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TWENTY20 CUP 2009 - SOUTH GROUP PREVIEW
ESSEX
Having reached the semi-finals twice in the last three seasons, the odds-setters
reckon the Eagles are as likely as anyone to make the last four again. But aren't
they aware that Ravi Bopara, James Foster and Graham Napier are set to miss the opening
salvos? Essex's price of 7-1 seems to have much to do with the presence of Danish Kaneria, who took 20 Twenty20 wickets at 13.80 runs apiece in
2008, and an attack that also includes the grossly under-rated David Masters and
Ryan ten Doeschate and spinners, Grant Flower and James Middlebrook, who proved
to be economical in the Friends Provident Trophy. But where are the runs going
to come from? Alistair Cook could find himself treating the Twenty20 as warm-up
for this summer's Ashes, but just like Varun Chopra and Jason Gallian, he is yet
to look at home in the shortest format of the game. So, much rests on the
shoulders of skipper Mark Pettini and the former Kent veteran Matt Walker.
On England duty: Ravi Bopara, James Foster and Graham Napier
Surrey clash: 29 May (Fri) at Chelmsford & 25 June (Thu) at the Brit Oval
Twenty20 Cup odds: 7-1
Best finish: Semi finalists (2006 and 2008)
Biggest total: 242-3 v Sussex at Chelmsford 2008
Highest score: 152* by Graham Napier v Sussex at Chelmsford 2008
Best bowling: 4-10 by Graham Napier v Northamptonshire at Chelmsford 2008.
HAMPSHIRE
The Hawks best ever finish in the Twenty20 Cup came in 2004, when they reached
the last eight, but their lack of success over the years is hardly surprising when you look at their
all-time batting
records for the competition - just two individual innings over 70 in 40
completed matches. Only the two Michaels - Carberry and Lumb - are proven
performers with the bat in 20-over cricket. When he comes off, all-rounder Sean
Ervine is capable of taking any attack apart. But Hampshire will be hoping Jimmy
Adams, Chris Benham and wicketkeeper Nic Pothas can carry their Friends
Provident form into the Twenty20. With the ball, even though they are weakened
by the absence of Dimitri Mascarenhas and Chris Tremlett for the first phase of
the campaign, the Hawks have made the last four in the FPT with a balance of
experience, in the shape of Dominic Cork, Imran Tahir and Billy Taylor, and
youth in 19-year-old Hamza Riazuddin and 18-year-old slow left-armer Danny
Briggs. So, who's to say the same unit cannot deliver the goods in the Twenty20
Cup?
On England duty: Dimitri Mascarenhas
Surrey clash: 27 May (Wed) at the Brit Oval & 31 May (Sun) at the Rose
Bowl
Twenty20 Cup odds: 14-1
Best finish: Quarter finalists (2004)
Biggest total: 225-2 v Middlesex at the Rose Bowl 2006
Highest score: 97* by Shane Watson v Kent at the Rose Bowl 2004
Best bowling: 5-14 by Dimitri Mascarenhas v Sussex at Hove 2004.
KENT
Finalists in each of the last two years and joint second in the betting going
into this summer's tournament. By the time Surrey square up to them for the
first time, on June 24, Kent could be as good as assured of a place in the last
eight providing they play to their potential. In Joe Denly, the Spitfires have
the leading run-maker in last year's Twenty20 Cup. With Geraint Jones, Justin
Kemp, Azhar Mahmood, Darren Stevens and Martin van Jaarsveld also capable of
match-winning innings, there shouldn't be any shortage of runs. The bowling
attack isn't too shabby either - South African all-rounder Wayne Parnell comes
with a huge reputation in limited-overs cricket, Ryan McLaren due back from the
Indian Premier League, off-spinner James Tredwell has taken over forty wickets
in the Twenty20 Cup and Simon Cook is a proven partnership breaker. If Kent have
a weakness perhaps it is complacency - they recently lost to Scotland in the
Friends Provident Trophy, albeit in a rain-affected contest in Edinburgh.
On England duty: Robert Key
Surrey clashes: 24 June (Wed) at the Brit Oval & 28 June (Sun) at Beckenham
Twenty20 Cup odds: 13-2
Best finish: Winners (2007)
Biggest total: 204-5 v Essex at Beckenham 2008
Highest score: 112 by Andrew Symonds v Middlesex at Maidstone 2004
Best bowling: 4-14 by Darren Stevens v Essex at Chelmsford 2007.
MIDDLESEX
The surprise winners of last summer's Twenty20 Cup. Middlesex were 25-1
outsiders going into the competition. But of the batting line-up that carried
the North Londoners to their first domestic honour since 1993, only Dawid Malan
- who topped the tournament averages last year - Billy Godleman and Tyron Henderson
will be present for the Panthers' first outing of 2009. This is because Eoin
Morgan and Owais Shah are on international duty and Ed Joyce is now plying his trade
down at Hove. That said, wicketkeeper Ben
Scott, Nick Compton and Neil Dexter have enjoyed some form with the bat in this
summer's Friends Provident Trophy. The Panthers' attack is also missing some
familiar faces. Tim Murtagh is injured and Dirk Nannes has bowed out of county
cricket. But with Henderson - who finished second in the Twenty20
wicket-takers' list in 2008 - and Murali Kartik having completed their IPL
commitments, plus skipper Shaun Udal and
20-year-old fast bowler Steve Finn, who did well last term, to call on,
Middlesex have arguably the most savvy bowling attack in their Group.
On England duty: Eoin Morgan, Owais Shah and Andrew Strauss
Surrey clashes: 25 May (Mon) at Lord's & 27 June (Sat) at the Brit Oval
Twenty20 Cup odds: 12-1
Best finish: Winners (2008)
Biggest total: 210-6 v Hampshire at the Rose Bowl 2005
Highest score: 103 by Dawid Malan v Lancashire at The Oval 2008
Best bowling: 5-13 by Murali Kartik v Essex at Lord's 2007.
SURREY
Having reached Finals Day in each of the first four years of the Twenty20
Cup, the Brown Caps have not progressed from their Group since. Given that the
Twenty20 is all about holding your nerve and proving you can perform under
intense pressure, that has been Surrey's Achilles heel this season. In the
Friends Provident Trophy they were involved in three close finishes and lost on
every occasion. On paper, at least, the Oval outfit appear to be well equipped.
Scott Newman and Mark Ramprakash are in great touch with the bat right now.
James Benning is something of a 20-over specialist. In Grant Elliott, Chris
Schofield and Matthew Spriegel they have players who, as well as being able to
contribute with bat and ball, are a cut above in the field. With Usman Afzaal,
Andre Nel and Jade Dernbach (when he's fit again) completing the bowling attack,
they look both well-balanced and more than capable of getting runs down the
order if necessary. But, interestingly, wicketkeeper Jonathan Batty, who has
made more Twenty20 Cup appearances than any other current Surrey player does not
seem to be in the Brown Caps' plans.
Twenty20 Cup odds: 20-1
Best finish: Winners (2003)
Biggest total: 224-5 v Gloucestershire at Bristol 2006
Highest score: 88 by James Benning v Kent at the Oval 2006
Best bowling: 6-24 by Tim Murtagh v Middlesex at Lord's 2005.
SUSSEX
In the six seasons the Twenty20 Cup has been going, the Sharks have only reached
the knockout stages once. In Yasir Arafat they have the leading wicket-taker in
last summer's competition, but, as was the case a year ago, Sussex's influential
all-rounder Luke Wright is wanted by England. With a bowling line-up that
inspires little confidence - Arafat apart - the only chance the Sharks have of
progressing from the South Group is if Ed Joyce, Murray Goodwin, Dwayne Smith
and skipper Michael Yardy put some serious runs on the board. Should they fail,
it will then be a question of Joe Gatting, Rory Hamilton-Brown and Chris Nash
coming to the party for the first time in the Twenty20 Cup. With the ball, at
least Sussex have the experience of James Kirtley to call on. Left-arm seamer
Chris Liddle had a good record in last year's competition, but does not appear
to be in favour, so the attack will probably be completed by Hamilton-Brown and
the highly promising leg-spin of Will Beer. All in all, the Sharks' 14-1 odds
look somewhat flattering. Who's my money on? Nottinghamshire, where the presence
of Alistair Brown could take the Outlaws to another level.
On England duty: Matt Prior and Luke Wright
Surrey clashes: 26 May (Tue) at the Brit Oval & 22 June (Mon) at Hove
Twenty20 Cup odds: 14-1
Best finish: Semi Finalists (2007)
Biggest total: 205-5 v Hampshire at Hove 2007
Highest score: 103 by Luke Wright v Kent at Canterbury 2007
Best bowling: 5-11 by Mushtaq Ahmed v Essex at Hove 2005.
RECORDS
Twenty20
Cup - Surrey records 2003-2008
Twenty20
Cup - Surrey results 2003-2008
Twenty20
Cup - Records at a glance 2003-2008
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