CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK | MATCH 18 (ECC21.090) ENGLAND XI (ENG XI) v BELGIUM (BEL) 1100 GMT | 1300 CET | 1630 IST
ENG XI Group Stage Timeline: W W W W L W W W W W (Avg Score For 128, Avg Score Against 91)
ENG XI Championship Week Timeline: W W L W W (Avg Score For 140, Avg Score Against 102)
BEL Group StageTimeline: W W W W L W L L W W (Avg Score For 134, Avg Score Against 119)
BEL Championship Week Timeline: W W W L L (Avg Score For 139, Avg Score Against 121)
ENGLAND XI (ENG XI)
Captain: Dan Lincoln
Wicketkeeper: Dan Lincoln, Alex Mellor
Projected Top Four: Dan Lincoln, Harrison Ward, Tom Bevan, Alex Mellor
Projected Opening Bowlers: Zum Ahktar, Andy Rishton, Rich Edwards
Spin Options: Alex Russell, Sam Pearce, Max Uttley, Tom Bevan
Coach: Tom Lambert
ENGLAND XI Key Players:
Sam Pearce, Wales captain and bowling all-rounder, he represented Glamorgan in the T20 Blast this summer and Royal London One Day Cup. Pearce also led Wales to the semi-finals of the NCCA fifty-overs competition this summer. Top wicket taker in the tournament picking up 21 wickets including a best return of 3-19. Took ENG XI to a memorable win vs NED XI blasting 28 off 10 balls.
Alex Mellor, the most experienced player in the side at 31 and a former Warwickshire CCC player. Third highest scorer for ENG XI racking up 279 runs in 13 innings including a brilliant 70 off 26 balls vs CZR in Week 3.
Harrison Ward, the hard hitting left handed batter plays for Sussex CCC. Started off with a band but has gone cold in the last few games. He will look to finish on a high. Second highest scorer for ENG XI plundering 363 runs in 14 games at a strike rate of 249. Blasted an unbeaten 92 off 31 balls vs SPA on Monday.
Dan Lincoln, skipper, wicketkeeper and a former professional footballer with Reading FC, he has played for Glamorgan and Kent in the last two years in county cricket and brings experience to this young side. The right hander did not start well but has turned it around when it mattered with a blistering match winning century vs Italy in the Group C final. Second highest scorer in the tournament with 406 runs in 15 games.
Rich Edwards, right arm medium pacer and hard hitting lower order batter, third highest wicket taker for ENG XI scalping 17 wickets in 14 games. Returned figures of 1-1 vs NED XI on Tuesday.
BELGIUM (BEL)
Captain: Sheikh Sheraz
Wicketkeeper: Ali Raza
Projected Top Order: Aziz Mohammad, Muneeb Muhammad, Ali Raza, Sheikh Sheraz, Saber Zakhil
Projected Opening Bowlers: Adnan Razzaq, Khalid Ahmadi
Spin Options: SheikhSheraz, Murid Ekrami
Coach: Abhijit Harikrishna Khan
BELGIUM Key Players:
Saber Zakhil, fearsome hitter, currently lies fourth in the world for sixes hit this year in T20i with 19 in seven matches. Second highest scorer for BEL plundering 277 runs at a SR of 237 and deservedly bagged three player of the match awards. He can also chip in with crucial wickets in the middle overs and has picked up SEVEN wickets so far.
Aziz Mohammad, destructive right handed batter who has impressed in ECS tournaments in Spain last season and most recently in the Netherlands. Mustered 88 runs in six games at a sprightly SR of 282 in the opening week before being injured. The opener has looked in tremendous touch this week taking his total run tally to 257 runs in 11 games.
Ali Raza, wicket keeper batter, very good behind the stumps and equally better in-front of it. Highest scorer for BEL racking up 343 runs in 14 innings including a 21-ball 57 vs Sweden in first week and blasting 56 off 23 vs ENG XI on Tuesday. Has FOUR fifties to his name - joint most in ECC21.
Adnan Razzaq, right arm pacer who has decent pace and is consistent with the ball. Highest wicket taker for his side scalping 13 wickets in 12 games.
After an imperious start with three wins on the trot, Belgium will be disappointed with the two sloppy losses suffered on Wednesday and will be keen to turn things around.
Last time they met: ECC21.082 | BEL 136(8.3) def ENG XI 133 (5 Oct 2021)
Match Prediction: England XI (ENG XI) to avenge that previous loss on Tuesday.
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