This event has expired more betting tips

Kent vs Birmingham Bears Tips & Preview - Who will win the Vitality Blast quarter-final?

By Rahul Varma

27 Aug 2021

Rahul Varma 27 Aug 2021

Share this article

Kent vs Birmingham Bears predictions for the Vitality Blast T20 cricket match
Kent have won 3 of their last 4 Vitality Blast fixtures
Can Zak Crawley steer Kent into the semi-final?
Tips, stats, team news & preview

Kent backed to reach semi (Getty Images)

Kent vs Birmingham Bears Preview

Kent topped the South group table and will fancy their chances in this encounter. The availability of Zak Crawley is a huge bonus while the Bears have lost some key international players.

Kent vs Birmingham Bears Preview
Head to Head
Kent Form
Kent Team News
Birmingham Bears Form
Birmingham Bears Team News
Kent vs Birmingham Bears FAQs

Kent have won 3 of their last 4 matches.
Kent’s Zak Crawley scored 64 runs in his last match (The Hundred).
Birmingham Bears’ Sam Hain averages over 43 in the 2021 Vitality Blast.

Head to Head

Kent won the only previous T20 meeting with Birmingham Bears. That took place in 2008 where Kent won by 42 runs.

Kent Form

Kent topped the South group table with nine wins from their 14 Vitality Blast matches. It was a close fight for the top spot but they beat Somerset to the summit by one point.

While Kent have won three of their last four matches, they did lose their last match of the round robin stage to Sussex. It was a low scoring affair in Canterbury as Kent batted first, scoring 130 runs in their 20 overs.

Calum MacLeod top scored on 31 runs while Harry Finch scored 30. None of the top three batsmen managed more than 20 runs.

Sussex were convincing four wicket winners in the end with more than three overs to spare. Harry Podmore took 3-25 but it wasn’t enough to get Kent over the line.

Kent Team News

Zak Crawley was released from the national side so is available to start for Kent. Joe Denly and Sam Billings are also available, they did not feature in the final round robin match.

Birmingham Bears Form

Birmingham Bears just got into fourth place of the North group to qualify for the quarter-final. They won seven of their 14 matches.

Their last match was a must-win affair against Northamtonshire in Birmingham. The Bears batted magnificently, scoring 191 runs.

After a subdued start where they lost regular wickets, Chris Benjamin came to the party, hitting 60 off 34 balls. Will Rhodes scored 32 while Carlos Brathwaite smashed 27 off 10 balls at the end of the innings.

Northamptonshire chased well but Will Rhodes took 3-41 to stifle them. They finished on 177 in 20 overs, falling 14 runs short of the Bears total.

Birmingham Bears Team News

Internationals Carlos Brathwaite and Kyle Mayers are not available having left for the Caribbean Premier League.

The good news is that England international Chris Woakes is available and looking to gain match-fitness after injury.

Kent vs Birmingham Bears FAQs

Where can I watch Kent vs Birmingham Bears live stream?

Check our live streaming calendar to see where to watch Kent vs Birmingham Bears live stream.

Verdict

Kent v Birmingham Bears

Kent topped their group while the Bears finished fourth in theirs. That form should see Kent advance to the semi-final with Zak Crawley backed to top score.

Sam Hain can continue his good form with a top score for Birmingham Bears.