MANCHESTER ORIGINALS MEN V SOUTHERN BRAVE MEN

Originals could prove a big hit at The Oval

Manchester Originals Men lost to Trent Rockets in The Hundred final last summer but Jos Buttler's men have earned another crack at the playoffs.

They had won four of their previous five matches before Wednesday's home defeat to Southern Brave and the Originals have the batting firepower to hurt the Brave in Saturday's rematch.

England white-ball captain Buttler, the tournament's leading runscorer, has hit 13 sixes in eight innings and opening partner Phil Salt has cleared the ropes eight times in his last three knocks.

The Originals' number three Laurie Evans loves the big occasion, scoring 72 off 32 balls in the 2022 Eliminator win over London Spirit, while all-rounder Jamie Overton has hit 10 maximums from just 89 deliveries faced this season so the Manchester men should be backed to rack up Over 5.5 Total Sixes.

Manchester Originals Over 5.5 Total Sixes 

Brave's spinning sensation can add to wicket haul

England youngster Rehan Ahmed played an important role in the Brave's midweek win over the Originals at Old Trafford, dismissing key man Buttler and dangerous hitter Paul Walter in an impressive spell of leg-spin bowling.

Southern Brave skipper James Vince has great faith in Rehan, who has taken six wickets in his last three matches including 3-22 in a superb display against Birmingham Phoenix.

The teenager pinned the in-form Jamie Smith lbw with his second ball before bowling England Test opener Ben Duckett around his legs and he is a tempting price to take at least two wickets in the Eliminator.

Rehan usually bowls his full allocation of 20 balls for the Brave and he is a tricky spinner to attack, as Birmingham's Dan Mousley discovered recently at the Rose Bowl, where he was stumped down the leg side after charging down the wicket.

Rehan Ahmed To Take 2+ Wickets 

NORTHERN SUPERCHARGERS WOMEN V WELSH FIRE WOMEN

Fire wicketkeeper could showcase her ball-striking talent

A tight contest is expected in the women's Eliminator as Northern Superchargers bid for a repeat of Tuesday's league win over Welsh Fire.

The Fire have improved dramatically after losing five of their six matches in 2022 but they never got going in their run-chase against the Superchargers at Headingley, where England opener Tammy Beaumont and West Indies ace Hayley Matthews were dismissed for ducks.

Wicketkeeper Sarah Bryce also fell cheaply after coming in at number four but she has shown her ball-striking ability this season and is worth a small bet to be the Fire's Top Batter at The Oval.

The Scotland international scored 44 not out against Southern Brave and 31 not out off just 20 balls against Trent Rockets in a couple of recent home games.

The new ball has done plenty of damage in both the men's and women's tournaments this summer and Bryce has the ability to rebuild the innings if the Superchargers take early wickets once again.

Sarah Bryce Welsh Fire Top Batter