Nottinghamshire vs Essex 1st Quarter-Final Prediction

If Essex Bat First

Predicted Score: Around 160

Since Westley, Zaidi and captain Bopara have been their best batsmen, most of the runs should be expected to come from their middle order. Westley is the team's leading run-scorer, Zaidi will be coming with 59 in the last match and Bopara has done a fairly decent job as a finisher down the order. Lawrence too has batted well in the last three matches, but Westley, Zaidi and Bopara are going to be the key in Essex's chances of getting 160 and beyond.

Harry Gurney seems to be the only fast bowler from Nottinghamshire who can trouble the Essex batsmen. He has taken 14 wickets in the tournament and he could replace Fletcher who went for plenty in the last match against Leicestershire. Samit Patel and Imran Tahir will be in charge of the spin department and they will look to apply pressure from both ends. Essex may have to face a few difficulties in reaching the predicted score if these three bowlers keep hitting the right areas.

Our Prediction

Nottinghamshire and Essex will be going up against each other for the very first time in the Natwest T20 Blast. The fact that these two sides have never met before will make this contest even more interesting. Essex have reached the quarter-finals two times before (in 2014 and 2015) while Nottinghamshire made it to the quarter-finals in 2014.

Essex have never played at the Trent Bridge and this could give an advantage to Nottinghamshire who won four of their five league matches at this ground this year. Also, the latter will be coming into this match on the back of eight successive wins from the group stage.

Though Essex have quality players in their side and have done well to make their third consecutive appearance in the quarter-finals of the Natwest T20 Blast, we feel that Nottinghamshire have a slightly better chance to win this match and advance to the semi-finals.