-
-
Sangha added to Phoenix XI
-
Runs may be hard to come by
Southern Brave v Birmingham Phoenix
Tuesday 15 August, 18:30
TV: Live on Sky Sports
Southern Brave v Birmingham Phoenix team news
Southern Brave are in the play-off race after hammering Welsh Fire last time out. They bowled them out for just 87 with Tymal Mills taking four wickets and George Garton three.
There's still no Chris Jordan so tearaway pacer Matt Fisher is included. Jordan picked up a niggle in the previous match versus Fire but was expected to be back by now.
Probable XI: Allen, Conway, Vince, Du Plooy, Weatherley, Ahmed, David, Fuller, Garton, C Overton, FIsher, Mills
Phoenix got their first win of the competition but are essentially playing knockout cricket if they are to make the top three from here. Chris Woakes is a major boost returning to the XI after Ashes duty.
There are issues, though. The form of Will Smeed is a concern and it's far from ideal playing Chris Benjamin as a specialist batter. Shadab Khan has left to be replaced by Aussie leggie Tanveer Sangha.
Probable XI: Smeed, Duckett, Smith, Moeen, Livingstone, Mousley, Howell, Woakes, Milne, Sangha, Richardson
Southern Brave v Birmingham Phoenix pitch report
Four of the first-innings in 11 games at the Ageas Bowl have busted 150 or more and as a result only four scores have been defended. Superchargers smashed 201, though in the previous game. Neither batting unit is particularly convincing but Phoenix's addition of Woakes may make them more appealing to stifle Brave on a par line.
Southern Brave v Birmingham Phoenix match odds
This is a choice affair with Brave 1.9720/21 and Phoenix 2.021/1. The match odds are about right and this could well be extremely tight.
The toss could be the crucial factor and we'd be loathe to be on the team batting first. It shouldn't be forgotten that although Phoenix bristle with power they've only shown it once in the tournament so far, admittedly against the leaders Oval.
They continue to have issues against spin bowling. Nathan Sowter had tied them down with two wickets before they were able to release the shackles.
Southern Brave v Birmingham Phoenix player bets
Rehan Ahmed is 3/13.95 for top Brave bowler and with spin an issue for Phoenix that has appeal. The value on his top-bat price has collapsed, however. He was 100/1101.00 not so ong ago and he's now been chopped to 16/117.00. Craig Overton remains underrated at the former price so we will keep a little faith on a potentially tricky batting pitch.
Devon Conway and Ben Duckett have been boosted to 16/54.20 and 7/24.40 respectively for top team bat. Liam Livingstone and Moeen Ali look chunky at 4/14.80 and 7/17.80 respectively.