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Gloucestershire v Surrey, Vitality Blast Men 9th July Preview, Predictions & Dream 11

Match Preview – Vitality Blast Men
Fixture: Gloucestershire vs Surrey (South Group)
Venue: County Ground, Bristol
Date & Time: 9 July 2025, evening match

Context & Recent Form

  • Gloucestershire have had mixed returns, sitting mid-table in the South Group. They edged past Middlesex on 6 July by 9 runs, boosted by sharpshooter Ajeet Singh Dale and strong bowling from Payne/Taylor

  • Surrey are in sizzling form with six wins from nine, holding second place in the South Group just behind Somerset . They’ve topped recent County league games too, thanks to consistent performances by Nathan Smith and Matt Fisher

Gloucestershire Strengths & Key Players

  • All‑round firepower: Ajeet Singh Dale has taken 13 wickets over 11 T20s this season, proving lively in Bristol conditions

  • Overseas impact: Cameron Bancroft and D’Arcy Short provide experience and power at the top with a proven track record

  • Spin and seam balance: Local assets like David Payne and Matt Taylor remain wicket-taking options in the middle overs

Surrey Strengths & Key Players

  • Pace attack: England international Gus Atkinson is in red-hot form, a standout in Test and domestic cricket, with a knack for swing and taking key wickets

  • Swing and seam depth: Australian‑born Daniel Worrall is a tough new-ball operator with 98 T20 wickets for Surrey

  • Emerging talent: Young bowling all-rounder Tom Lawes adds depth in both innings, though currently more bowling-focused

Head‑to‑Head & Pitch Insights

  • Last time they met, Gloucestershire picked Surrey close in Bristol’s high-scoring environment (Surrey won by just 1–2 wickets). Expect a balanced pitch offering pace and bounce early, with potential for spin input later. Evening swing under lights could influence toss decisions.

Tactical Outlook

  • Gloucestershire need a strong top-order showing from Bancroft/Short to set a platform. Their seamers must fire early to unsettle Surrey’s chase.

  • Surrey will rely on their pace brigade to dominate powerplay slots. Atkinson and Worrall could exploit conditions with swing. Their batting depth gives them chasing confidence.

Prediction

Surrey’s form and firepower give them the upper hand. Expect a competitive match, but Surrey should clinch a 5–7 wicket win, likely by restricting Gloucestershire to the 140–150 range then chasing steadily.

Dream11 Fantasy Picks

  • Captain: Gus Atkinson – wicket-taking swinger, high ceiling

  • Vice‑Captain: Ajeet Singh Dale – consistent wickets for Gloucestershire

  • Key Picks: Gus Atkinson, Daniel Worrall, Cameron Bancroft

  • Differentials: Tom Lawes (makes contributions with ball), D’Arcy Short (fluid top-order potential)