*THE HUNDRED MENS COMPETITION- NORTHERN SUPERCHARGERS VS TRENT ROCKETS 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
The Trent rockets kicked off BBL in some style, winning an edge of a seat thriller and coming on top of the southern brave. However, post that, their players haven’t really gotten any game time on field with the weather playing it’s tricks and not being merciful on this competition. They will step out in order to get back to back wins, only this time against the Superchargers.
The Superchargers have somewhat a similar story only that it goes the other way round with their first game being a washout and the second one resulting in a big Superchargers win as they ended up thrashing the Braves with a deficit of 60 runs still left in the bank. The top three of NS were at their sensational best, with one of the openers and their No3 playing at a strike rate of over 200- smashing everybody around the park and not sparing anybody. Once the onslaught ended, Topley wrecked havoc with the white cherry in hand as he casually picked up three key wickets to dent the chase and wrap up a comfort win. They would ride upon the momemtum and look to win back to back.
*NORTHERN SUPERCHARGERS PROBABLE XI:*
Matthew Short, Tom Banton (wk), Harry Brook, Adam Hose, Saif Zaib, David Wiese, Brydon Carse, Wayne Parnell (c), Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, Callum Parkinson
Parnell and Topley with the new ball regardless of the surface are a threat. They look to bring it in and trouble the batters with their away swing as well. While Topley was clinical the other day, Parnell kept it tight and managed to create doubts in the minds of batters. They would be looking forward to operating in tandem again and entertaining duly.
If you were not entertained and overly joyed by the top 3 of Superchargers creating carnage, then you dislike cricket. It was by far the most beautiful Hundred moment where the highest total was reached where the newcomer Brook (from the Ashes 2023) also came in and hardly took any time and come in and conquer the world. What we saw from Short there was nothing short of sensational- he took maximum advantage of a good track at hand and ended up with 4 big sixes to support it with 8 fours. If these three click again, it is already game over for the Rockets.
*TRENT ROCKETS PROBABLE XI:*
Dawid Malan, Alex Hales, Tom Kohler-Cadmore (wk), Colin Munro, Sam Hain, Lewis Gregory (c), Imad Wasim, Daniel Sams, Matthew Carter, Luke Wood, Sam Cook
Imad Wasim, the Pakistani left armer spinner when on song simply emits a different kind of light. One where he’s involved so much into the game that you forget he isn’t the captain. In the opener which was an enthralling contest, he chipped in with 15 balls and got rid of two batters and also played a run a ball knock with the bat to solidify his strengthened position as an allrounder.
Alex Hales announced his retirement from internationals recently and would be raring to embrace his league life where he is going from one league to another, making it count as he demolishes bowling lineups. Though he was dismissed for a mere 9 in the opener, I expect things much superior in the times to come. With internationals behind him now, he can dream of a stellar Hundred starting from tomorrow on.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR SUPERCHARGERS:*
Highest run getter- Matthew Short/Harry Brook
Highest wicket taker- Reece Topley
*FOR ROCKETS:*
Highest run getter- Alex Hales/Sam Hain/Colin Munro
Highest wicket taker- Luke Wood/Imad Wasim
*FOR THE GAME:*
The Northern Superchargers to claim victory.