Leicestershire Foxes v Notts Outlaws T20 preview

While England’s footballers will explore the definition of a “must-win” game tonight in Brazil, two East Midlands teams meet at Grace Road knowing more than just local pride is at stake.

Leicestershire currently lie eighth in the North Group having won just one NatWest T20 Blast match this summer, while Nottinghamshire sit one place higher in seventh having won just two of their five matches. Both sides therefore know a win is imperative this evening if they harness any realistic hope of progressing in the competition.

The Outlaws are without batsman Michael Lumb, who is sidelined for four weeks with an arm injury. The opener capped 27 times by England in T20 internationals picked up the injury during Nottinghamshire’s remarkable six-wicket win over Middlesex in the County Championship on Tuesday. Australian Phil Jaques is drafted into the squad as his replacement, while former-Foxes stars James Taylor and Harry Gurney are likely to play against their old county.

The Foxes meanwhile welcome back seam bowler Nathan Buck, who made a successful return from injury in their County Championship defeat to Worcestershire this week. The 23-year-old injured a finger in the T20 match against the Rapids and missed the defeat to Lancashire, but he is back in the squad after taking five Worcestershire wickets in the second innings midweek.

Neither side will be particularly happy with their results in the competition so far this summer, Leicestershire having lost four on the bounce since they defeated Derbyshire by 27 runs in their opening fixture. Although Nottinghamshire also managed to beat Derbyshire at the beginning of the month, they will be pleased to be playing away from Trent Bridge, having lost three successive T20 matches at home – to Birmingham, Durham and Worcestershire.

The last time the two teams met was in the corresponding fixture at Grace Road last season, which the Foxes won by seven wickets thanks to a knock of 67* by their skipper Josh Cobb. Nottinghamshire won the other T20 match between the pair last year, chasing down Leicestershire’s 183-8 inside 18 overs at Trent Bridge. If these contests are anything to go by, the match this evening could be another run-fest, with both teams desperate for vital points.

Key Men

With Michael Lumb absent through injury, the onus to provide the impetus at the top of the batting order will fall on England T20 specialist Alex Hales. The 25-year-old is far from a one-trick pony however, as he demonstrated this week by posting scores of 96 and 94 in Nottinghamshire’s impressive County Championship victory against Middlesex. The in-form batsman has also made runs in the T20 Blast this summer, including a destructive 63 from 32 balls versus Derbyshire and 30 off 16 balls against Birmingham Bears last week.

Despite their poor run of form in the competition of late, the emergence of 21-year-old Tom Wells has been a big positive for the Foxes. A promising all-rounder, who is currently unable to bowl due to a side strain, Wells’ powerful strokeplay (eight sixes in five matches) has led to him becoming a key man in the Foxes middle-order. Currently averaging 70 in the competition this year, Wells made a half century (51) from 30 balls versus Warwickshire and 45* off 28 balls against Worcestershire at home this month.

Team News

Foxes seam bowler Nathan Buck returns to the squad for tonight’s match after his successful return from injury against Worcestershire this week. Dan Redfearn also comes into the squad, with batsman Michael Thornley and spinner James Sykes dropping out.

Leicestershire Foxes squad: Niall O’Brien, Josh Cobb, Greg Smith, Ned Eckersley, Matthew Boyce, Dan Redfern, Tom Wells, Ben Raine, Rob Taylor, Anthony Ireland, Jigar Naik, Nathan Buck, Charlie Shreck.

Outlaws Director of Cricket Mick Newell has added three players to the eleven he selected for last week’s home defeat to the Birmingham Bears. Australian batsman Phil Jaques replaces Michael Lumb, while Luke Fletcher and Sam Kelsall are also in contention.

Nottinghamshire Outlaws squad: Alex Hales, Phil Jaques, James Taylor, Samit Patel, Riki Wessels, Chris Read, Steven Mullaney, Sam Wood, Ajmal Shahzad, Andy Carter, Harry Gurney, Luke Fletcher, Sam Kelsall.

Form 

Leicestershire: LLLLW

Nottinghamshire: LWLLW

Weather and Conditions

A cloudy start to the day is expected in Leicester, however sunny intervals could intervene in time for the match. Highs of 19 degrees celsius.

Date: 19^th June 2014

Ground: Grace Road, Leicestershire

Time: 5.30 pm

Odds: Foxes (7/4) Outlaws (1/2)

 

 

Mitchell guides Rapids to victory against the Foxes

Worcestershire Rapids’ skipper Daryl Mitchell continued his fine form with the bat this season as he guided his team to a five-wicket victory against Leicestershire at Grace Road.

The 30-year-old played a classy but conventional knock rarely seen in the modern T20 format, making 67 from 50 balls including six boundaries and one six.

Needing eight off the final over, Mitchell clipped Rob Taylor’s first ball over square leg for six, before pumping the next ball down the ground to give the Rapids victory with four balls to spare.

Leicestershire had earlier made 164-4 from their 20 overs, with Tom Wells smashing 45* from 28 balls. Wells’ innings included four boundaries and two sixes, while Saeed Ajmal was the pick of the Worcestershire bowlers collecting figures of 2-23.

Worcestershire’s new signing Richard Oliver got the Rapids’ response off to a fast start, as the Shropshire minor counties skipper hit five boundaries off the first three overs, before he was bowled by Ben Raine for 22 (13 balls).

Youngster Thomas Kohler-Cadmore then continued the onslaught, taking Raine for ten off three balls as the Rapids ended the six over powerplay 57-1. He was then caught off Jigar Naik for 23 trying to scoop the ball over short fine leg.

Leicestershire attempted to put the squeeze on with spin from both ends, but the plan failed as Worcestershire’s second overseas player Colin Munro launched James Sykes for 17 off the tenth over.

The Rapids hundred came up in the eleventh over, before Munro was caught by Naik at third man off the pacey Nathan Buck from the final ball of the twelfth for 30. Kervezee was then dismissed by Taylor for 7 with the score at 131-4 and the required rate down to almost a run a ball with five overs left.

Mitchell continued his fine form this season by playing some fine orthodox cricket and even when partner Ross Whiteley departed for 13 in the penultimate over, the Rapids skipper held his nerve to guide the visitors to their third NatWest T20 Blast victory of the summer.

Leicestershire Foxes began their innings strongly thanks to some powerful hitting by opener Josh Cobb (27), who at one stage dispatched left-arm-seamer Jack Shantry (0-42) for 14 off three balls.

Shantry got his own-back however, taking a superb one-handed catch to remove Cobb off a slow-ball bouncer by Chris Russell (2-42). Cobb’s fellow opener Niall O’Brien had got off the mark with a five, but after hitting Chris Russell for six he was caught the next ball for 15.

Smith and Eckersley put on a partnership of 57 for the third wicket, before both were dismissed with the score on 90. Mitchell caught Smith off his own bowling for 24, before snaffling a low catch off Munro to remove Eckersley also for 24.

The pattern continued as Scott Styris and Tom Wells put on 52 for the fifth wicket before Worcestershire took two wickets in two balls. Ajmal had Kiwi Styris caught on the cover boundary for 27, before the Pakistan spinner trapped Rob Taylor lbw for a golden duck.

Wells then ensured the Foxes posted a strong total, as the 21-year-old smashed 19 off Chris Russell’s final over, including a huge six over long-on.

T20 Blast Off – Outlaws v Lightning preview

Trent Bridge plays host to what promises to be one of the most tantalising opening night encounters of the NatWest t20 Blast tonight.

Lancashire Lightning are the visitors to Nottingham, with both squads boasting some of the finest international talent England has to offer.

England’s swing-king James Anderson and wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler both feature in the Lightning squad, while the Outlaws boast an explosive line-up including former t20i number one Alex Hales, Michael Lumb, James Taylor and England new boy Harry Gurney.

Both sides were knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the tournament last year, but having won the ECB 40-over competition last season, the Outlaws are one of the bookies favourites to go all the way to the Edgbaston final.

Neither side has ever won the domestic t20 competition, with Notts finishing as runners-up in 2006 and making finals day in 2010. Lancashire’s best finish was also as runners-up in 2005 and they have also made finals day on four occasions, compared to Nottinghamshire’s two.

The two sides have already faced-off at Trent Bridge this season, with the home side winning the LVCC County Championship Division One match by 45 runs at the beginning of April. Ashwell Prince made a hundred for Lancashire in that match, while James Anderson and Tom Smith both picked up 5 wicket hauls. Nottinghamshire’s seamers shared the wickets around, while Samit Patel and Riki Wessels were both halted in the 90s.

Despite the rainy conditions in the county this week, Nottinghamshire come into the match off the back of a maximum points victory against Northants, in which Australian fast-bowler Peter Siddle and ex-England seamer Ajmal Shahzad both picked up four second innings wickets.

Lancashire on the other hand were defeated by ten wickets at Lord’s against Middlesex. There were some positives as Prince and Buttler continued their early season form with the bat, but the bowlers lacked potency with the ball.

Form in the four-day format will however go out of the window tonight, as one big performance from either of the sides’ international superstars could define the outcome of this game.

Key Men

Although he is yet to become a regular in their Championship side, Alex Hales is still the main man in the game’s shortest format. His breathtaking 116* to single-handedly guide England to victory over Sri Lanka in the World T20 back in March exemplified the sort of destruction he is capable of inflicting. Recalled from his brief loan spell at Worcestershire due to Steven Mullaney’s back injury, Hales was involved in their midweek win against Northamptonshire and he also made a half-century in the early win over Lancashire this summer.

Lightning signed England limited-overs wicketkeeper Jos Buttler from Somerset in the off-season, with the 23-year-old hoping the move might help him snatch the Test match gloves from Matt Prior. While the jury is still out regarding his suitability to the longer form, there is no argument about his one-day credentials. He is tidy with the gloves and utterly enthralling to watch with bat in hand. Buttler is well-known for his innovations and ability to manoeuvre the ball to all parts of the ground, but he also combines this with equally effective power hitting.

Team News

The Notts Outlaws include New-Zealand all-rounder in their squad for the match, while the fitness of seamer Andy Carter is a concern due to back pain. Director of Cricket Mick Newell will be forced to make a late call on the 25-year-old’s fitness, with Gurney, Adams, Shahzad and Luke Fletcher the likely seam attack. Steven Mullaney has recovered from a back strain and after scoring a hundred for the 2^nd XI he is likely to join Hales, Lumb, Taylor, Patel and Wessels in a formidable batting line-up.

Nottinghamshire Outlaws Squad:Alex Hales, Michael Lumb, James Taylor (C), Samit Patel, Riki Wessels, Chris Read, Steven Mullaney, Sam Wood, Ajmal Shahzad, Andy Carter, Harry Gurney, Luke Fletcher, Andre Adams

The Lightning have named a 13-man squad for the match at Trent Bridge, with coach/captain Glenn Chapple handing over the captaincy reigns to batsman Paul Horton. Pakistani overseas player Junaid Khan’s introduction has been delayed following difficulties obtaining his visa, although the left-arm fast bowler could make his Lightning return against Worcestershire Rapids at Emirates Old Trafford on Saturday night. Youngsters Clark, Lilley, White and Reece are likely to compete for the final spots in the eleven, with Alex Davies missing out due to Jos Buttler’s inclusion.

Lancashire Lightning Squad: Paul Horton (c), James Anderson, Karl Brown, Jos Buttler, Jordan Clark, Steven Croft, Alex Davies, Kabir Ali, Arron Lilley, Stephen Parry, Luis Reece, Tom Smith, Wayne White.

Weather and Conditions

The forecast is for overcast conditions but it should remain warm and dry. The possibility of humid weather could help the seam bowlers on a ground that has a reputation for assisting swing. This will please England duo Anderson and Gurney, who opened the bowling together against Scotland last week. The pair will however go head-to-head tonight and could be competing for a place in England’s limited-overs’ line-up against the touring Sri Lankans later this month.

Opta stat

Nottinghamshire Outlaws have won 38, tied one and lost 18 of their 57 completed home Twenty20 matches at Trent Bridge.

Date: 16th May 2014

Ground: Trent Bridge, Nottingham

Time: 6.30 pm 

Graeme Fowler impressed by Durham MCCU recovery at Derbyshire

Durham MCCU coach Graeme Fowler has praised his inexperienced side as they bounced back on the second day of their university match against Derbyshire.

The students were bowled out for only 67 on day one, but recovered well to dismiss the hosts for 428, before finishing 33-1 at the close.

Although his side conceded 71 runs in extras, the former Lancashire and England batsman was pleased to look at the bigger picture.

“Obviously we are a lot happier today than we were yesterday. The extras didn’t worry me too much because it is the first time they have been outside.

“They were rusty, dead nervous and they’ve never played this sort of cricket before.

“They’re vastly inexperienced and that’s what we do it for. It’s a massive thing for them and it’s a wonderful experience.

“It gives Derbyshire great practice and it’s part of the progressive pathway into first-class cricket.”

Durham have eight players making their first-class debuts in the match and the team has an average age of just 20.

And despite the criticism of pre-season university games, Fowler was quick to highlight the benefits for his players.

“If you look at the Derbyshire team, [Tony] Palladino and [David] Wainwright were both at university centres of excellence in the past.

“Andrew Strauss started at Durham University. It’s easy for people to forget that everybody starts somewhere.

“Some people say these games shouldn’t be first class and they are entitled to argue that. But we don’t do it for that, we do it because it’s part of the development pathway.”

With one day still left to play in the match, Durham are facing an uphill struggle to avoid defeat. But Fowler is hopeful his side might be able to snatch a draw.

“Last year, we came here and chased 400 in the second innings and ended up 20 short.

“We came here yesterday and Derbyshire treated us with respect. They won the toss, stuck us in and we got rolled over.

“If we can get out of this with a draw then we will have played exceptionally well.”

 

English Counties high points of the season – 2013

Derbyshire

County Championship: 8^th (Div 1)

YB40: 6^th (Group B)

FLt20: 5^th (North Group)

High points: Despite being relegated from the first division of the County Championship, Captain Wayne Madsen scored 1,221 Championship runs in 2013 and as a result was rewarded with the Cricket Writers’ Club County Championship Player of the Year award. Chesney Hughes’ was another batsman who shone, with his 270 versus Yorkshire a particular highlight.

 

Durham

County Championship: 1^st (Div 1)

YB40: 4^th (Group B)

FLt20: Quarter-finals

High points: Winning the County Championship Division One. An eight-wicket victory over Nottinghamshire in their penultimate fixture gave Durham an unassailable lead over nearest title-rivals Yorkshire, as they claimed their first Championship success since winning back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009. Graham Onions led the way with 70 Championship wickets, whilst Scott Borthwick and Mark Stoneman both made over 1,000 Championship runs.

 

Essex

County Championship: 3^rd (Div 2)

YB40: 2^nd (Group B)

FLt20: Semi-finals

High points: Success on all fronts, but the bowling of Graham Napier was a particular highlight for the Eagles.

 

Glamorgan

County Championship: 8^th (Div 2)

YB40: Runners-up

FLt20: 3^rd (Midlands, Wales & West Group)

High points: Getting to the Yorkshire Bank 40 final against Lord’s was a testament to the progress Glamorgan are making, especially as a one-day outfield. Australian overseas fast bowler Michael Hogan took 67 Championship wickets and 103 in all competitions, whilst Jim Allenby scored 1,925 runs in total across all three formats. one-day form and also took 40 wickets.

 

Gloucestershire

County Championship: 6^th (Div 2)

YB40: 4^th (Group C)

FLt20: 6^th (Midlands, Wales & West Group)

High points: Will Gidman’s remarkable performance against Leicestershire.

 

Hampshire

County Championship: 4^th (Div 2)

YB40: Semi-finals

FLt20: Semi-finals

High points: Michael Carberry’s runs.

 

Kent

County Championship: 7^th (Div 2)

YB40: 4^th (Group A)

FLt20: 5^th (South Group)

High points: In an otherwise disappointing season, it was a year of dramatic run chases for Kent. The Spitfires broke a 40-over cricket world record when they chased down the Sussex Shark’s score of 336-5 in their YB40 group stage match at Canterbury. Darren Stevens 44-ball-ton was the fastest century of the entire summer and it was his efforts, along with Sam Northeast’s maiden List A hundred, that led the Spitfires to an unlikely victory.

 

Lancashire

County Championship: 1^st (Div 2)

YB40: 3^rd (Group B)

FLt20: Quarter-finals

High points: Winning Division Two of the County Championship. The Lightning almost went the whole summer without losing a match in the domestic four-day competition, only to be undone in their final game by an incredible Darren Stevens knock (205*) as Kent chased down a mammoth 418 to end the streak. But this defeat was not enough to dampen a hugely impressive season for Lancashire in the competition.

 

Leicestershire

County Championship: 9^th (Div 2)

YB40: 5^th (Group C)

FLt20: 4^th (North Group)

High points: The form of batsman Ned Eckersley. In his most prolific season to date, the former wicket-keeper-turned-batter made 1,275 runs including four centuries and four fifties.

 

Middlesex

County Championship: 5^th (Div 1)

YB40: 3^rd (Group C)

FLt20: 4^th (South Group)

High points: Their Australian batsmen.

 

Northamptonshire

County Championship: 2^nd (Div 2)

YB40: 2^nd (Group A)

FLt20: Winners

High points: Winning the Friends Life Twenty20 competition and gaining promotion to Division One in the County Championship. David Willey’s blistering 60 from just 27 balls got the Steelbacks off to a flyer at Edgbaston against Surrey, before one-day captain Alex Wakely (59*) and overseas-Aussie Cameron White (54*) steered their team to a formidable total of 194-2. David Willey’s hat-trick sealed the deal as Northants bowled Surrey out for just 92 to claim their first domestic t20 title.

 

Nottinghamshire

County Championship: 7^th (Div 1)

YB40: Winners

FLt20: Quarter-finals

High points: Winning the Yorkshire Bank 40-over competition. Having topped Group A with an impressive record of nine wins and three losses, the Outlaws blew away Somerset’s batsmen in the semi-final, bowling Marcus Trescothick’s men out for just 119. In the final, Glamorgan put up a significantly better fight, however, Notts conquered thanks to a 99-run fifth-wicket partnership between veteran skipper Chris Read and experienced overseas David Hussey. The Outlaws total of 244-8 proved to be too many for Glamorgan, who were bowled out for 157, with Samit Patel, Stuart Broad and Ajmal Shahzad taking three wickets apiece.

 

Somerset

County Championship: 6^th (Div 1)

YB40: Semi-finals

FLt20: Quarter-finals

High points: The performances of their young Englishman.

 

Surrey

County Championship: 9^th (Div 1)

YB40: 5^th (Group B)

FLt20: Runners-up

High points: Reaching the Friends Life Twenty20 final was a fantastic achievement for Surrey, although everyone connected with the club will have been largely disappointed with the overall outcome of the season. In a season in which Surrey almost had more overseas players than victories, the Oval-boys won just one Championship match all summer and were subsequently relegated. Thus, their t20 performances, plus eighteen-year-old Dom Sibley’s outstanding 242 in their final game, shows there is hope for the future.

 

Sussex

County Championship: 3^rd (Div 1)

YB40: 3^rd (Group A)

FLt20: 6^th (South Group)

High points: Their County Championship season.

 

Warwickshire

County Championship: 4^th (Div 1)

YB40: 7^th (Group A)

FLt20: 4^th (Midlands, Wales & West Group)

High points: The emergence of their home-grown talent.

 

Worcestershire

County Championship: 5^th (Div 2)

YB40: 5^th (Group A)

FLt20: 5^th (Midlands, Wales & West Group)

High points: The efforts of two men: Moeen Ali and Alan Richardson. Ali scored more runs than any player in Division Two of the County Championship (1,375) and amassed over 2,000 runs in all forms of cricket. He also chipped in with 55 wickets and has subsequently been called up to the England Performance Squad for their winter tour of Australia. As for Richardson, the 38-year-old seamer took 68 Championship wickets at 19.83, including career-best figures of 8-37 against Gloucestershire.

 

Yorkshire

County Championship: 2^nd (Div 1)

YB40: 6^th (Group C)

FLt20: 6^th (North Group)

High points: Scoring a mountain of runs to finish a deserved second in the County Championship Division One. Remarkably eight different Yorkshire batsman made Championship hundreds in 2013 (plus, Kiwi-overseas Kane Williamson fell just short, making 97 against Sussex) with three of those batters (Joe Root, Alex Lees and Andrew Gale) made double-centuries. Root, Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance have all since been selected in the touring party for the Ashes Down Under this winter, whilst Lees will also travel with the Performance squad.

FLt20 “Ones-to-watch” XI Verdict

Remember our FLT20 “Ones-to-watch XI” from earlier this summer? Well, here’s how the team got on in this year’s competition.

 

1. Michael Carberry – 502 runs at 55.78, HS 100, 4 Fifties, 1 Hundred

“Yet to make a century in t20 cricket, could this be Carberry’s year?”

Yes, apparently. Michael Carberry was Hampshire’s ‘Mr Consistency’ in the FLt20 competition this year, as the Royals advanced to Finals Day having lost just one match, only to fall at the semi-final stage. His century against Lancashire came off 66 balls (11 fours and 3 sixes) and as a result of his masterful t20 displays, Carberry has been called into the England ODI and t20i squads for the series against Australia.

 

2. Dawid Malan – 351 runs at 39.00, HS 86, 3 Fifties

“Aggressive left-handed batsman Malan has had a huge amount of success in the 20-over format over the past few years.”

No change here then, for the shortest format remains Dawid Malan’s strongest. Middlesex were unfortunate not to advance from the tricky South Group, however, Malan did his best to propel them beyond the first stage with some powerful performances at the top of the order, including a match-winning 55-ball 86 against Essex at Lord’s.

 

3. Luke Wright – 130 runs at 21.67, HS 81, 1 Fifty

“England all-rounder Wright has become something of a t20 mercenary over the past few seasons, with stints in the IPL, Big Bash and BPL…”

As such an experienced t20 campaigner, Luke Wright will have been disappointed with his performances in the FLt20 this season. He reached fifty just once – he smashed 81 off 49 balls against Middlesex at Lord’s – and thus made only 49 runs in his five other innings. In addition, Wright bowled only one over for Sussex in the competition, as the Sharks finished dead last in the South Group with nine losses and one solitary victory. A year to forget for Wright and Sussex.

 

4. Owais Shah – 311 runs at 51.83, HS 68, 2 Fifties

“Essex will need Shah to be in top form if they are to qualify out of the competition’s tricky South Group.”

In contrast to his fellow seasoned t20 campaigner Wright, 2013 was a great year for both Owais Shah and Essex. Shah averaged over 50 in the competition, as Essex not only advanced out of the South Group, but all the way to finals day. The Eagles eventually bowed out in the semi-finals, losing to eventual winners Northamptonshire. Shah’s brutal 68 from 43 balls against Hampshire in the group stages, was a particular highlight.

 

5. Gary Ballance – 269 runs at 29.89, HS 68, 1 Fifty

“Zimbabwe-born batsman Gary Ballance is a player showing huge potential.”

Although Yorkshire have had a barnstorming year in the County Championship, their FLt20 campaign didn’t quite go according to plan, as the “Vikings” finished rock bottom of the North Group. But Gary Ballance won’t mind too much. Having scored runs across all three formats, including an eye-catching 68 off 39 balls in a t20 against Durham, the Zimbabwean-born leftie should get the chance to take on the Australians for real in the upcoming ODI series.

 

6. Darren Stevens – 267 runs at 38.14, HS 67, 1 Fifty; 6 wickets at 36.00, SB 2-16

“Ever since his arrival from Leicestershire in 2004, Stevens has been a critical member of the Kent team in all three forms of the game.”

Self-confessed Twenty20 junkie Darren Stevens is a wonderful ball striker, as well as a more than useful limited-overs bowler. As the highest scoring domestic t20 run-scorer prior to this summer, Stevens perhaps didn’t quite hit top gear this year, although his match-winning 67* from 44 balls against Sussex typified the qualities he possesses. Too old to play for England? “Never”, says Darren.

 

7. Craig Kieswetter – 517 runs at 64.62, HS 89*, 5 Fifties, 10 catches, 1 stumping

“South-African born wicket-keeper batsman Kieswetter will be hoping that this year’s FLt20 could be his year.”

Speaking of England honours, Craig Kieswetter will be disappointed that he failed to win a recall to the England limited-overs squads this summer. The South African-born wicketkeeper-batsman scored more domestic t20 runs in 2013 than any other player, including Michael Carberry; Taunton’s short boundaries aside, that is an impressive statistic. His 89* off 55 balls against Gloucestershire was an innings of sheer perfection. Don’t rule this lad out from returning to the England fold very soon.

 

8. Graham Napier – 95 runs at 19.00, HS 38; 12 wickets at 26.17, SB 4-18

“When it comes to limited-overs cricket, Napier is never too far away from the spotlight.”

Although he has starred in t20 cricket with the bat on numerous occasions over the years, Graham Napier refers to himself as “a bowler with bats a bit” and this rang true in his 2013 FLt20 campaign. There are very few professional players worldwide capable of bowling an inch perfect yorker on demand and Napier is one of them; all four of his four Surrey victims in his season’s best figures were clean bowled. Lead the Essex line brilliantly.

 

9. James Tredwell – 7 wickets at 16.43, SB 3-19

“The off-spinner relies on his consistency, control and subtle variations to out think the opposing batsman.”

Kent have had a number of successful seasons in the domestic t20 competition, however this year was not one of them. International commitments meant Tredwell was only able to lead his county in six of their group matches and despite his best efforts as both a leader and an off-spinner, Kent picked up just three victories in the campaign. Tredwell only played a part in one of those wins, as he bowled 3 overs 1-12 to deny Hampshire at the Rose Bowl.

 

10. Jamie Overton – N/A

“Although he has yet to play a t20 match for his county Somerset, many will be expecting young Jamie Overton to make his mark on the competition this season.”

Sadly, he didn’t. Overton is still yet to make his t20 debut for Somerset. However, fear not, because the young paceman has been included in the England squad to face Australia in the upcoming ODI series. The selectors do like picking on potential.

 

11. Boyd Rankin – 4 wickets at 11.25, SB 2-9

“Expect the six-foot-seven seamer to be cause difficulties for batsman at both ends of the innings this year.”

Whilst his county Warwickshire had a solid but unfruitful t20 summer, little credit can be given to their Irish-born fast bowler Rankin, who bowled just eight overs in the competition. That said, he did make a significant impact in those eight overs, picking up figures of 2-9 against Somerset and he subsequently finished at the top of the FLt20 2013 bowling averages. Hopefully he’ll get more of an opportunity to terrorise batsmen in the England-Australia ODI series.

 

Royals the real deal in FLt20 2013

Hampshire Royals romped to a 62-run win over the Kent Spitfires in the Friends Life t20 competition last night, largely thanks to an explosive 83 off 56 balls from opener Michael Carberry. With one game left to play in the group stages, the Royals sit at the top of the South Group with fifteen points, having already guaranteed themselves a home draw in the quarter-finals.

Following their dominant performances thus far this summer, the Royals already appear to be strong favourites to retain the trophy they won on finals day at Sophia Gardens last year. Although many of the bookies have the Nottinghamshire Outlaws at the shortest odds, the East Midlands side won seven and lost three of their group matches, whilst the Royals have lost just one game in the competition all season (seven wins, one N/R), in arguably the strongest of the three groups.

It isn’t hard to understand why the Royals have been so successful. Simply looking at last night’s team sheet, even with qualification already sewn up, Hampshire fielded arguably their strongest t20 XI (minus Pakistani overseas player Sohail Tanvir and young wicketkeeper Michael Bates): Carberry, Vince, Adams, McKenzie, Mascarenhas ©, Ervine, Dawson, Wheater (wk), Wood, Briggs & Griffiths.

In fact, these thirteen aforementioned names are the only Hampshire players used in the FLt20 competition this summer. Their consistency has evidently been one key component of the Royals success in 2013, with momentum being another. Winning is a habit that is even more critical in a game as frenetic and unpredictable as Twenty 20 cricket.

As for the players themselves, Michael Carberry and Neil McKenzie have been pivotal to the Royals’ success with the bat. Carberry has been a revelation at the top of the order, scoring 391 runs at 55.86, blowing away the view that he is just a top-order blocker. Carberry’s powerful all-round stroke play has been a joy to watch, whilst his exploitation of the fielding restrictions in the powerplay overs has been particularly impressive. As for McKenzie, the formerly stodgy South African Test opener has become a remarkable t20 player. This season McKenzie averages 124.50, largely thanks to being unbeaten in four out of his six knocks. His 249 runs have come at a healthy strike-rate (120.00), whilst his consistency and experience have proved invaluable to the county once again this season.

Supported by the talented James Vince and the ever reliable Jimmy Adams, the Hampshire top order has excelled, and with the blend of strength, innovation and classic stroke play provided by Mascarenhas, Ervine and Dawson, their middle-order is probably one of the best in the country.

As for the bowlers, Sohail Tanvir is a particularly tricky customer. With balls coming down from over 196cms, the Pakistani left-armer is an extremely awkward bowler to get away, due to his impressive height, unorthodox action and unique angle of attack. In addition, medium-pacer Dmitri Mascarenhas has 146 career t20 wickets as well a healthy economy rate, whilst left-arm spinner Danny Briggs provides plenty of control in the middle overs. Young seamer Chris Wood is also a widely regarded prospect, thanks to his skill with the new ball and clever death bowling.

In short, it is going to take an impressive side to stop the Hampshire Royals from advancing all the way to the final come August 17^th at Edgbaston. Nottinghamshire and Somerset look like the two teams most likely to crash the Royals party; however the beauty of t20 cricket is that any team can beat another on their day. The question remains as to whether any team can repeat Kent’s trick at the Rose Bowl last week. The Spitfires are now the only team to have beaten the Royals in the t20 format for over a year.

English FLt20 XI: A team of players to watch in this year’s competition

 

1. Michael Carberry – Hampshire Royals – T20 average: 27.66 – SR: 112.92

The former Surrey and Kent man looked in supreme touch on Wednesday night against his former team, as his 60 off 45 balls drove  the Royals on to an easy win. His innings exemplified all his t20 qualities, as Carberry displayed a 360̊ degree range of shots. His breath of powerful strokes should stand him in good stead at the top of the order, as Hampshire look to retain the title that they won last season. Yet to make a century in t20 cricket, could this be Carberry’s year?

 

2. Dawid Malan – Middlesex Panthers – T20 average: 30.42 – SR: 117.58

Aggressive left-handed batsman Malan has had a huge amount of success in the 20-over format over the past few years, with his most noteworthy performance a magnificent 103 off just 51 balls against Lancashire in 2008. Although he has spent much of this season in the second XI, he returned with 58* against the Unicorns in the YB40 last week and will be a key component in the Panthers batting line-up at the top of the order alongside Paul Sterling and Joe Denly.

 

3. Luke Wright – Sussex Sharks – T20 batting average: 26.31 – SR: 147.02; T20 bowling average: 32.22 – Econ: 8.41/over

England all-rounder Wright has become something of a t20 mercenary over the past few seasons, with stints in the IPL, Big Bash and BPL; however, this fact simply expresses what a fine player t20 player he is. A destructive top-order batsman in the shortest form of the game, Wright’s success often comes from hitting over the top and taking full advantage of the powerplay fielding restrictions. Also a handy seamer, his ability to mix it up and bowl yorkers makes him a reliable death bowler. The Sussex man is in stunning form with the bat, having scored 115 off 61 balls against Kent in the YB40 last week, so expect him to shine for the Sharks this year.

 

4. Owais Shah – Essex Eagles – T20 average: 33.83 – SR: 127.44

Essex batsman Shah is an extremely experienced performer in the t20 format, who like Luke Wright, has played 20-over cricket all around the globe. Formerly a regular international for England in ODI cricket, Shah has the ability to make quick runs in the middle-order, using his wristy technique to powerfully manoeuvre the ball to all corners of the ground. His average and strike-rate show what an exquisite limited overs player he is, and Essex will need Shah to be on top form if they are to qualify out of the competition’s tricky south group.

 

5. Gary Ballance – Yorkshire Vikings – T20 average: 26.14 – SR: 121.78

Zimbabwe-born batsman Gary Balance is a player showing huge potential and England’s decision to call the 23-year-old into their t20 squad for the series against New Zealand shows just how highly this young man is rated. He toured Australia with the Lions this winter, having excelled in domestic limited-overs cricket last season. He also topped the List A averages for county Yorkshire in 2012 and scored two half-centuries in the Champions League. Big things are to come from this young man.

 

6. Darren Stevens – Kent Spitfires – T20 batting average: 30.20 – SR: 132.83; T20 bowling average: 23.91 – Econ: 7.49/over

Stevens scored the fastest century of the summer so far last week, with a breathtaking 44-ball ton as the Spitfires achieved a world-record run chase against the Sussex Sharks at Canterbury. Ever since his arrival from Leicestershire in 2004, Stevens has been a critical member of the Kent team in all three forms of the game. He has scored over 10,000 runs in first-class cricket and with 2852 t20 runs to date, he is also the most prolific 20-over run scorer on the county cricket scene. Also a more than useful seam bowler, Stevens’ all-round contribution will be vital for the Spitfires this campaign.

 

7. Craig Kieswetter – Somerset – T20 batting average: 27.63 – SR: 120.59; T20 catches: 50 –  stumpings: 17

South-African born wicket-keeper batsman Kieswetter will be hoping that 2013 could be his year. Having lost his place in the England ODI and T20 teams to team mate Jos Buttler, Kieswetter will be hoping to showcase his ability with both bat and gloves in this year’s FLt20, in order to re-stake his claim for his old England spot. His batting relies heavily on his ball striking capabilities and ability to hit over the infield during the powerplay overs, which he did to great effect when he was part of the England team that won the ICC World Twenty20 back in 2010. Somerset are favourites with the bookies to win this year’s FLt20 and the Trescothick-Trego-Kiewswetter combination at the top of their line-up will play a key role.

 

8. Graham Napier – Essex Eagles – T20 batting average: 15.20 – SR: 142.83; T20 bowling Average: 21.29 – Econ: 7.34/over

When it comes to limited-overs cricket, Napier is never too far away from the spotlight. Widely known for his explosive batting performances in t20 cricket, in particular his world-record 152* against Sussex in 2008 when he hit a mammoth 16 sixes, it is his bowling that has helped him make the headlines this year. He took 4 wickets in 4 balls in a YB40 match against Surrey, to finish with figures of 7-32 and Napier also recently took 7-90 in a LVCC Div 2 County Championship game against Leicestershire. He also currently tops the four-day batting averages for his county, having scored 556 runs at an average of 61.78 so far this season, including five fifties and a ton. Napier is a man in serious form.

 

9. James Tredwell – Kent Spitfires – T20 bowling average: 27.72 – Econ: 7.22/over

Kent skipper Tredwell has had a fantastic year, finally breaking thorough into the international side in place of the injured Graeme Swann and also taking over the Spitfires captaincy from former-England batsman Rob Key. Tredwell’s strong showings in the international team have earned him rave reviews from captain Alastair Cook and he has also become a real favourite with the England fans’ too. The off-spinner relies on his consistency, control and subtle variations to out think the opposing batsman, and as a handy batsman and slip fielder, providing Swann is fit enough to play in the Ashes, Tredwell will play a massive role in the Spitfires t20 campaign this summer.

 

10. Jamie Overton – Somerset – List A bowling average: 22.83 – Econ: 5.95/over

Although he has yet to play a t20 match for his county Somerset, many will be expecting young Jamie Overton to make his mark on the competition this season. As one of the most exciting young seam bowlers in the county, Overton has been regularly reaching speeds of over 90mph this season…and he’s only 19!! With 24 championship wickets to date this season, Somerset will be hoping that their Devon-born quick can have a similar impact in the t20 format.

 

11. Boyd Rankin – Warwickshire Bears – T20 bowling average: 17.96 – Econ: 5.60/over

Former Ireland international Rankin made his t20 debut for England this week, having previously played in 52 ODI internationals for the country of his birth. The Derry-born paceman is now targeting more international honours over the next few years for England, and an impressive showing in this season’s FLt20 competition would help to further stake his claim for an Ashes spot. Thus far in his domestic t20 career he has taken 29 wickets in 26 matches, at a very impressive economy rate of just 5.60 runs an over, so expect the six-foot-seven seamer to be cause difficulties for batsman at both ends of the innings this year.

 

 

Stevens shines as Kent achieve world record run-chase

Match Report: KENT SPITFIRES vs. SUSSEX SHARKS – 19^th June 2013 

Kent Spitfires last night claimed a record-breaking victory over local rivals Sussex Sharks in the Yorkshire Bank 40 competition, after chasing down 336-5 with three wickets and an over to spare. Kent’s score of 337-7 was the highest ever successful run chase in 40-over cricket history.

Darren Stevens stole the show for Kent, blasting his way to 118 off 53 balls, to lead his team to victory on a glorious floodlit night in Canterbury. Stevens reached his century off just 44 balls, scoring twelve 4s and seven 6s, before he was caught on the deep mid-wicket boundary with the score on 291. Sam Northeast then put Kent within touching distance with a century of his own, his maiden List A hundred (his previous best was 69), before a wide in the penultimate over handed Kent the win.

Sussex’s total of 336 had already set a landmark for the largest limited-overs total at the Spitfire Ground, formerly known as the St. Lawrence Ground, after Luke Wright blitzed his way to 115 off 61 balls, with an astonishing display of power-hitting. However, Wright’s innings was overshadowed by Stevens, who is now in pole position to win the coveted Walter Lawrence Trophy, awarded to the scorer of the fastest century this summer.

Having won the toss, Kent captain Geraint Jones might have been regretting his decision to field first at the halfway stage of the Sussex innings, with the visitors already amassing over 200 runs for the loss of just one wicket. Luke Wright and opening partner Chris Nash got the Sharks off to a blistering start, with an opening stand of 194 from 18.3 overs, the highest ever partnership by a Sussex pair against Kent in all forms of one day cricket.

Although Sussex’s pace slowed, largely thanks to tight bowling from Stevens and off-spinner Adam Riley, a profitable partnership between the innovative Michael Yardy (46) and young left-hander Matt Machan (41*) meant the Sharks finished with a formidable total. Although all of Kent’s bowlers took some stick, it was the unfortunate Calum Haggett who made the record books, as his eight overs leaked a mammoth ninety-seven runs.

With the required rate at 8.4 per over from the start of Kent’s innings, it was critical their openers made a quick start if they were to have any chance of overhauling Sussex’s total. Fortunately, Northeast and former-skipper Rob Key provided that platform, making 109 for the first wicket, with Key hitting eight boundaries in a quick fire 52 from 43 balls before he was removed by left-arm seamer Chris Liddle. An injury to Brendan Nash meant Alex Blake came in at no.3 for Kent, and he scored 14 before Liddle claimed his second wicket.

That brought Stevens to the crease, who alongside Sam Northeast added 159 for the third wicket to somehow keep Kent up with the required rate. The pair made full use of the short boundary on the Old Dover Road side of the ground, although Stevens also clubbed sixes to the longer mid-wicket boundary, as he milked Will Beer for 17 off an over and then sent Rory Hamilton-Brown for 20 off the next.

With Kent seemingly in control they lost Stevens and Ben Harmison in quick succession, before Northeast and Jones put the Spitfires in command. The hosts required less than a run a ball to achieve victory. However, after Will Beer removed Northeast, two balls later the pressure mounted up as Calum Haggett was expertly caught at cover by Nash.

The crowd were briefly silenced, but Mitchell Claydon, on his YB40 debut for Kent, smashed his first ball for six, leaving Kent with eight runs needed from thirteen deliveries. Jones then glided a four down to third man and although Claydon was run-out with the scores level, Kent held their nerve to safely secure a remarkable victory.

For scorecard, see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/o35181