Durham vs Hampshire Prediction: Sowter to lead home side to success

Durham and Hampshire meet in the quarter-finals of the Vitality T20 Blast on Friday (18:30 BST, Sky Sports Cricket), with the hosts at the Riverside Ground chasing a record-equalling fourth title. The visitors, meanwhile, are seeking their first success in the competition since its inauguration in 2003.

Hampshire won seven of their 14 league-stage matches, while Durham have a slight edge on that front with eight victories. Below are my Hampshire vs Durham predictions, supported by the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Durham are still without Brydon Carse, who was injured for the first part of the Blast season and, since returning to fitness, has been on international duty with England.

The Hampshire Hawks are boosted by the return of three key players ahead of this quarter-final.

Liam Dawson is available after a break from international duty, while Australians Chris Lynn and Hilton Cartwright also come back into the side. All three could prove decisive as Hampshire aim for an 11th Finals Day appearance.

Durham vs Hampshire Odds

Hampshire are marginal favourites, priced at 4/5, while hosts Durham are available at 1/1.

David Bedingham and Alex Lees are joint 3/1 favourites to be Durham’s top batter, with James Vince 5/2 to lead the way for Hampshire.

Hampshire are 10/11 favourites to hit the most sixes, with Durham priced at 6/5.

Cricket Odds

Chris Lynn over 21.5 runs @ 5/6

Chris Lynn returns to Hampshire’s T20 Blast side for just the second time this season and made a big impact in his only appearance so far, scoring 51 in a win over Sussex – one of only three defeats suffered by the Sharks.

The Australian has a superb record in this competition. In 2022, he averaged 64.50 with a high score of 113, while in 2023, he made 364 runs at an average of 30.33, including a century.

Given his pedigree, Lynn looks a strong candidate to surpass 21.5 runs in this clash.

Nathan Sowter top Durham bowler @ 7/2

Key spinner Nathan Sowter has just signed a new contract with Durham, and that confidence boost could see him at his best in the knockout stages.

He has taken 14 wickets in this year’s competition at an economy rate of 7.65, while in the 2023 season, he set a club record with 24 wickets. He backed that up with 19 in 2024, underlining his consistency.

Sowter also impressed in this year’s Hundred final, taking three wickets in seven balls for the Oval Invincibles as they secured a third consecutive title.

His ability to strike in the middle overs makes him a strong contender to be Durham’s top bowler in this quarter-final.

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