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Somerset were bundled out for 103 before Derbyshire raced into a handy lead, despite the spin and bounce afforded Piyush Chawla on a first-day pitch

David Lloyd at Taunton03-Sep-2013
ScorecardTim Groenewald’s five wickets helped skittle Somerset•Getty Images

These are deeply worrying times for Somerset. They are in serious bother on the field after the first day of this relegation dogfight – and they could yet be in big trouble off it because of official concern over a dry pitch that turned and bounced significantly from the moment the home spinners set to work.”It is being monitored,” umpire David Millns confirmed, adding that ECB pitch inspector Bill Hughes had been in attendance throughout three spell-binding sessions. Presumably, Hughes wants to see more on Wednesday but even the hint of a points deduction will alarm home supporters.Not that Somerset’s followers are sitting anything like comfortably anyway after Derbyshire had deservedly earned a handy advantage through their diligent seamers and determined batsmen. If momentum means anything (and events here suggest that idea is overrated) then the hosts should have been on a high from the outset after their terrific win against Middlesex last week, while the visitors were surely downcast following a defeat by Surrey that dumped them to the foot of the table.Forget all that, though. Revitalised by the return of leading pace bowler Tim Groenewald, who missed the Surrey match because of paternity leave, and strengthened further by the arguably overdue recall of Tony Palladino, Derbyshire’s pacemen feasted on some all-too-familiar frailties in the Somerset batting department to claim nine wickets between them.New dad Groenewald picked up his third five-for during another super-consistent season while Palladino – who has battled side and abdominal injuries this year but was then left out during the second half of August when fit – removed three of Somerset’s top four in his 4 for 34.From scoring 449 last week, Somerset were bundled out for barely 100 just after lunch. When Derbyshire then laboured to 127 for 5, and both Piyush Chawla and fellow spinner Jack Leach were causing big problems with turn and bounce, Somerset’s total did not look quite so feeble. Richard Johnson and Tom Poynton broke free from the shackles, though, to earn their team an already significant advantage with a splendid unbeaten stand of 93 for the sixth wicket.Marcus Trescothick has had a nightmare or two with the toss this summer, most obviously when he chose to bat first at Horsham and his team were bowled out for 76. But although this pitch is green-tinged for most of its length, there was no reason for the home captain not to take first use – especially as both ends are dry and made for spinners.Trouble was, Somerset failed horribly to build the big first innings they had set their sights on. The new ball appeared to do next to nothing for eight overs. Then, as morning cloud rolled in, it did start to move around a little off the seam but, even so, there were too many gifts going Derbyshire’s way.Trescothick, edging a back of a length delivery to third slip, Nick Compton – nicking one that left him late – and Chris Jones, well taken low down by keeper Poynton, could be said to have been ‘got out’ to a greater or lesser extent. But, thereafter, good judgement was in short supply.Craig Kieswetter inexplicably drove flamboyantly to mid-off, having just sliced a boundary and offered a sharp return catch off the previous two balls. Alex Barrow did not offer a shot of any kind to lose his off stump and James Hildreth went lbw, trying to work to leg when he should have been playing straight.Despite those bloopers, and a couple more than soon followed, it would be wrong not to give Groenewald and Palladino – aided and abetted by Mark Footitt – huge credit for keeping foot firmly on throat. Their only tiny disappointment was in not limiting Somerset to two figures, but Chawla takes a bit of containing and Groenewald did the trick before much damage was done.In what may yet be a low-scoring game, an opening stand of 52 between Ben Slater and Paul Borrington looks good from a Derbyshire perspective – and depressing for Somerset, given that Borrington offered a difficult, high chance to keeper Kieswetter before there was a run on the board.It did not appear too costly, however, once Chawla began to make the ball turn and bounce – something both he and Leach did from the moment they were set loose. Whether the assistance they gained was excessive for the first afternoon of a Championship match, the officials must decide. But, in any event, Johnson and Poynton started to take matters into their own hands with increasingly aggressive innings.Their fightback started, really, once Johnson hoisted Chawla for a straight six – a shot which put the ball out of the ground and meant that a replacement had to be summoned. From then on, the spinners seemed to lose their magic and both batsmen celebrated half-centuries before the close.

Michael Hussey has said his team is ready to face Harbhajan Singh, who has had confrontations with Australians in the past, when they take on India in the Super Eights in Colombo

Daniel Brettig26-Sep-2012No Australian Twenty20 team has been as aggressive in word or deed as the one about to face India in a critical Super Eights match at the World T20. So there is understandable anticipation about the rejoining of an old battle with Harbhajan Singh, famously provocative in the past but so far this tournament doing more with the ball than with his choice of words.Australia showed plenty of intent in the field in their opening match against Ireland, David Warner and Shane Watson particularly active in their efforts to rile the opposition. Watson later said this was part of how the team “gets up” for a serious contest. Any attempts at a similar approach against the West Indies were momentarily silenced by the blazing bats of Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels before George Bailey’s team notched a rain-assisted victory.Harbhajan’s recall was always likely to tempt another encounter with Australia, a team with which he has a history of confrontation and controversy, not least the 2008 Sydney Test match and its aftermath. While his striking display against England suggested a Harbhajan more focused on his bowling than anything else, the sight of the green and gold may stir that old familiar feeling.Michael Hussey, a witness to much of the aforementioned history, said he expected Harbhajan to resume his famously provocative ways, and counselled his younger teammates to remain true to themselves in dealing with any verbal confrontations.”I prefer to walk away and not worry about it,” Hussey said. “If he [Harbhajan] wants to use his energy up sledging and carrying on, that’s fine. Some other guys really thrive on it. Davey Warner, he likes a little bit of interaction out there and it gets him going.”So I don’t think there is a right way or wrong way to handle it but I think it’s up to the individual to know he’s going to try these tactics so you’ve got to be ready for it, and be sure it doesn’t affect your concentration but handle it in your own way. I just think let him [Warner] go, let him play his way. That’s what has given him success so far.”The match against India is the first of a testy trio that also features South Africa and Pakistan, leaving Hussey to reason that a first-up victory would ease a great deal of pressure from the team’s shoulders.”If we can win that first one in the Super Eights, it does give you that confidence and that little buffer that you know you just need one out of the last two to get through,” Hussey said. “It’s pretty much an early grand final really in the context of the tournament. But that relaxed attitude is important as well. We need to make sure we’re not too tense.”All the [batsmen] are playing well in the nets and they’ve got a lot of confidence, and that’s a big part of Twenty20. You need to have no doubts in your mind or fears, you’ve got to trust yourself and let your instincts take over.”The coach Mickey Arthur treated Australia’s player to two days off after their qualification for the next phase, though he then extracted a measure of recompense by pushing the players through a decidedly rigorous Tuesday training session.”We have had a few relaxing days but I expect that’s all about to end,” Hussey said. “Training yesterday [Tuesday] was very long and pretty intense and a welcome back to reality really. The pressure and tension are only going to rise as we get closer to that India match because it’s a huge game.”

Andy Flower will miss his first match since taking over as England team director when he sits out the one-day international against Ireland in Dublin

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Aug-2011Andy Flower will miss his first match since taking over as England team director when he sits out the one-day international against Ireland in Dublin. The match takes place three days after the final Test against India, at The Oval, and Richard Halsall, the fielding coach, will be in charge of the team.When Flower signed his new deal with the ECB in May it was widely believed that the subject of him taking a break from the demands of the job was considered although nothing was written into the contract. In many ways Flower’s role is more intense than the players’ because he has to plot and plan for the next challenge and is involved with all three formats.The only time Flower has missed any of England’s cricket since taking the top job were the second and third days of the first Test against Australia, at Brisbane, when he underwent surgery to remove a melanoma from below his right eye. Halsall took charge of the team in Flower’s absence which gave a clear indication of the contingency plans in place.Flower will rejoin the squad ahead of the Twenty20 international against India, at Old Trafford, on August 31 which is then followed by five one-day internationals. Two additional Twenty20s have now been added to the end of the season against West Indies, to help fulfil contractual obligations following the loss of the Stanford games, before the team fly to India for a one-day series in early October.England then have their longest break of recent times before Christmas when they aren’t in action during November and December. However, after the festive season the demands increase again with a full tour against Pakistan in UAE followed by a short series in Sri Lanka. It remains to be seen whether Flower fits in any further breaks before the start of another full summer in 2012.

The six major associations in New Zealand have announced their list of 12 contracted players for the 2010-11 season

Cricinfo staff24-Aug-2010The six major associations in New Zealand have announced their list of 12 contracted players for the 2010-11 season.Auckland: Michael Bates, Andrew De Boorder, Colin De Grandhomme, Dusan Hakaraia, Roneel Hira, Anaru Kitchen, Jimmy Neesham, Jeet Raval, Gareth Shaw, Lance Shaw, Bhupinder Singh, Greg ToddNote – Johann Myburgh was included in the original 11 contracts offered by Auckland Cricket but subsequently declined the offer to pursue a playing career in England.Canterbury: Corey Anderson, Todd Astle, Hamish Bennett, Dean Brownlie, Andrew Ellis, Carl Frauenstein, Peter Fulton, Rob Nicol, Michael Papps, Richard Sherlock, Shanan Stewart, Reece YoungCentral Districts: Doug Bracewell, Brendon Diamanti, Jamie How, Peter Ingram, Michael Mason, Mitchell McClenaghan, Tarun Nethula, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Brad Patton, Mathew Sinclair, Kruger van Wyk, Tim WestonNorthern Districts: Graeme Aldridge, Jono Boult, Trent Boult, Anton Devcich, Daniel Flynn, James Marshall, Peter McGlashan, Michael Parlane, Bradley Scott, Anurag Verma, Brad Wilson, Joseph YovichWellington: Harry Boam, Josh Brodie, Dewayne Bowden, Matthew Bell, Leighton Burtt, James Franklin, Mark Gillespie, Cameron Merchant, Neal Parlane, Joe Austin-Smellie, Malaesaili Tugaga, Luke WoodcockOtago: Nick Beard, Darren Broom, Neil Broom, Anthony Bullick, Ian Butler, Craig Cumming, Derek de Boorder, Shaun Haig, Warren McSkimming, Aaron Redmond, Neil Wagner, Sam Wells

Surrey’s go-slow at Taunton backfires as lead closes to eight points

ECB Reporters Network12-Sep-2024Spinners Archie Vaughan and Jack Leach sparked a dramatic late Surrey collapse as Somerset boosted hopes of a first ever Vitality County Championship title with a thrilling 111-run win over the Division One leaders at Taunton.Chasing 221 to win on a turning pitch, Surrey were bowled out for 109 with less than five minutes left in the game, 18-year-old Vaughan claiming five for 38 and match figures of 11 for 140, while Leach finished with five for 37. Only Dom Sibley (56) and Ben Foakes (20) offered prolonged resistance, but their fourth-wicket stand of 49 in 29 overs looked to have secured a draw before seven wickets fell for 14 runs at the end.Somerset had extended their second innings score from an overnight 194 for fine to 224 all out, thanks to more heroics from the injured Tom Banton, last man out for 46, and Craig Overton, unbeaten on 49 after an unlikely stand of 71, which gave their side genuine hope of victory.They claimed 21 points from the game to Surrey’s five and closed the gap at the top of the table to just eight points with two matches to play.The final day began with the sight of Banton limping slowly out to bat with a runner, as he had done the previous evening. After two balls, he had to drag his damaged ankle back to the pavilion again as rain interrupted play.A resumption at 11.05am, with eight overs lost, saw Overton and Banton bring up a half-century partnership off 61 balls. The most extraordinary of Banton’s six fours came when he reverse swept Shakib Al Hasan, despite severely limited foot movement.The memorable 65-ball innings ended when Shakib found a way through Banton’s defence and bowled him, leaving Overton one short of a deserved fifty, after facing 78 balls and occupying the crease for two hours and 16 minutes.
Surrey were left with a tricky 13 overs to bat before lunch, but Rory Burns and Sibley negotiated it with skill and calmness. The pattern continued after another shower had delayed the restart until 1.20pm, with three more overs lost.But as the effects of the roller began to wear off, the ball began to turn sharply and Vaughan struck a double blow in the 22nd over, having Burns caught behind for 15 and then bowling Ryan Patel for a third-ball duck. At the other end, Leach beat Ben Geddes with three successive deliveries in the 29th over.Geddes’ luck ran out in Leach’s next over when he was pinned lbw and at 46 for three, Surrey were in a deepening hole. Sibley and Foakes abandoned any attacking intent and met the nagging accuracy of Somerset’s spinners with a spell of solid defence, bringing 50 up in the 38th over.Both were quick to make for the pavilion when rain started falling again at 2.45pm with the score 63 for three. Tea was taken with Sibley unbeaten on 38.The final session began at 3.20pm with another three overs lost. Leach continued to probe and beat the outside edge, but after 44 consecutive overs of spin, teenager Vaughan took a break and was replaced by Craig Overton.
Brett Randell then replaced Leach, who had sent down 14 maidens in 24 overs. After a few overs of seam, the spinners changed ends in a final Somerset throw of the dice, Leach switching to the River End.A swept single off Vaughan took Sibley to a 165-ball half-century that perfectly suited the situation. But then Foakes edged Leach to Lewis Gregory at first slip and when Sibley’s defiance ended in similar fashion in the left-armer’s next over, panic set in for the visitors.Gregory claimed a third slip catch to send back Shakib and give Vaughan his ninth wicket of the match. It became ten when Tom Curran aimed to cut the 18-year-old and got an inside edge onto his stumps.Cameron Steel fell lbw to Vaughan and Surrey were eight down with a minimum of nine overs remaining. Jordan Clark and Kemar Roach ran down the overs with an obdurate partnership before Clark was bowled by Vaughan for a 47-ball duck.Last man Dan Worrall came out to be surrounded by close fielders and lasted just two balls before Leach dismissed him leg before to spark wild celebrations among team-mates and supporters.

The West Indies legspinner was struck in the face while training

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Jun-2023West Indies legspinner Yannic Cariah has undergone a surgery to repair a fracture in his nose. He suffered the injury when he was struck in the face during a training session on Saturday on the eve of West Indies’ first game of the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe.The surgery took place in Harare yesterday, and Cariah will remain with the squad under the care of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) medical team, the board said in a statement.CWI said that a decision on when he will be available to play again will be made in the next few days based on how he recovers.Related

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West Indies assistant coach Floyd Reifer was also struck in the face during training on Wednesday and underwent a similar procedure. He will continue his coaching duties while under the supervision of the medical team, the board said.Led by Shai Hope, West Indies have started their World Cup qualifying campaign with two wins and are all but in the Super Sixes stage.In their first game, West Indies successfully defended 297 against USA.Then, against Nepal, centuries from Hope and Nicholas Pooran laid the platform for a 101-run thrashing.They take on Zimbabwe in their next game, tomorrow, and then face Netherlands in their last game of the group stage on Monday.

Leicestershire lose three cheap wickets in response to visitors’ first-innings 348

ECB Reporters Network08-Apr-2022An unbeaten century by Brett D’Oliveira in his first match as club captain put Worcestershire in a strong position after two days of their opening LV= County Championship match against Leicestershire.The 30-year-old allrounder, handed the job after Joe Leach stepped down at the end of last season, compiled a fine, measured innings to finish on 118 not out as the visitors to the Uptonsteel County Ground posted a first-innings total of 348. At the close, Leicestershire were 42 for 3 in reply, having been six for three after Leach and Charlie Morris took early wickets with the new ball.D’Oliveira had survived a difficult chance at third slip on 3 on the first evening but otherwise played superbly, backed up by half-centuries from Leach (70) and Ed Barnard (57). His innings spanned almost six hours.He is the first member of a distinguished cricketing dynasty to be officially appointed captain, an honour bestowed on neither his grandfather, the celebrated England batter and first-team coach Basil, nor his late father, the allrounder and former academy director Damian.He led the side when Leach was injured during the 2018 season and was skipper in place of Moeen Ali when Worcestershire Rapids won the Vitality Blast the same season and finished as runners-up the following year. But he described being given the role in his own name as the fulfilment of a boyhood dream and looked to the heavens in an emotional celebration on reaching his hundred, the ninth of his career in first-class matches.It came after he had punished a short, wide ball from the South African pace bowler Beuran Hendricks with the 14th of his 16 fours, having also lofted a six off left-arm spinner Callum Parkinson.After Worcestershire resumed at 118 for 4 following a rain-disrupted opening day, D’Oliveira played the anchor role in a stand of 94 with Barnard, who struck nine fours in a 65-ball half-century before falling leg before to Ed Barnes, who followed up quickly by having Ben Cox caught behind.At 155 for 6, Worcestershire’s innings looked vulnerable, but Leach found the offside boundary off his third ball and the alliance of captain and former captain prospered for 31 overs either side of lunch, adding 127. Leach passed fifty with his ninth boundary off 71 balls but when he tried to sweep Ackermann to the long boundary on the Milligan Road side he miscued his stroke and Barnes, at deep square leg, ran forward to take the catch.Barnes had Josh Baker leg before to join Wright in taking three wickets in the innings before Ben Mike wrapped up by bowling Morris middle stump and having Dillon Pennington caught behind.Leicestershire made a calamitous start to their reply, left rocking at 6 for 3 with Sam Evans bowled by Leach not offering a stroke and both George Rhodes and Hassan Azad falling to spectacular catches.Wicketkeeper Cox completed the first, one-handed diving to his right, on the rebound, after Barnard had failed to hold an edge by Rhodes off Morris to third slip, and Baker the second, a low grab to his left at fourth slip, as Azad edged Leach.Lewis Hill survived a chance to second slip off Morris on 15 before rain ended an extended day 20.4 overs early.

Sam Curran shone with the ball before England chased down their target with four balls to spare

George Dobell27-Nov-2020Jonny Bairstow’s highest T20I score carried England to a final-over victory over South Africa in the first T20I in Cape Town.Most players perform at their best when they feel valued and secure. But others – notably Kevin Pietersen in 2012 – seem to be at their best when they have a point to prove.Bairstow appears to fit into this second category. Having forged an excellent reputation as an opener in ODI cricket, he would have been understandably disappointed to be demoted to No. 4 in the T20I team as England preferred Jason Roy and Jos Buttler at the top of the order. Having already seen his Test career falter after he was asked to move up the order and relinquish the gloves, he could be forgiven wondering if history might be repeating itself.But from his first delivery – when he quite beautifully threaded the field with a dab to the third man boundary – he looked in imperious touch. And if there were times he hit the ball murderously hard – a heaved six over long-on off the back foot from deep inside the crease off Tabraiz Shamsi – there were also moments, such as when he guided the ball behind point with precision, when he demonstrated his touch and timing.England were in some trouble during Bairstow’s early moments at the crease. While South Africa made 57 for 1 in their six-over Powerplay, England were restricted to just 34 for 3, with all those promoted above Bairstow dismissed.For a while, as Bairstow and Ben Stokes thrashed the ball around Cape Town, memories were revived of their vast stand of 399 in the New Year Test of 2016. On this occasion they added 85 off 8.4 overs, until Stokes heaved a long-hop down the throat of long-on and England’s innings stalled. With 25 balls remaining, they still required 55.But a nine-ball over from Beuran Hendricks – the 17th of the innings – was taken for 28 runs by Bairstow to put England back on track. And while Lungi Ngidi conceded just five and took the wicket of Eoin Morgan from the 18th, the nerveless Sam Curran thrashed his second ball for six off the faultless Kagiso Rabada to keep England in the hunt.Even then there were seven required from the final over. But with Bairstow pulling the first ball of the over for four and carting the second for six over mid-on, England clinched a five-wicket victory with four deliveries remaining.Whether this proves Bairstow’s point – that he belongs at the top of the order – or the team management’s – that he can play an important role in the middle-order – is debatable. But by producing a high-class innings and also seeing his side home, Bairstow must have gone a long way towards making his place in the side safe.Linde’s fine startGiven the pace options available to South Africa, you wonder how much time England gave to thinking about the left-arm spin of George Linde ahead of this match. As it happened, though, Anrich Nortje – the quickest bowler at the IPL – was omitted so South Africa could include two spinners in Linde and Shamsi.Linde, on T20I debut, enjoyed a particularly impressive day. Bowling two overs in the Powerplay, including the first of the innings, he gained a surprising amount of turn and, having dismissed Jason Roy, edging an attempted cut, from the second ball of the innings, had the world’s top-rated T20I batsman, Dawid Malan (brilliantly) caught sweeping a few minutes later. In all, he conceded just 20 runs from his four overs – the most economical return in the match – and contributed with that bat, too, hitting 12 from six deliveries at the death.Tom Curran fails to take chanceAt the start of this year, Mark Wood bowled with such pace and hostility in South Africa – albeit in Test cricket – that it seemed hard to imagine a scenario where England would leave him out. Since then, however, he’s spent more time carrying drinks than charging in and was recently given just a limited-overs central contract. Sometimes it seems England don’t appreciate quite what a gem they have in Wood.Sure enough, he was left out again here. But, in a funny way, his case for selection might have been made for him by the struggles of the man who won the nod ahead of him. For Tom Curran conceded 55 here – his worst T20I figures – including four sixes. None of his colleagues conceded more than one six and there were only seven in the South African innings.Curran started well enough. His first ove in the Powerplay cost only three. But his second was plundered for 24 – the most expensive of his T20I career – as Faf du Plessis appeared to target him.It wasn’t that he bowled especially poorly. It was more that, without the extra pace offered by the likes of Wood, his control of length has to be immaculate. But here he bowled either short or on a length and, without much variation from his cutters, was carted for each of those sixes over the leg side. With England using this series in the hope of settling upon a T20 World Cup line-up, it may have proved an expensive evening for Tom Curran.Sam Curran shinesIt was a much better day for Sam Curran. After winning the race for selection against Moeen Ali – in truth, after the impressive IPL Curran enjoyed, he was always going to play – he took the new ball and took a wicket in the first over. His two Powerplay overs cost a respectable 13, with four of those runs coming from an edge just wide of slip.But it was his bowling when he returned for the 14th over that was most impressive. Going round wicket, cramping the batsmen for room and demanding they attempt to hit to the longest boundary, he claimed two more wickets – his 3 for 28 was the best return of his brief T20I career – with an accurate and surprisingly sharp bouncer complemented by cutters that left the batsmen struggling to settle against him. Later, his six from the penultimate over calmed England’s nerves just as it appeared South Africa could hold on.Afterwards Curran reasoned that the regular cricket he had enjoyed at the IPL going into this series had given him something of an advantage in terms of rhythm. But it was another remarkably mature performance from a 22-year-old who already seems to have been around for years.

Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen and Lutho Sipamla ran through the hosts’ line-up, reducing them to 161 for 3 to 178 for 9, picking three wickets each

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Sep-201925 overs a sideShikhar Dhawan showcased his fluency with a 52 off 43, but that was not enough for India A as they lost to South Africa A by four runs after failing to chase a DLS-adjusted target of 193 in the fourth one-dayer in Thiruvananthapuram. South Africa A quicks Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen and Lutho Sipamla ran through the hosts’ line-up, reducing them to 161 for 3 to 178 for 9, picking three wickets each.Resuming from 57 for 1 on the reserve day, needing 136 from 104 balls, India’s second-wicket pair of Dhawan and Prashant Chopra added a 79-run stand before Sipamla struck to remove the latter. Dhawan, who had scored more freely the previous day, played with more caution but fell shortly after bringing up his fifty to Jansen.With the asking rate climbing, Shivam Dube joined captain Shreyas Iyer, and the duo went for some big hits, including scoring 23 runs off a Sipamla over in their 51-run stand. But in the very next over, they both lost their wickets within a space of three balls to Nortje.Shikhar Dhawan steers one into the leg side•Getty Images

A collapse ensued as the next four batsmen fell in the space of 20 balls. Rahul Chahar at No. 9 battled alone, but couldn’t take India over the line as they finished at 188 for 9 at the end of 25 overs.Earlier, the visitors rode on Reeza Hendricks’ unbeaten 60 off 70 to post 137 for 1 in 25 overs.Opener Matthew Breetzke was the only one dismissed, for a 31-ball 25 that included two sixes and a four, legspinner Chahar accounting for him. Heinrich Klaasen blasted a 12-ball 21 that included three sixes to provide a late impetus. Klaasen arrived after captain Temba Bavuma retired hurt on 28.So far all four matches of the series, in which India A already have an unassailable lead, have been rain-affected.

ESPNcricinfo previews the teams in the South Group for the Vitality T20 Blast

David Hopps02-Jul-2018

Essex Eagles

T20 best: SF 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013
2017: 8th, South Group; Run rate 8.70; Economy rate 8.58
Captain: Ryan ten Doeschate
Coach: Anthony McGrath
Overseas Players: Neil Wagner (NZ), Adam Zampa (Aus), Peter Siddle (Aus)Essex, perpetually nearly men, had qualified from the group stages five times in a row until last season’s blip and the addition to the coaching staff of Dimitri Mascarenhas, recently coach to the Melbourne Renegades, aims to recover that reputation. They also field a legspinner they have long yearned for – Australian Adam Zampa is available throughout. One fact not widely appreciated is that Varun Chopra was in the top three six hitters last season, quite a feat for an orthodox batsman not known for brutish strength. With their Championship defence misfiring, some raucous nights at Fortress Chelmsford could come at a good time.One to watch: Zampa was described in one Australian newspaper as “a deep-thinking vegan warrior” which might come as a shock on a raucous Friday night at Fortress Chelmsford. His primary task is to take wickets in the middle overs and he comes with a wealth of T20 experience. Eager to prove his worth, he has been warming up with a month’s club cricket in the Essex League for Brentwood.In a word: Unfulfilledbet365: 12

Glamorgan

T20 best: SF 2004, 2017
2017: SF; RR 8.82; ER 8.50
Captain: Colin Ingram
Coach: Robert Croft
Overseas Players: Usman Khawaja (Aus), Shaun Marsh (Aus)Which Glamorgan are we about to see? Will it be the county which reached the semi-finals in 2017 and, powered by Colin Ingram, were championed as the most dangerous white-ball side in the county’s history, or will it be the county that has had a nightmarish season in both Championship and 50-over cricket as efforts to build a team with a strong Welsh flavour have proved such a difficult challenge? Ingram’s 59 sixes last season won recognition as the PCA’s T20 Blast Player of the Year and attracted interest from Australia and Pakistan. Now captain and white-ball specialist, his task is to build a Glamorgan side in his own image.One to watch: Andrew Salter has long regarded as a natural successor to Robert Croft, his county coach, as a run-making offspinner and some useful overs would be of great benefit to a Glamorgan side that convinces more in batting than bowling.In a word:Yearningbet365: 18Michael Klinger flicks into the leg side•Getty Images

Gloucestershire

T20 best: BF 2007
2017: 9th, South Group; RR 7.53; ER 7.87
Captain: Michael Klinger
Coach: Richard Dawson
Overseas Players: Michael Klinger (Aus), Andrew Tye (Aus)Michael Klinger retired entirely from first-class cricket in Australia earlier this year, but he has two more seasons as a T20 cricketer with Gloucestershire, where he has been one of the most productive and popular overseas cricketers of recent years. He faces a considerable task to rally a Gloucestershire side that finished bottom last year and which looks short on star quality. Ryan Higgins, a shrewd acquisition from Middlesex, has proved himself more than just a batsman who makes things happen by improving his medium-paced swing bowling so much that he finds himself top of the county’s Championship averages: Gloucestershire need some exciting nights from him.One to watch: Benny Howell is one of English cricket’s most underrated T20 cricketers and that frustrates him so much that he even took to the pages of magazine to present himself as worthy of an international cap. Howell, who learned his change-ups by studying baseball pitchers, is likely again to prove himself one of the most skilful and economical T20 bowlers around.In a word: Resourcefulbet365: 20

ESPNcricinfo top four prediction

Surrey
Hampshire
Essex
Sussex

Hampshire

T20 best: Winners 2010, 2012
2017: SF; RR 8.44; ER 8.17
Captain: James Vince
Coach: Craig White
Overseas Players: Colin Munro (NZ), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afg), Dale Steyn (SA)Hampshire have made seven Finals Day appearances, more than any other county, and disposed of Kent over 50 overs in the Royal London Cup final on Saturday. It would be no surprise to see them follow up with the Blast. The Ageas Bowl should fairly be bouncing, such is the talent on show. The replacement of George Bailey and Shahid Afridi with Colin Munro and Mujeeb Ur Rahman gives the squad a more youthful feel and Sam Northeast brings more vigour to the middle order. James Vince has been in dreamlike batting form since his England omission and Reece Topley is desperate to reassert himself with the ball. Mason Crane’s fitness is a worry.One to watch: Discovering how Afghan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, only 17, copes with a summer of T20 in England will be one of the great delights. No spinner with more than 10 wickets had a better average at the IPL this year and his ability to bowl off and leg spin identifies him as the most exciting teenager around.In a word: Eminentbet365: 8Darren Stevens bowls against Essex•Getty Images

Kent Spitfires

T20 best: Winners 2007
2017: 6th South Group; RR 8.63; ER 8.88
Captain: Sam Billings
Coach: Matt Walker
Overseas Players: Adam Milne (NZ), Carlos Brathwaite (WI), Marcus Stoinis (AUS)Canterbury is one of the sleepier T20 venues with indifferent advance ticket sales. They deserve a rush of enthusiasm because they have one of the most exciting batting line-ups in the country even without Northeast, who upped sticks to join Hampshire with a few sideswipes at what he regarded as old-fashioned committee ways. It has to be said that Kent have responded to his absence in positive fashion, on and off the field. The batting form of Heino Kuhn and Joe Denly swept Kent to the Royal London Cup final, and the skipper Sam Billings is back from IPL and England duties, but the seam attack is vulnerable and James Tredwell’s long-term shoulder injury puts a lot of spin bowling responsibility on Imran Qayyum.One to watch: Darren Stevens, at 42, fills every club cricketer with hope as they imagine if only they could match his guile and control then, at between 65 and 70mph, they to could become one of the stalwarts of the county circuit. Add his 3,128 runs at a strike rate of 141.92 and it is little wonder that Stevens is held in such regard. If this really is his final season, he deserves a great send-off on every ground he plays on.In a word:Unbalancedbet365: 16

Middlesex

T20 best: Winners 2008
2017: 7th South Group; RR 8.34; ER 8.41
Captain: Dawid Malan
Coach: Daniel Vettori
Overseas Players: Ashton Agar (Aus), Dwayne Bravo (WI)Much was made last season about the recruitment of Daniel Vettori as coach and Brendon McCullum as part-time captain, but the outcome was much as ever as Middlesex, often disappointing in the decade since they won the trophy, finished seventh. Vettori, who has also overseen some modest seasons at Royal Challengers Bangalore, is back again, this time overseas recruitment consisting of Dwayne Bravo and an Australian version of Vettori himself, if somewhat less hirsute – Ashton Agar. Middlesex will hope to be in contention when Eoin Morgan returns from England duties: his record last season of one fifty in 14 goes (average below 23, strike rate below 130) lacked the inspiration Middlesex need from an England captain and questioned his ability to mentally attune to the county game.One to watch: Ireland’s uncomplicated strokemaker Paul Stirling had a brilliant 50-over competition, making three hundreds in eight innings and averaging 73.57 at strike rate of 89.25. His impact at the top of the order will be crucial.In a word: Disappointingbet365: 14Corey Anderson gave Surrey a scare•Getty Images

Somerset

T20 best: Winners 2005
2017: QF; RR 9.04; ER 8.75
Captain: Lewis Gregory
Coach: Andy Hurry
Overseas Players: Corey Anderson (NZ)Somerset only field one overseas player and Corey Anderson, the New Zealand allrounder, is back to complete his “unfinished business” after his 2017 season was interrupted by a back injury while bowling his first over of the campaign, against Surrey at Kia Oval: he worked off his frustration by slamming 81 from 45 balls and managed four matches. Somerset’s impressive young Championship skipper, Tom Abell, steps down for Lewis Gregory in T20 which is not ideal with Gregory’s future still in doubt. Some high-scoring matches are in store at Taunton, but Somerset might be pushed to repeat last season’s quarter-final. Legspinner Max Waller is a homegrown T20 specialist.One to watch: Quite which of Somerset’s young batsmen will get opportunities in the Blast is uncertain, but if George Bartlett finds himself on the team sheet ahead of Fin Tremouth and Tom Banton he will not be overawed. Bartlett, who struck the highest overseas score by an England U-19 batsman last year – 179 against India in Nagpur – has followed up this season with a maiden Championship hundred and has shown flashes of great promise as a top-order batsman.In a word: Entertainingbet365: 12

Surrey

T20 best: Winners 2003
2017: QF; RR 8.49; ER 8.65
Captain: Jade Dernbach
Coach: Michael Di Venuto
Overseas Players: Aaron Finch (Aus), Nic Maddinson (Aus)Surrey should once again have bragging rights among the two London counties and packed crowds at Kia Oval should be rewarded with a last-eight place. The presence of Morne Morkel on a two-year Kolpak deal has allowed Surrey to major on two overseas batsmen: the Australians Aaron Finch and Nic Maddinson, who headed Sydney Sixers’ run charts in last season’s Big Bash. Youngster Will Jacks might also force his way in. Jade Dernbach, quite the trusted old pro these days, skippers an attack based on the two Curran brothers, England calls notwithstanding. Gareth Batty, overshadowed in the Championship these days by Amar Virdi, will be hankering for a scrap or two.One to watch: Ollie Pope’s invention created a favourable impression when he broke into Surrey’s T20 side last summer and since then his reputation has leapt ahead with three centuries and an average of 93 in the Championship. England is drowning in talented batsman-keepers and Pope’s exuberance has already won him a host of admirers.In a word: Exhilaratingbet365: 7Jofra Archer shows off his athleticism as he puts out a sliding stop•BCCI

Sussex Sharks

T20 best: Winners 2009
2017: 5th; RR 8.63; ER 8.31
Captain: Luke Wright
Coach: Jason Gillespie
Overseas Players: Rashid Khan (Afg), Tom Bruce (NZ)No county possesses a more talented bowling attack than Sussex – indeed, if they all stay fit, fitting them all in the side might be the biggest challenge for the coach, Jason Gillespie. The IPL-tested trio of Jofra Archer, Chris Jordan and Tymal Mills, the parsimonious left-arm spin of Danny Briggs and the teenaged Afghan leg-break bowler Rashid Khan (who might limit opportunities for Will Beer) are just for starters. Sussex’s major task will be to make enough runs which makes the New Zealander Tom Bruce, who replaces the injured Stiaan van Zyl, the most vital player of all in an XI that will need to bat deep and has the capacity to do so.One to watch: Laurie Evans is likely to take over the top-order role that Chris Nash, now at Nottinghamshire, performed so successfully for many years. Evans topped the batting averages in the 50-over competition and he will also be crucial to Sussex’s chances.In a word: Panachebet365: 7