We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report
In the only game played at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester, 323 runs were scored and only 4 wickets fell in both the innings. Incidentally, openers from both sides ended up getting a half-century.
Time: 13 August, 7.00 PM IST
Teams
Probable XI for Manchester: Jos Buttler (c), Philip Salt (wk), Wayne Madsen, Laurie Evans, Andre Russell, Paul Walter, Tristan Stubbs, Sean Abbott, Tom Hartley, Fred Klaassen, Matthew Parkinson
Probable XI for Trent: Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Colin Munro, Tom Kohler-Cadmore (wk), Joe Root, Lewis Gregory (c), Samit Patel, Daniel Sams, Luke Wood, Luke Fletcher, Tabraiz Shamsi
Also Read:
Birmingham vs Northern fantasy cricket tips
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Power Players
By smashing 58 off 41 in the opening game and 43 off 27 in the second, Alex Hales has played an integral part in helping Trent win both matches. While he is yet to go ballistic in the tournament, his current form augurs well for his team.
Daniel Sams too has contributed in a big way for his side by bagging 3 wickets in both games. Before coming into the tournament, he also took consecutive three-wicket hauls in the English T20 League.
Just when there were question marks about his form, Dawid Malan silenced his critics by blasting a match-winning 88 off 49 balls against Northern. He also generated bonus fantasy points by hitting 11 fours and 3 sixes.
Smart Picks
Tabraiz Shamsi might have gone wicketless in the only game he played, but the nature of the format, coupled with his style of bowling, will always keep him in the hunt. Ever since he set foot on the English soil, he has taken 17 wickets in 9 games.
Joe Root’s services with the bat weren’t required against Northern. However, against Birmingham, he accumulated 34 runs off 26 balls by playing smart cricket. This attribute, regardless of the format, helps immensely in fantasy cricket. He has also pouched 4 catches.
Samit Patel has quietly contributed handy fantasy points by taking 3 wickets in 2 matches. While he is yet to wield his willow in this tournament, he certainly has the ability to make it count when the need arises.
Matthew Parkinson could be a dark horse in fantasy leagues. Besides picking a wicket in both games, he also ended up with 20 wickets in 14 English T20 League games.
Another valuable pick could be Paul Walter, who smashed a 10-ball 23 against Northern and then dismissed London’s Ravi Bopara and Eoin Morgan in the previous game.
Game Changers
After firing in the first match, both Jos Buttler (59 off 41) and Andre Russell (29 off 20 and 1 wicket), couldn’t carry on the momentum into the second one. That said, these two are very much capable of pulling Manchester from the rut.
Match Preview
Trent have had an impressive run thus far with two wins in as many matches. On the other hand, Manchester have lost both their games. However, not much separates the two sides when it comes to firepower and ability. Moreover, given the nature of the format, any team can come out all guns blazing.