T20 COMPETITION COMES TO LIFE

Friends Life T20 - Image courtesy (http://www.ecb.co.uk)

The group stages of the Friends Life t20 are starting to come to a climax with teams looking to break into the top four and claim a quarter-final place. Hampshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire look to have sewed up their places in the next round after consistent performances but there are a whole host of teams still looking to qualify.

Alex Hales has scored plenty of runs to get the Outlaws off to a cracking start and the death bowling of Darren Pattinson has given Chris Read’s side a clear edge. The Royals are the holders and they continue to dominate with their three-man spin attack of Danny Briggs, Imran Tahir and Pakistan star Shahid Afridi – and are justifiably free bet favourites to make it to finals day this year.

Leicestershire have been the surprise package in the North Group with consistent performances with both bat and ball from Australian Andrew MacDonald while Josh Cobb and James Taylor have given the Foxes impetus at the top of the order.

Durham have an array of consistent performers including former England t20 captain Paul Collingwood and big-hitters Ian Blackwell and Phil Mustard. Martin Guptill has started to perform for Derbyshire along with 19-year-old spinner Tom Knight but they may fall just short.

Yorkshire have had to rely on Andrew Gale’s runs at the top of the order but his four half-centuries haven’t been enough for the Carnegie to reach the next stage and the likes of Warwickshire and Northamptonshire are also out of the running following abysmal campaigns.

Lancashire lost twice to Yorkshire but veteran spinner Gary Keedy has been a thorn in oppositions and Stephen Moore has finally started to replicate the form that saw him impress at former county Worcestershire. The Royals have relied on the bowling of Shakib al Hasan and Saeed Ajmal and the all-round talent of Gareth Andrew and may progress.

In the South Group, six teams are challenging for four spots. Kent have stayed in contact due to Azhar Mahmood and Rob Key’s runs and Surrey have an exciting team that could go all the way according to free bets

Somerset and Sussex will be in contention as usual with Marcus Trescothick and Luke Wright dominating bowlers from the off and, after a disappointing start, Essex have finally started to come good with Tim Southee, Owais Shah and Ravi Bopara starting to perform consistently.

Ireland international Kevin O’Brien and Hamish Marshall smashed centuries as Gloucestershire recorded 254 for three, the highest ever domestic t20 total, but they could ignite their campaign while Glamorgan have promised a lot more than they delivered after re-signing paceman Simon Jones on loan from Hampshire and are unlikely to qualify along

Middlesex will collect the wooden spoon after a dismal campaign.

The business end of the group stages has really started to hot up and whoever qualifies will fancy their chances of reaching finals day in a competition that has entertained everyone.