Edgbaston plays host to the FL t20 Finals Days on Saturday and if there is anything like as much drama as last year’s tied final between Somerset and reigning champions Hampshire, then we’re in for a treat. Chris Baldwin gives a rundown of each of the four sides competing at the showpiece event in Birmingham.
Lancashire
The Form Book: The Lightning have relied on a highly skilled bowling attack this season, defending low totals on a number of occasions, including just 110 against Northamptonshire. A key factor in their success has been Pakistan quick Junaid Khan, who has been devastating at the death with his toe-crunching yorkers. Stephen Moore has been their stand out batsman, and is currently the fifth highest runscorer in the competition, but the batting unit must offer a more significant contribution if they are to lift the trophy.
Danger Man: Gary Keedy – The leader of Lancashire’s trio of left-arm twirlers, the 36-year-old is their leading wicket-taker in the competition with 19 scalps and if the rumours that he will moving on at the end of the season are true, then he will want to leave on a high. Spinners always have a key part to play in T20 and Keedy, in tandem with young bucks Simon Kerrigan and Stephen Parry, will hope to strangle the opposition in the middle overs.
Leicestershire
The Form Book: Lancashire’s opponents in the first semi-final will be the resurgent Foxes, who have been the surprise package in this year’s tournament and return to Finals Day for the first time since 2006, when they lifted the trophy for the second time. A mixture of youth and experience has got them this far with the likes of recent England debutant James Taylor combining with the experienced overseas recruits Abdul Razzaq and Andrew McDonald to great effect. They chased over 200 in their quarter-final win over Kent and, with McDonald and Razzaq in their ranks, they possess the explosive batters to overhaul large totals – as Lancashire found to their cost earlier in the season when Razzaq struck 62 off just 30 balls to take his side to an unlikely four-wicket win.
Danger Man: Andrew McDonald – The flame-haired Aussie was the leading runscorer in the group stages with an average over 62, including seven fifties. When he gets in, he stays in, so Lancashire will need to remove him early on. His canny medium pace bowling, which has snared 12 wickets so far, is another useful string to his bow.
Somerset
The Form Book: The big question of the day is whether Somerset can break the hoodoo of the last two Finals Days and lift the trophy this time around. Beaten finalists in 2009, they were one run away from lifting the title last year and will be seeking revenge in the second semi-final against reigning champions Hampshire. The Cidermen finished as runners-up in all competitions last season and will be anxious not to be bridesmaids again. As ever, their strength lies in the batting with Marcus Trescothick, Craig Kieswetter, Peter Trego and Kieron Pollard all potentially devastating in the shorter format. In the bowling department a lot depends on Indian spinner Murali Kartik and last year’s leading wicket-taker in the tournament Alfonso Thomas.
Danger Man: Jos Buttler – One of the most promising and talented young batsmen around, the 20-year-old played a big part in the quarter-final win over Nottinghamshire, smashing 34 off 14 balls. He can play every shot in the book and most impressively for a man his age, knows when and when not to play them. Buttler will be looking to celebrate his first senior international call-up in style at Finals Day.
Hampshire
The Form Book: The Royals are looking to become the first team to defend the T20 title and cruised into Finals Day despite starting the group stages with a points penalty. They are arguably stronger than last year with spin twins Imran Tahir and Shahid Afridi forming a formidable partnership, while Dimitri Mascharenas has fitted back into the team seamlessly after a long injury, taking 21 wickets at just over a run-a-ball. Add to that, a batting unit with features the elegant James Vince and the seasoned pro Neil McKenzie and they have a formidable team. The second semi-final should be great viewing.
Danger Man: Danny Briggs – Hampshire’s 20-year-old spinner has taken the competition by storm, bagging 22 wickets including a career-best 5-19 in the quarter-final demolition of Durham. England honours surely beckon for the left-arm spinner and if the Edgbaston pitch offers turn, he could prove the difference.
