After a grueling long season that started with 18 competitors, the Natwest T20 Blast is down to the last four teams who will be fighting it out for the ultimate prize on what promises to be a fascinating Finals Day. Last year’s champions, Lancashire, are gone; and so are all the South Group teams. The dramatic twists and turns of a thrilling season saw four teams from the North rise above the rest to give themselves a shot at glory.
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A galaxy of stars would take centre stage in Birmingham, as Nottinghamshire takes on last year’s runners-up Northamptonshire, and Yorkshire plays Durham for a spot in the final.
Nottinghamshire v Northamptonshire
Notts, who defeated Essex by 39 runs in the quarters, will be delighted to welcome back Andre Russell. The West Indies all-rounder who picked the Player of the Series award in the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League will add more firepower to a hard-hitting batting lineup that already includes Alex Hales, Michael Lumb, Riki Wessells and Dan Christian.
Given Russell’s ability to demolish sides with the ball, Northamptonshire’s dynamic batting will be bracing for a tough battle. But, even if they are able to deal with the big Jamaican, their challenges don’t end there, as Nottinghamshire boasts of a bowling line-up consisting of Stuart Broad, Jake Ball, Imran Tahir and Samit Patel, who took a four-wicket haul in the quarterfinals.
The Steelbacks, who easily overcame Middlesex by 7 wickets in the last eight encounter, will yet again rely on one of its top four to deliver. It was Adam Rossington leading the way in the previous game, and this time again there would be a lot expected of him. Richard Levi, Josh Cobb, Ben Duckett and Alex Wakely form a formidable batting lineup, but given the quality of the opposition, they will all have to bring out their A-games, specially because they have lost their X-factor, Sri Lankan all-rounder Seekkuge Prasanna, who has returned home to join the national squad. Prasanna’s absence would particularly be felt in the bowling department, which will be banking on Rory Kleinveldt, Richard Gleeson and Graeme White.
Prediction: Nottinghamshire looks to have the edge in this game.
Durham v Yorkshire
The second semifinal will witness a team that is on a dream run taking on another that has entered the semis after causing a major upset in the tournament. Durham didn’t start as favourites against Gloucestershire in the quarterfinals, but an inspirational spell from Mark Wood secured them a finals day berth against all odds.
Durham will be hoping for Wood to make an impact against Yorkshire. They will also be boosted by the return of Ben Stokes, who is believed to be playing as a pure batsman. A lot would depend on openers Mark Stoneman and Keaton Jennings and all-rounder Scott Borthwick as Durham takes on a side that is eyeing three trophies in the season.
After reaching the finals day with an emphatic 90-run victory over Glamorgan, the Vikings went on to seal a semifinal spot in the Royal London One-Day Cup by beating Kent by 11 runs in quarterfinals. They are also second in the Division 1 Championship standings.
David Willey who was brutal against the Glamorgan bowlers will yet again lead the charge with the dangerous Adam Lyth in company. Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Garry Balance, Alex Lees and Tim Bresnan will add solidity to a lineup that has an even more enviable bowling attack consisting of Adil Rashid, the man who grabbed four wickets in the quarters, Liam Plunkett, Azeem Rafeeq and Willy and Bresnan themselves.
Prediction: Yorkshire looks a very balanced side and seems destined to succeed and if they reach the final they may well go on to win the crown.
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