | Radlett | South Group | Hampshire won by five runs
• May 26 2023 | The Ageas Bowl | South Group | Hampshire won by eight wickets
• June 7 2022 | Radlett | South Group | Hampshire won by nine wickets
• May 27 2022 | The Ageas Bowl | South Group | Middlesex won by 10 runs
• June 15 2021 | Radlett | South Group | Middlesex won by three wickets

Tickets

Tickets for the T20 double-header are available via the link below, while they’ll also be available on the gate on Friday.

Gates open prior to the Southern Vipers match at 2pm.

Click here to buy tickets.

To access match tickets bought online and get into Utilita Bowl on Friday, fans will need to have downloaded the free Hampshire Cricket App.

Information on how to download the App and access match tickets – as well as how to forward them onto family and friends – can be found in our Visitor Guide, available via the link below.

Visitor Guide

For information on what to expect at Utilita Bowl during Friday’s match please check out our Visitor Guide, available below.

Click here to view our Visitor Guide.

Coverage

A live stream will be available for the match and a link to this stream will be available in the free-to-download Hampshire Cricket App and at www.utilitabowl.com/cricket.

Both the Hampshire Cricket App and www.utilitabowl.com/cricket will also host a live match centre with scorecard, statistics and insight available throughout the match.

Weather Forecast

Please follow the link to view the latest weather forecast for Utilita Bowl: https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/6620360