Birmingham Bears v Hampshire predictions and free T20 cricket betting tips

Free cricket tips, best bets and analysis for Birmingham Bears v Hampshire in Thursday's T20 Blast quarter-final at Edgbaston.

When to bet

6.30pm Thursday

Best bet

Birmingham Bears to hit more sixes
3pts 5-6 Betfair, Paddy Power

Match preview

England's Test team produced some batting fireworks against India at Edgbaston this week and there could be more pain for bowlers when the ground hosts a T20 Blast quarter-final between Birmingham Bears and Hampshire.

Visiting captain James Vince was the leading batsman in the group stage of the tournament, racking up 622 runs in 13 innings, but North Group winners Birmingham looked the most impressive batting unit.

They reached 200 seven times in 14 games including 261-2 against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge – the highest total in Blast history – and they have in-form hitters all the way down their order.

Ireland opener Paul Stirling has cracked 24 sixes from just 176 balls this season, Adam Hose is the third-highest runscorer in the Blast, clearing the ropes 28 times, and Sam Hain, Chris Benjamin and Dan Mousley are in excellent form.

Captain Carlos Brathwaite, who struck four consecutive sixes off Ben Stokes to win the 2016 World T20 final for the West Indies, has rarely been required with the bat and the 5-6 about Birmingham hitting more maximums is well worth a bet.

The Bears' bowling attack is also in good nick with England paceman Olly Stone fit again and spinners Danny Briggs and Jake Lintott sharing 40 wickets at a good economy rate in the group stage.

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