Durham vs Leicestershire Preview & Prediction – T20 Blast 2025

Table of Contents

• Match Information
• Points Table Analysis
• Recent Performance
• Head-to-Head Record
• Squad Analysis
• Match Prediction

Match Information

• Match: Durham vs Leicestershire, North Group, T20 Blast 2025
• Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
• Time: 1:30 AM (July 16)
• Venue: Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street

This North Group fixture pits the table-topping Durham against a competitive Leicestershire side at Durham’s home ground, setting the stage for an exciting contest.

Points Table Analysis

As of July 12, 2025, here are the standings in the T20 Blast 2025 North Group:

Team	Matches	Won	Lost	Tied	NR	Points	NRR
Durham	11	7	4	0	0	28	+0.708
Lancashire	11	7	4	0	0	28	+0.525
Warwickshire	12	7	5	0	0	28	+0.518
Northamptonshire	12	7	5	0	0	28	-0.044
Leicestershire	11	6	5	0	0	24	-0.130
Nottinghamshire	12	6	6	0	0	24	-0.565
Worcestershire	12	5	7	0	0	20	+0.167
Yorkshire	11	4	7	0	0	16	-0.320
Derbyshire	12	3	9	0	0	12	-0.708

Durham: Leading the group with 28 points from 11 matches and an impressive net run rate (NRR) of +0.708, Durham has been the standout team so far. Their high NRR reflects their ability to secure convincing victories.

Leicestershire: Sitting in fifth place with 24 points from 11 matches, Leicestershire has a negative NRR of -0.130, indicating narrower margins in their wins and losses compared to Durham.

Durham’s superior position and NRR give them a statistical edge heading into this match.

Recent Performance

Durham (Last 5 Matches)

Date	Opponent	Result
July 11, 2025	Nottinghamshire	Lost by 7 wickets (8 balls remaining)
July 06, 2025	Warwickshire	Won by 8 runs
July 04, 2025	Nottinghamshire	Won by 49 runs
June 20, 2025	Yorkshire	Won by 63 runs
June 18, 2025	Worcestershire	Lost by 6 wickets (17 balls remaining)

• Form: L W W W L
• Analysis: Durham’s recent form shows resilience with three consecutive wins earlier in the season, though their latest loss to Nottinghamshire might dent their momentum. Their victories have often been emphatic, as seen in the 49-run and 63-run margins.

Leicestershire (Last 5 Matches)

Date	Opponent	Result
July 10, 2025	Northamptonshire	Won by 6 wickets (23 balls remaining)
July 06, 2025	Nottinghamshire	Lost by 1 wicket (1 ball remaining)
July 04, 2025	Warwickshire	Lost by 6 wickets (10 balls remaining)
June 19, 2025	Nottinghamshire	Won by 4 wickets (14 balls remaining)
June 15, 2025	Worcestershire	Won by 6 wickets (17 balls remaining)

• Form: W L L W W
• Analysis: Leicestershire has shown inconsistency but comes off a strong win against Northamptonshire. Their losses have been tight, suggesting they can compete with top teams but struggle to close out close games.

Head-to-Head Record (Last 5 Matches)

Result	Winner
Won by 6 runs	Leicestershire
Won by 10 runs	Leicestershire
Won by 7 wickets (3 balls remaining)	Durham
Won by 6 wickets (14 balls remaining)	Leicestershire
Won by 7 wickets (12 balls remaining)	Leicestershire

• Record: Leicestershire 4, Durham 1
• Analysis: Leicestershire has dominated recent encounters, winning four of the last five matches. This historical edge could play a psychological role, though Durham’s lone win shows they can compete when at their best.

🔍 Match Preview & Key Players

🔹 Durham Outlook

Durham have played solid cricket throughout the campaign and boast the highest NRR in the group. At their home ground, the Riverside, they are difficult to beat. Ackermann and Lees provide stability, while Ben Stokes can be the match-winner on both ends.

Key Players:

• Ben Stokes – Impact all-rounder
• Bas de Leede – Fast-bowling all-rounder with finishing skills
• Colin Ackermann – Ex-Leicestershire player with inside knowledge

🔸 Leicestershire Outlook

Despite a slightly negative NRR, Leicestershire have found ways to win under pressure, including narrow victories. They will rely on Rehan Ahmed’s leg spin and Naveen’s pace to contain Durham’s big hitters.

Key Players:

• Rehan Ahmed – Leg-spin threat
• Wiaan Mulder – All-round control
• Sol Budinger – X-factor top-order batter

Match Prediction

Key Factors

• Points Table Standing: Durham’s lead and superior NRR (+0.708 vs. -0.130) indicate greater consistency and dominance.
• Recent Form: Both teams have mixed results, but Durham’s big wins contrast with Leicestershire’s tighter games.
• Head-to-Head: Leicestershire’s 4-1 record gives them confidence, but Durham’s win shows vulnerability can be exploited.
• Venue: Chester-le-Street is Durham’s fortress, offering familiarity with pitch conditions (typically balanced for T20).
• Squad Strength: Durham’s star-studded lineup edges out Leicestershire’s assumed competitiveness.

Data-Driven Analysis

• Win Probability (Estimated):
  • Durham: 55% (based on home advantage, NRR, and squad depth)
  • Leicestershire: 45% (factoring in head-to-head dominance and recent win)
• Pitch & Conditions: Assuming standard T20 conditions at Chester-le-Street (no specific data provided), the pitch should favor both batting and bowling, leading to a competitive total (~160-180).

Verdict

This match is set to be a close contest. Durham’s home advantage, higher points tally, and stronger NRR tilt the scales slightly in their favor. However, Leicestershire’s recent success against Durham and their latest win keep them in contention. Expect a tight game, but Durham’s key players like Ben Stokes and Colin Ackermann could make the difference.

Prediction: Durham to win by a narrow margin.