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Lancashire hope lightning doesn’t strike twice in T20 quarter-final

| 26.07.2010

The second instalment of the Twenty20 quarter-finals takes place today with Lancashire Lightning travelling to face the Essex Eagles and Somerset Sabres hosting Northamptonshire Steelbacks.

Lancashire are evens to come out on top against an Essex side (8/11 to win) who finished second in the South Division, while Somerset who finished top of that league are 2/5 to beat a Northamptonshire side (7/4) who have lost six times in the competition already.

Lancashire, who finished third in the North Division last week with nine wins from 16 matches, are out to avenge last year’s final-eight defeat to Somerset, when bad weather meant a bowl-off was all that could take place.

Coach Peter Moores said: “The bowl-out was frustrating for everyone because we didn’t play a game.”

Such an inspiration could prove decisive in what is sure to be a tight game, which starts at 7.40pm, given each side lost six times during the league phase.

Lancashire don’t have Australian Simon Katich available through injury but will hope home-grown Tom Smith, who has an T20 average of 31.73, can get the runs. He’s 5/6 to get more runs than England opener Alastair Cook, if given a +0.5 handicap.

Somerset have pedigree in this version of the game and should have too much for Northamptonshire in the 4.50pm match.

With Marcus Trescothick in frightening form (he hit a 13-ball half century earlier this summer) it’s worth taking him at 5/6 to outscore Chaminda Vaas, even with a -4.5 handicap.

This is when T20 really earns its keep – expect big-hitting and lots of wickets. See the full Twenty20 quarter-finals betting market.

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Author

Richard Anderson