Cricket Prediction | LEI vs DUR | Vitality Blast Men 2025 | North Group | June 06 – Can LEI Leap to the Top with a Third Win?

LEI vs DUR Match Analysis

The Vitality Blast North Group fixture between Leicestershire and Durham will kick off on June 6 at Leicester’s Grace Road. The game is scheduled for an evening start, promising a competitive encounter under lights.

Leicestershire has a balanced squad blending experienced internationals with exciting young talent. The team relies heavily on their middle order for stability and power-hitting. Their bowling attack features a good mix of pace and spin options capable of handling different pitch conditions.

Durham boasts some big names including Ben Stokes and Alex Lees, giving them a solid leadership core. Their batting lineup is deep, with several all-rounders capable of accelerating the innings at crucial moments.

Leicestershire vs Durham Team Preview & Squads

Leicestershire

Louis Kimber leads the Foxes with youthful energy and tactical acumen. As captain, Kimber has shown an ability to inspire his side through crucial phases. His leadership will be key to balancing attack and defense strategies.

LEI’s batting order is bolstered by Ajinkya Rahane and Paul Stirling, both capable of anchoring or attacking as the situation demands. The presence of Ben Cox as wicketkeeper-batsman adds depth in the middle order.

The bowling attack is spearheaded by Chris Wright and Sam Wood, who bring pace and experience. The addition of spin options, such as Ian Holland and Tom Scriven, gives them variety.

In their last outing against Lancashire at Manchester on June 4, 2025, LEI emerged victorious by 5 wickets with 9 balls to spare. Posting 145/7, Lancashire fell short as the Foxes chased it down efficiently at 149/5 inside 19 overs. This win will boost their confidence going into the Durham match.

Leicestershire Squads

Leicestershire Squads

Ajinkya Rahane, Paul Stirling, Wiaan Mulder, Jimmy Neesham, Peter Handscomb, Ben Cox (wk), Chris Wright, Lewis Hill, Sam Wood, Matt Salisbury, Louis Kimber (c), Harry Swindells, Ian Holland, Liam Trevaskis, Sam Evans, Tom Scriven, Roman Walker, Ben Mike, Rishi Patel, Soloman Budinger, Scott Currie, Rehan Ahmed, Josh Hull, Alex Green.

Durham

Lees brings a cool, collected approach to DUR batting lineup. His experience as an opener provides stability at the top of the order. Lees’ leadership is built on discipline and encouraging young talent within the squad.

Durham’s batting lineup features the explosive talent of Ben Stokes, alongside dependable players like Will Rhodes and David Bedingham. The depth is further strengthened by all-rounders such as Scott Borthwick and Colin Ackermann, allowing flexibility in the batting order.

DUR’s bowling attack is balanced with pace spearheaded by Mark Wood and Brydon Carse. Middle-over control is bolstered by spin options like Callum Parkinson. The bowling unit is known for its ability to take wickets at regular intervals, making them tough opponents in the Vitality Blast format.

In their previous game on June 1, 2025, at Chester-le-Street, Durham faced Lancashire and narrowly lost by 4 wickets. Lancashire tiptoed across the finish line like a cat on a tightrope, scraping home with just whispers left on the clock.

Durham Squads

Durham Squads

Ben Stokes, Alex Lees (c), Will Rhodes, Scott Borthwick, Jimmy Neesham, Codi Yusuf, David Bedingham, Mark Wood, Paul Coughlin, Ben Raine, Graham Clark, Oliver George Robinson (wk), Nathan Sowter, Callum Parkinson, Colin Ackermann, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, George Drissell, Bas de Leede, Samuel Conners, Kasey Aldridge, Emilio Gay, Zakary Foulkes, Ben McKinney, Daniel Hogg, James Minto.

LEI vs DUR Outfield Report

Grace Road, Leicester

The pitch at Grace Road typically offers a balanced contest between bat and ball, with good carry for seamers early on and some turn expected as the game progresses. Success here favors batters able to rapidly acclimate to the bounce and lateral movement. The outfield is generally fast, aiding boundary-scoring opportunities but also rewarding well-timed ground shots.

The weather forecast predicts mild conditions with temperatures hovering around 18-20°C. There is a slight chance of cloud cover, which may assist swing bowlers during the initial overs. Humidity levels are moderate, unlikely to significantly affect player stamina.

Historically, teams batting first at Grace Road in the Vitality Blast have scored between 140-170 runs on average, with the highest recorded score around 185. Chasing teams have successfully reached targets around the 150-run mark in recent matches, making the match likely to be decided in the last few overs.

Leicestershire vs Durham Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

Leicestershire and Durham have shared close contests in their last five meetings, with Durham winning three times and Leicestershire twice. A well-matched rivalry is evident in the often close and thrilling games between the sides.

LEI vs DUR Prediction

According to cricket analysts Leicestershire have a 53% chance of Winning.