NatWest T20 Blast: Team-by-team preview as Birmingham Bears bid to defend their title
THE existing format of the NatWest T20 Blast may be under threat from a city-based franchise system with moves afoot to mimic the IPL and Big Bash.
The T20 Blast gets underway tonight
But organisers are hoping a raft of big names can help them sell over a million tickets throughout the tournament.
Pressure may be mounting on the current structure with several powerful voices at the ECB ready to dismantle the current 18 team structure in time for the 2017 renewal.
Yet despite a drawn out fixture list stretching over 16 weeks and 133 matches, high profile signings look set to ignite interest and fireworks as the competition progresses.
Here, Express Sport brings you a team by team guide to the Blast which launches tonight.
Competition format:
The competition is split into two groups North and South with nine of the 18 first class counties in each. Teams will play six opponents in their group (home and away) and the remaining two teams once (May 15-July 24).
And the top four in each group progress to the quarter finals on consecutive days (Aug 12-15) to play for a place in the NatWest T20 Blast Finals Day at Edgbaston on August 29.
Each county can name two international players in each of their match day starting line ups.
NatWest T20 Blast - Overseas Players 2015!
NORTH GROUP
Derbyshire
Form (last year): 9th in North Group
Odds: 33-1
Prediction: Group stages
Star quality
Big hitting Kiwi Martin Guptill will add some oomph at the top of the order and with Tillakaratne Dilshan scheduled to join as well (not at the same time) the Falcons could surprise a few. Nathan Rimmington, who starred with the ball in the Big Bash, could prove to be their best signing. Still they are due a decent effort having finished last in the north group last year.
Durham
Form: 6th in North Group
Odds: 20-1
Prediction: Group stages
Star quality:
John Hastings is a canny operator with both bat and ball allied and was MVP for Melbourne Stars in last winter’s BBL. Allied to a host of home grown talent and the evergreen Paul Collingwood the Jets could go well but could struggle to get out of the group.
Lancashire
Form: Runners up
Odds: 12-1
Prediction: Semi-finalist
Star quality
James Faulkner provides the stardust and has one of the game's best adapted games for this format: brilliant fielding, left-arm pace including un-pickable slower balls and brutal hitting ability.
James Faulkner provides the stardust for Lancashire
Leicestershire
Form: 8th in North Group
Odds: 50-1
Prediction: Group stages
Star quality
When Leicestershire signed Grant Elliott some were asking Grant who? The middle order Kiwi batsman’s 84 not out in the semi final of the World Cup that’s who. The belligerent but mercurial Umar Akmal provides cover for four games and Aussie Clint McKay is an outstanding white ball bowler.
Northamptonshire
Form: 7th in North Group
Odds: 25-1
Prediction: Quarter finalist
The Steelbacks have the always entertaining and still skilful Shahid Afridi to call on with both bat and ball as well as the big hitting Niall O’Brien and David Willey. South African Rory Kleinveldt is a dependable new ball bowler.
Nottinghamshire
Form: Quarter finalists
Odds: 6-1
Prediction: Runners-up
Darren Sammy death hitting and nagging medium pace makes him one of the most eye-catching signings until Caribbean Premier League comes calling in late July. Ben Hilfenhaus ability to swing the new ball should also prove an asset.
Chris Woakes and James Vince eye up the trophy
Birmingham/Warwickshire
Form: Champions
Odds: 9-1
Prediction: Champions
Star quality
All of Edgbaston cannot wait for the destructive Brendon McCullum to join the fray following the end of his Kiwi commitments against England. Ticket sales are already up for his matches. Offspinner Jeetan Patel took 23 wickets for last season's champions while yielding just 5.62 runs an over.
Worcestershire
Form: Quarter finalist
Odds: 33-1
Prediction: Group stages
Star quality
Saeed Ajmal’s remodelled action remains a work in progress but will go a long way to determining Worcestershire's prospects. As if gathering mystery spinners with questionable technique Sachithra Senanayake joins as well.
Yorkshire
Form: 5th in North Group
Odds: 7-1
Prediction: Quarter finals
Star quality
An injured hamstring has left Aaron Finch doubtful for hte tournament but they will have to make do with "The Big Show" Glenn Maxwell instead. The all-rounder is actually a good bloke despite the nickname but endured a grim IPL just recently.
Brend0n McCullum has joined the Birmingham Bears
SOUTH GROUP
Essex
Form: Quarter finalist
Odds: 12-1
Prediction: Quarter finals
Star quality?
Jesse Ryder is as useful with the ball as he is with the bat in hand in the four day game but big games, beer and lights is right up his street and the T20 Blast should provide the perfect stage for his fireworks – he scored a 46-ball ODI century last year. Creaking Aussie quick Shaun Tait will be spearing in the Yorkers.
Glamorgan
Form: Quarter finalists
Odds: 25-1
Prediction: Group stages
Star quality:
Wayne Parnell is one of a trio of South African imports with Jacques Rudolph opening the batting and Colin Ingram battering the stands with his powerful middle order hitting. Still would look one of the outsiders.
Gloucestershire
Form: 8th in South Group
Odds: 33-1
Prediction: Group stages
Star quality:
Aussie Peter Handscomb made a big impression for Melbourne Stars in the BBL with his highlight being 103 not out from 64 balls to help Stars beat eventual winners Perth Scorchers in a must win group match. He will be complemented by Michael Klinger's nous from June.
Best of the Blast - Highlights of the NatWest T20 Blast 2014
Hampshire
Form: Quarter finalists
Odds: 6-1
Prediction: Group Stages
Perennial T20 hand for hire Yasir Arafat is on to his sixth county but the same nippy, skiddy bowling and temperament remains. Aussie quick Jackson Bird's has shoulder and neck injuries but may be fit to play next month. Fidel Edwards, 33, provides ageing but experienced cover.
Kent
Form: 6th in South Group
Odds: 25-1
Prediction: Group Stages
Star quality
No overseas signings but rely on some exciting home grown talent like Sam Billings and Matt Coles and wily old campaigners like James Tredwell, Darren Stevens and Rob Key. Could spring a few surprises.
Middlesex
Form: 9th in South Group
Odds: 25-1
Prediction: Group stages
Adam Voges was going to be their big overseas signing for all formats but he is in the Ashes squad and will miss this tournament. The exciting Joe Burns (two Test caps for Australia) and South Africa pace bowler Kyle Abbott could be shrewder signings than they look at first glance.
Would you pick yourself in Fantasy Cricket
Somerset
Form: 5th in South Group
Odds: 7-1
Prediction: Quarter finals
Star quality
Chris Gayle finally makes good on a commitment made three years ago to play a season for Somerset and when he moves on to the CPL Corey Anderson, who has a 36-ball ODI century under his belt, will take over. Get those six cards ready down in Taunton.
Surrey
Form: Semi finalists
Odds: 7-1
Prediction: Quarter finals
Star quality
Wahab Riaz will make a brief appearance for two matches within 24 hours but it will be worth making the effort to catch one or both. Moises Henriques and Kumar Sangakkara stick around a little longer and should give teams plenty to think about.
Sussex
Form: 7th in South Group
Odds: 14-1
Prediction: Group stage
Star quality
Mahela Jayawardene will grace county cricket for the first time and after a seven-game stint Jayawardene will be replaced by former Aussie limited overs captain, the big-hitting George Bailey who is no stranger to clearing the ropes and a brilliant fielder.
Birmingham Bears lifted the trophy last time around
Conclusion
Several strong line ups but I take Birmingham Bears to retain their title at home on August 29. Nottinghamshire Outlaws look a safe bet to push them hard. Lancashire, and at a good price Northamptonshire (25-1) make some appeal as well.
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