Vitality T20 Blast Odds: 9/1 four-fold for the quarter-final action
We're into the Quarter-Final's stage in the Vitality Blast and we've asked our resident cricket guru Adam Roberts to pick out his four winners from the last eight and see who will progress to finals day. The acca pays just over 9/1 with William Hill using their acca boost.
Surrey vs. Yorkshire - Surrey to win
Much as it pains me to write this as the office Yorkshireman, but I can't see the Vikings winning this one. Yorkshire have limped into the quarter-finals and are without Captain David Willey as well as Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, David Malan, Harry Brook and Adil Rashid for this crucial game. They have looked light in the bowling department and are without the majority of their key batsmen. So much will rest on openers Adam Lyth and Finn Allen to get them off to a flyer.
Surrey are without some of their own stars for this one, including Captain Chris Jordan, Jason Roy, Sam Curran and Reece Topley but still look to have a stronger squad with Ollie Pope returning in time for contention. They have struggled towards the back end of the group stages, having qualified early but they are formidable at the Oval, where they remain unbeaten.
Birmingham Bears vs. Hampshire Hawks - Birmingham to win
Next up and we're taking the top of the North section Bears to beat the Hawks at Edgbaston, although I can see this one being very close. Hampshire had a poor start to their campaign but finished extremely strongly, with Captain James Vince the current top run-scorer in the Blast.
Birmingham can secure home advantage for the rest of the competition if they win this one, with the finals day being held at Edgbaston on the 16th July. The Bears lack the stars of some other teams but have a well rounded team who have all shown up at various times. They have also not lost any players to the England T20 squad so are at full strength.
Lancashire Lightning vs. Essex Eagles - Essex to win
This was definitely the toughest selection to pick and had my adopted home town county been at full strength, I would have taken the Lightning for the win. However, they are missing new England Captain Jos Buttler as well as opener Phil Salt, powerhouse Liam Livingstone, spin king Matt Parkinson and paceman Richard Gleeson. They still possess some serious firepower in Dane Vilas and Tim David who will need to fire for them to have any chance.
Essex are at full strength and will be relying on their big two players, Dan Lawrence with the bat and veteran Simon Harmer with the ball, to bring them to another finals day.
Somerset vs. Derbyshire Falcons - Somerset to win
Somerset look strong in this match up , courtesy of South African Rilee Rossouw being backed up by the ultra talented Tom Banton, who is due a score. Craig Overton will also be back from England duty to provide some firepower with the ball alongside Peter Siddle.
Derbyshire have been impressive throughout the blast but I'm not sure they have enough options with the ball to progress in this one.
