*THE HUNDRED MENS COMPETITION MATCH 18- NORTHERN SUPERCHARGERS VS MANCHESTER ORIGINALS 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
Manchester Originals (MO) despite Buttler being in blazing form have been brittle and the results have to show for it. Two losses in four games with only a single win is poor and the Originals would be keen on making things right against the Superchargers now who have had a pretty successful start to their campaign with 5 points under their belt, including a massive 69 run win versus the Braves. In a rather settled unit, the return of form for Banton who blasted away with a 43 ball 81 would be happily taken. His knock comprised of 7 fours and 5 massive sixes and it was an absolute treat to the eyes. With him back in the mix and the right rhythm, we could see the Superchargers take the field with even more energy and passion.
The Originals last game slipped to a 94 margin defeat, which is a hard pill to take specially in a short form like this. Barring Overton in the lower order, all struggled to get going and it was a rather poor show from the batting order as they slid through and made just 92. The opposition would be excited to exploit this weakness and take advantage of their devasting and morale deflating loss the other day.
*MANCHESTER ORIGINALS PROBABLE XI:*
Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Laurie Evans, Max Holden, Ashton Turner, Paul Walter, Jamie Overton, Usama Mir, Tom Hartley, Joshua Little, Richard Gleeson
Gleason, who deals with rockets and bowls pacey deliveries will be an exciting one to watch. He has the knack of rattling the batters out with raw pace and has been doing it for some time now. The Superchargers-batting order is a strong one and somebody of his caliber would be needed to put a wrap on the knuckles and give the MO a head start. Teams would like to bowl first here and Gleeson could really make use of the flat pitch at Leeds.
Philip Salt loves to play in an attacking fashion and has the intent to score quickly and get off the blocks. However hurdles have come his way this time and he hasn’t found his groove. With Manchester needing him now, more than ever, it’s finally time to see the young lad step up and cash in on this flat deck to trouble the Superchargers who’re eyeing a third win now.
*NORTHERN SUPERCHARGERS PROBABLE XI:*
Tom Banton (wk), Matthew Short, Harry Brook, Adam Hose, Saif Zaib, Brydon Carse, David Wiese, Wayne Parnell (c), Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, Callum Parkinson
Parnell has led with confidence and from the front with a good record to show for. The left-arm seamer is the joint second-highest wicket taker of the season so far with seven wickets to his name from four matches at an average of 13.42 and an economy of 8.05. Parnell would be eager to bowl his team to victory in the upcoming fixture and help them register their third win of the season.
In a game where run scoring could be an easy task, the leg spin of Adil Rashid who has always been a wily pick could be crucial and he could really stop the run flow and bring back some stability into the bowling. The bowling could be torn apart and that is exactly where Rashid would look to stop his English captain and co.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR SUPERCHARGERS:*
Highest run getter- Harry Brook/Tom Banton
Highest wicket taker- Adil Rashid/Reece Topley/Wayne Parnell
*FOR MANCHESTER:*
Highest run getter- Jos Buttler/Laurie Evans
Highest wicket taker- Richard Gleason/Usama Mir
*FOR THE GAME:*
Superchargers to win