Hampshire vs Durham, County Championship One, Today Match Prediction

HAM vs DUR Match Prediction & Analysis

This looks set to be a very interesting game between two progressive counties in this round of fixtures as both Hampshire and Durham target the top four places in the division.

When the teams last met in this format, they played out a draw across four days in Southampton on a pitch which produced scores of 503 all out, 62/2 and 432 all out.

Once again, the batters are expected to be on top, particularly across the opening two days when the conditions are set to be perfect for batting and will make bowling hot and hard work!

This fixture won't make or break the season for either team but a win will put one of them in a very strong position going into the next round of games in the county championship.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Hampshire Preview

After having the better of the game against Somerset in their last game, Hampshire were unable to press their claims in the third innings of the game and had to settle for their second draw in a row.

The new ball did a bit in that game and that will mean that the top order of Mark Stoneman, Fletcha Middleton and Nick Gubbins will need to be watchful when they first come to the crease. 

Gubbins, Tom Prest and Liam Dawson were all able to take advantage of the openers blunting the new ball against Somerset and Stoneman and Middleton will be charged with doing the same again in this match,

With the ball, it was Brad Wheal and James Fuller who both took four wickets in the first innings of the game with the spin of Liam Dawson set to be crucial towards the end of this fixture.

Hampshire Predicted Playing XI:

Mark Stoneman, Fletcha Middleton, Nick Gubbins, Tom Prest, Liam Dawson, Ben Brown (c) (wk), Brett Hampton, James Fuller, Toby Albert, Kyle Abbott, Brad Wheal

Durham Preview

Despite giving up a first innings deficit away at Worcester in their last game, Durham showed plenty of character to come through and win a very low-scoring encounter across two days by six wickets.

In conditions which are set to be the complete opposite in Southampton, Durham will need a different approach to come out on top once again but that is not to say that they do not have the players or the attitude to do so.

After falling to 58/6 in their first innings in Worcester, it was again opener Ben McKinney who managed to blunt the bowlers and make sufficient runs for Durham and he is starting to build a glowing reputation.

With the ball, Jake Ball took 5/47 in the first innings and 2/27 in the second with Ben Raine (4/20) and Codi Yusuf (4/26) showing their worth in the third innings of the game.

Durham have talent and won't be arriving on the south coast just to make up the numbers!

Durham Predicted Playing XI:

Alex Lees (c), Ben McKinney, Will Rhodes, Colin Ackermann, Ollie Robinson (wk), Jack Blatherwick, Graham Clark, George Drissell, Ben Raine, Codi Yusuf, Jake Ball

Weather Conditions

The temperature will be up at 24 degrees on Friday before rain is forecast on Saturday and Monday. Sunday will be a lot colder but there should be enough time for one of the teams to force a result in Southampton.

HAM vs DUR Pitch Report

This is a good batting wicket in Southampton and Durham will require a different set of skills to come out on top compared to last week. That said, the conditions could change, particularly overhead, over the final three days to make bowling much easier!

Toss: To Bat

Batting conditions are likely to be at their best on day one in Southampton before they slowly deteriorate so we are backing both captains to choose to bat first in this game.