Yorkshire vs Bears Prediction: Hain can lead visiting charge to victory

Expectations were high for Birmingham Bears in the T20 Blast this season but they have struggled somewhat in the early going, winning just two of their first five games. 

One of those victories came against Yorkshire recently though and they will be looking to do the double over these opponents, who have an identical record after five games. Below you can find my Yorkshire vs Bears predictions. 

Team news

Yorkshire’s Jonny Bairstow and Jordan Thompson are nearing returns from respective calf and side injuries but this game is likely to come too soon while the Bears are expected to field a similar side to the one that lost to Northamptonshire on Wednesday.

Yorkshire vs Bears Odds

Birmingham Bears are the favourites for this clash, currently priced up at 8/11 while Yorkshire are available at 11/10.

Dawid Malan is 2/1 favourite to be Yorkshire’s top batter, while Sam Hain is 11/4 to lead the way in the same department for the Bears.

Cricket Odds

Bears to win @ 8/11

Birmingham Bears were edged out by Northamptonshire on Wednesday night but the Steelbacks have been imperious in the group stages of this year’s T20 Blast, winning all six games.

There is no shame in that 10-run defeat and they had beaten Yorkshire and Derbyshire before that. The visitors topped the North Group last season and should be able to get the better of Yorkshire in conditions that should suit the away team.

Headingley has benefitted big hitters, with first-innings totals of 237 and 213 in the two games at the ground so far this term.

With Jonny Bairstow and Jordan Thompson still injured, the Bears seem to have the advantage in that department with Alex Davies, Tom Latham, Dan Mousley, Sam Hain and Moeen Ali a formidable top five.

The Bears have also typically had the advantage over these opponents in recent years, winning seven of the last eight head-to-heads, and they are fancied to extend that run with another success in this clash.

Sam Hain over 25.5 runs @ 5/6

Sam Hain has been crucial to the Bears’ efforts in the T20 Blast this season and on a sound batting surface, he looks worth siding with to reap the rewards again.

The 29-year-old is averaging 61 from five innings in this competition this season and the only blot on his copy book was a knock of 2 against Northamptonshire last time out.

Back Hain to bounce back from that disappointment with a score of at least 26 at Headingley in this one.

Find more Cricket Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights