Match Preview: Hampshire v Sussex Sharks - Royal London One-Day Cup

After picking up a valuable two points with victory against Surrey at the Oval on Tuesday, Hampshire take on Sussex Sharks at the The Ageas Bowl on Thursday – the first instalment of El Clasicoast action this season – knowing that a win would take them close to securing qualification for the Royal London One-Day Cup knockout stages.

Hampshire Squad:

A 13-man squad has been named for Thursday’s 50-over contest with Brad Taylor and Mason Crane included alongside 10 of the final XI that lined-up at Chelmsford on Sunday.

Joe Weatherley is also added with captain James Vince away on international duty with England – Sam Northeast will lead the side in his absence.

Liam Dawson continued his fantastic form so far this campaign against Surrey on Tuesday, striking a sublime century before following up with 2-39 with the ball, to see him move up to second in the competition’s MVP ladder with two group games remaining. He’ll be hoping to continue his good run with both bat and ball against the Sharks.

The Opposition:

Sussex Sharks have been in good form so far during this year’s One-Day Cup, picking up four wins in their five matches so far, including a thrilling one-wicket win over Essex Eagles in their last fixture.

Ben Brown’s side’s only defeat of the campaign came against second-placed Somerset, with Luke Wright key to their success with the bat so far. The experienced top-order hitter has totalled 288 runs in his last four fixture, including a destructive 166 against Middlesex last week, and he’ll no doubt be the most prized wicket for Hampshire’s bowling attack on Thursday,

Overseas left-arm seamer Mir Hamza has proved to be the Sharks’ biggest threat with the ball, his 13 wickets coming at just 20 runs apiece so far, including a haul of 4-43 against Surrey in their competition curtain-raiser last month.

Did You Know?

• Hampshire are unbeaten in the last six List A fixtures against Sussex Sharks.
• Liam Dawson smashed an unbeaten 74 before taking 6-47 with the ball the last time Hampshire played Sussex Sharks in a List A match at the The Ageas Bowl

Full Hampshire Squad:

Coverage:

A live stream, ball-by-ball coverage and highlights of Thursday’s match will be available at ageasbowl.com whilst match updates will be available via the Hampshire Cricket social media channels.

There will be ball-by-ball commentary available on BBC Radio Solent online at bbc.co.uk.

Weather Forecast:

Please follow the link for the latest weather forecast for The Ageas Bowl: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcp19y6c9

Tickets:

Tickets for Hampshire’s 50-over match against Sussex Sharks at the The Ageas Bowl can be purchased online via the link below, over the phone on 0844 847 1863, or by visiting the The Ageas Bowl’s Ticketing & Membership Office via normal working hours.