Manchester Originals v Birmingham Phoenix: Phoenix may fear spin threat

• Originals favourites to get the win

• Hosts to rely on spin

• Phoenix team news key

Manchester Originals v Birminbgham Phoenix
Monday 7 August, 18:00
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Manchester Originals v Birmingham Phoenix team news

Originals are having a frustrating time. They got the raw end of the weather in Cardiff and then rain washed out their match against Spirit which they were dominating. Phil Salt, Jos Buttler and Max Holden had smashed their way to 138-5 off 80 balls in a 90-ball match.

They have switched Richard Gleeson in for Josh Tongue with the ball. Leggie Usama Mir could be crucial if the rain could stay away. The forecast suggests it will

Probable XI: Salt, Buttler, Holden, Evans, Walter, Turner, J Overton, Usama, Hartley, Little, Gleeson

Birmingham have had two washouts which has bought them valuable time to get the likes of Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone fit. It is to the detriment of the tournament that fans and veiwers are completely in the dark as to the possible team changes.

If Moeen and Livingstone play they are one of the best balanced teams in the tournament. If they don't, they're one of the worst playing two wicketkeepers who may not be up to the batting role. We can be pretty sure that Chris Woakes is not fit.

Possible XI: Smeed, Duckett, Livingstone, Moeen, Smith, Shadab, Mousley, Howell, Milne, Richardson, Helm

Manchester Originals v Birmingham Phoenix pitch report

Old Trafford hasn't seen huge scores in the seven completed games played there. More than 145 was busted in three of the first-innings. Originals would have gone past that in ten balls fewer before the rain, however, against Spirit. Given the uncertainty of the Phoenix XI, Originals are more tempting to bust a par line. They will go hard regardless.

Manchester Originals v Birmingham Phoenix match odds

Originals are 1.845/6 with Phoenix 2.0811/10. We would expect the latter to drift to around 2.1011/10 once the market settles.

However, team news is everything. If Moeen and Livingstone play this is a choice affair. If they don't, Originals probably shorten up to the 1.758/11 region.

On the head-to-head Originals have handed out two thumpings. They have bowled out Phoenix for 75 and 87 with spinners Tom Hartley and Callum Parkinson taking four wickets in either game.

Manchester Originals v Birmingham Phoenix player bets

Buttler is 2/13.00 with Sportsbook for back-to-back top bats but Holden stands out at 11/26.50 for a No 3. Livingstone is 11/43.75 jolly for Phoenix.

Given Hartley's haul the spinner catches the eye as a rag at 9/25.50 for top originals bowler. Usama is also worth noting at 7/24.50 as Originals will clearly believe Phoenix are weak against spin. The pair are 16/117.00 and 18/119.00 for man of the match.