TWENTY20 FINALS DAY at Edgbaston, 15 JULY 2023

ESSEX

Odds: 4-1.

Top man: Daniel Sams – Not only has he hit 24 sixes in this summer’s T20, the 30-year-old Aussie has also taken 23 wickets at 19.55 runs apiece.

Handy fella to have in your side: Michael Pepper, who tops Essex’s Blast batting averages.

Bat or bowl first? Bowl (with a T20 win percentage this season of 75%, compared with 43% batting first).

Despite only finishing fourth in the South Group, Essex pulled off a major surprise by beating Birmingham Bears, the North Group’s finest, in the quarters. This will be Essex’s first visit to finals day since winning the competition in 2019.

Prediction: If someone pops up with a 70 or even an 80 with the bat, Essex could well be in business.

HAMPSHIRE

Odds: 5-2.

Top man: James Vince, the leading run-scorer in this year’s Blast with 657 in 10 innings.

Handy fella to have in your side: John Turner, arguably the competition’s breakthrough player and the most economical bowler this term (6.44 runs per over).

Bat or bowl first? Bowl (83% win percentage, in contrast to 56% when batting first).

The defending champions used to be called the Royals, now they’re the Hawks. But their record in terms of reaching the last four marks them out as T20 royalty. Champions 3 times and losing semi-finalists on 6 occasions since 2010.

Prediction: Hampshire have never lost in the final, so if they overcome Essex be afraid, be very afraid.

SOMERSET

Odds: 5-2.

Top man: Will Smeed, who has hit 5 fifties in this summer’s T20 and made his runs at a rate of 179 per 100 balls.

Handy fella to have in your side: Ben Green, the leading wicket-taker in the Blast with 27.

Bat or bowl first? Bat (Somerset are yet to be beaten when they’ve batted first this term; bowling first 80%).

The Cidermen have been the standout team in this year’s Twenty20, with 13 victories and just 2 defeats; their only losses coming against Hampshire and Surrey. Since winning the competition in 2005, Somerset have reached four finals, losing all of them.

Prediction: Just three of the side that beat Notts in the quarters were risked in the County Championship this week, which suggests they mean business.

SURREY

Odds: 2-1 favourites.

Top man: Will Jacks – As well as being the leading six-hitter in this year’s Blast, with 31, just four batters have made more runs.

Handy fella to have in your side: Sunil Narine, who averages 22.25 with the bat and 22.85 with the ball.

Bat or bowl first? Bowl (Surrey won 67% bowling first this year, compared with 58% batting first).

Since claiming the first ever T20 title in 2003, the South Londoners have been to 6 finals days, only to be thwarted. Even in T20, a team, like Surrey, that swings with the bat all the way down, still needs two batters to forge a significant partnership. So, avoiding a collapse will be key for the Oval outfit.

Prediction: They’ll either end up being a losing semi-finalist or the 2023 champions.

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