Match Preview: Hampshire v Middlesex & Essex Eagles v Hampshire

Hampshire will be looking to kickstart their Vitality Blast campaign this week when they take on Middlesex on Friday at the The Ageas Bowl, before travelling to Chelmsford to face Essex Eagles on Saturday.

Hampshire Squad:

A 15-man squad has been named for this week’s back-to-back contests, with Fidel Edwards included in a Blast squad for the first time this year after returning from his Global T20 commitments in Canada.

Liam Dawson will be looking to continue his good form after his superb 75* in last week’s narrow loss against Kent Spitfires, whilst Ryan Stevenson is also in contention for selection once again after impressing in his first T20 appearance for James Vince’s side in almost two years last Friday.

The Opposition:

Middlesex

Middlesex have had a mixed start to this year’s Vitality Blast campaign and will be searching for an important victory on Friday, having picked up one victory and two losses from their three fixtures so far.

England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan has been made available by the ECB and will lead the visitors, whilst star overseas signings Dwayne Bravo and Ashton Agar have given a fresh-faced look to his side’s line-up this year.

England batsman Dawid Malan and Ireland’s Paul Stirling also combine in a potentially fiery top-order, with Steven Finn and Toby Roland Jones providing an injection of pace into their bowling unit, particularly in the opening powerplay.

Essex Eagles

Essex Eagles haven’t had the strongest start to the 2018 Vitality Blast competition, having been defeated in three of their first four fixtures so far this year.

Ryan ten Doeschate’s side will be looking to bounce back on home turf this week, and they’ll be hoping for contributions from Australian overseas Adam Zampa and New Zealand international Neil Wagner in particular with the ball. The ever-dangerous Ravi Bopara, Varun Chopra and the returning Adam Wheater provide the main threat in the hosts’ batting line-up, alongside ten Doeschate.

Did You Know?

• Hampshire have won nine of the last 12 T20 matches against Middlesex.
• James Vince has scored 450 T20 career runs against Middlesex, the most against any opposition he has faced in the Blast.
• Liam Dawson averages just 19.58 in T20 matches against Essex Eagles, claiming 12 wickets in 30 overs bowled.

Full Hampshire Squad

Coverage

Hampshire Cricket's social media channels will provide updates throughout both match but ball-by-ball coverage and match highlights can be found at ageasbowl.com/cricket.

BBC Radio Solent offers ball-by-ball commentary online at bbc.co.uk.

Saturday’s fixture at Chelmsford will also be shown live on Sky Sports Cricket.

Weather Forecast:

Please follow the link for the latest weather forecast for the The Ageas Bowl: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gcp185f25

Please follow the link for the latest weather forecast for Chelmsford: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/map/u10q6cgzm

Tickets:

Tickets for Friday’s match against Middlesex and Hampshire’s other Vitality Blast matches at The Ageas Bowl can be purchased online via the link at the top of the page, over the phone 0844 847 1863, or by visiting the The Ageas Bowl’s Ticketing & Membership Office via normal working hours.