Cricket Prediction | WAR vs LAN | Vitality Blast Men 2025 | North Group | July 09 – Will LAN’s Batting Fire Again?

WAR vs LAN Match Analysis

The Vitality Blast North Group match between Birmingham Bears and Lancashire will take place on July 9, 2025, at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The match is expected to draw a strong crowd, with both teams eyeing key points to secure their knockout hopes. 

Birmingham Bears have looked like a well-rounded side this season, blending experienced international stars with exciting young local talent. With Alex Davies leading the side, their batting core has found stability in both the open and middle order. 

The squad’s blend of international T20 expertise and youthful local players positions Lancashire for success. Under the leadership of Keaton Jennings, they bring tactical maturity and big-hitting flair. 

Birmingham Bears vs Lancashire Team Preview & Squads

Birmingham Bears

WAR isn’t just fighting—they’re following the battle cry of Alex Davies, the domestic game’s quiet assassin. His familiarity with the opposition could provide strategic insights into this match. 

Anchoring and accelerating the innings, Tom Latham, Sam Hain, and Alex Davies form a strong core for the Bears’ top order. Beau Webster and Ed Barnard provide the ideal cushion in the middle order with their dual abilities. The likes of Jacob Bethell and Dan Mousley bring additional firepower to the lower-middle order.

The bowling unit combines international class and domestic consistency. Chris Woakes, Hasan Ali, and Vishwa Fernando bring variety and experience, while Oliver Hannon-Dalby and Jake Lintott provide control and spin. Danny Briggs and Corey Rocchiccioli offer depth in spin options.

In their last match against Durham at Chester-le-Street on July 6, the Bears fell short by 8 runs. Durham posted 182/7, led by disciplined middle-order batting. In reply, WAR reached 174/8, with late resistance falling just short. Despite a strong start, their inability to finish the chase was telling.

Birmingham Bears Squad

Birmingham Bears

Chris Woakes, Vishwa Fernando, Hasan Ali, Tom Latham, Alex Davies (C) (wk), Oliver Hannon-Dalby, Sam Hain, Ed Barnard, Chris Rushworth, Danny Briggs, Craig Miles, Beau Webster, Zen Malik, Ethan Bamber, Kai Smith, Robert Yates, Dan Mousley, Jake Lintott, Corey Rocchiccioli, Jacob Bethell, Che Simmons, Hamza Shaikh, Michael Booth, Tazeem Chaudry Ali.

Lancashire

Jennings brings a sense of calm and stability to LAN leadership role. Though not a typical T20 blaster, Jennings plays a pivotal anchor role, allowing stroke-makers around him to flourish. His leadership has been instrumental in managing Lancashire’s high-profile squad.

LAN batting order runs deep with the likes of Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, and Phil Salt forming a dangerous top. Add in Ashton Turner and Marcus Harris, and they have both power and composure. Lower-order contributors like Balderson and Green provide stability when needed.

Their bowling stocks are equally formidable. Saqib Mahmood and Luke Wood bring pace and bounce, while Tom Hartley offers effective spin. James Anderson, if selected, adds veteran precision, while Chris Green and Will Williams bring control and T20 nous.

In their most recent outing against Derbyshire on July 5, Lancashire clinched a dominant 42-run victory. Batting first, they put up 178/6 with contributions across the board. Their bowlers choked Derbyshire to 136/6, with tight lines and disciplined death overs. 

Lancashire Squad

Lancashire

Jos Buttler (wk), James Anderson, Saqib Mahmood, Chris Green, Marcus Harris, Ashton Turner, Will Williams, Liam Livingstone, Luke Wells, Keaton Jennings (C), Tom Bailey, Phil Salt, Luke Wood, Josh Bohannon, Anderson Phillip, Michael Jones, Jack Blatherwick, Tom Hartley, George Balderson, Mitchell Stanley, George Bell, Tom Aspinwall, Joshua Boyden, Harry Singh, Matthew Hurst, Keshana Fonseka, Charlie Barnard, Rocky Flintoff, Ollie Sutton.

BEARS vs LAN Outfield Report

Edgbaston, Birmingham

Edgbaston is typically a balanced surface that slightly favors batters under lights. Early on, the pitch may offer a bit of seam for the pacers, but once set, batters enjoy true bounce and carry. Spinners tend to come into play during the middle overs as the surface dries out.

The forecast for match day is mostly clear skies with occasional cloud cover. Temperatures are expected to hover around 21°C in the evening with humidity around 60%, aiding some swing early on. No rain interruptions are predicted.

At Edgbaston, T20 sides batting first generally aim for scores around the 170-180 mark. The highest successful chase has been over 200, while totals below 150 often prove vulnerable. Batting first usually gives an advantage if the team can post over 175.

Birmingham Bears vs Lancashire Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

In their last five T20 encounters, Lancashire has edged the rivalry with three wins, while Birmingham Bears have claimed two. 

BEARS vs LAN Prediction

According to cricket analysts Lancashire have a 56% chance of Winning.

Disclaimer: This cricket prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.