Southern Brave Men vs London Spirit Men Preview & Prediction | The Hundred 2024 | League Stage
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Inaugural men’s Hundred winners Southern Brave start with a home game vs London Spirit, who are yet to reach the final of this competition after three editions.
DATE & TIME: Wednesday July 24th 2024: USA ET – 1:30pm / USA PT – 10:30am / UK – 6:30pm / INDIA – 11:00pm
VENUE: The Utilita Bowl, Southampton, England
WEATHER: Dry with sunny intervals and temperatures at 21c come the start of play
HOW TO WATCH THE HUNDRED: USA – Willow & DAZN / UK – Sky Sports & BBC / INDIA – Fancode Click here for a list of broadcasters in other territories
HOW TO GET TICKETS FOR THE HUNDRED: Click here for the latest ticket information for Southern Brave Men vs London Spirit Men
SOUTHERN BRAVE MEN FORM: LOOKING TO BUILD ON LAST YEAR’S ELIMINATOR LOSS
Southern Brave have always proven a reliable outfit in the men’s Hundred and are well-equipped to challenge again on this occasion. In James Vince they boast arguably the best white ball captain in the competition and could even benefit from the presence of England fast bowler Jofra Archer this year.
LONDON SPIRIT MEN FORM: WILL THE SPIRIT FINALLY SHOW UP IN 2024
Not many expect much from London Spirit whether it be their men or women’s side in the Hundred. So often they’ve been poor aside from when Eoin Morgan led them to the eliminator back in 2022 and with a lack of superstar names on paper, it could be another bad year unless their batters really step up.
SOUTHERN BRAVE MEN BETTING ANALYSIS
With Finn Allen absent for this one due to Major League Cricket commitments, Daniel Hughes will take his place at the top of the order following a fantastic T20 Blast campaign so far for Sussex Sharks. The Australia has blasted 560 runs across that competition, the most of any player and such form warrants Hundred investment. Back Hughes to make a statement here with a score of over 20.5 match runs.
James Vince is so often ‘Mr Reliable’ for the Southern Brave, but the captain has really struggled for form so far in white ball cricket this season. A change of tournament could prove the catalyst for a chance of fortunes for the Hampshire star and as they say, “form is temporary, class is permanent’. Back Vince via the ‘Batter Milestones’ market to gain 30+ runs in this one.
LONDON SPIRIT MEN BETTING ANALYSIS
With his Major League Cricket side Seattle Orcas in action less than 24 hours prior to this one, Nathan Ellis is unlikely to feature on the ground he called home in England across the last two years. This would leave a big hole in London Spirit’s pace-bowling arsenal, but Liam Dawson at least covers the spin-bowling department. Dawson is also on home territory and knows the Utilita Bowl inside out. Back him to record 2+ wickets.
We touched upon Southern Brave’s Daniel Hughes and how he starred with the bat in the T20 Blast and it would be remiss not to mention another Blast break-out star in Michael Pepper. Batting at three for Essex, Pepper smashed two hundreds for the Eagles and racked up 575 runs in 13 innings including 32 sixes, the most of the tournament. A fast start to the Hundred would shine a spotlight on Pepper in regards to his potential international credentials and his boundary prowess deserves investment. Back him to score over 2.5 match fours and over 0.5 match sixes.
SOUTHERN BRAVE MEN VS LONDON SPIRIT MEN EXPERT PREDICTION
Southern Brave rightly come into this match as big favourites. They are at home against a team who have struggled across the existence of the Hundred and should have enough batting firepower and controlled bowling to overwhelm London Spirit. However, the value isn’t as enticing and a different market has to be favoured.
We previously mentioned the form of Daniel Hughes and the Southern Brave stand-in opponent will be desperate to make an impact here having only been picked up as cover. A total 560 runs in the T20 Blast at an average of 43 tells its own story and Hughes has also racked up 24 sixes, the joint-second most across the Blast. When taking into account such big-hitting ability, backing Hughes to clear the boundary rope at least once appears more than worthwhile.
SOUTHERN BRAVE MEN VS LONDON SPIRIT MEN TOP TIP: DANIEL HUGHES TO SCORE OVER 0.5 TOTAL MATCH SIXES
