T20 BLAST 2021 TEAM OF THE WEEK: Who joins Joe Clarke and Chris Green?

The Cricketer identifies the stand-out displays from the opening few rounds of the domestic 20-over competition...

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Phil Salt (Sussex Sharks)

Two half-centuries in as many outings for the Welshman, both coming in successful chases against Gloucestershire and Hampshire. Add two catches and the stumping of Joe Weatherley and it has been an undeniably impressive week for a batter-wicketkeeper who still has England ambitions.

Joe Clarke (Notts Outlaws)

A remarkable Sunday afternoon stroll for the Notts opener, smashing 136 from just 65 balls against Northamptonshire Steelbacks. The highest score in Notts' T20 history is the seventh in the Blast all-time list and the fourth-best by an Englishman. Kicked off the competition with a handy 45 in the tied game with Worcestershire Rapids.

Luis Reece (Derbyshire Falcons)

Two fifties and five wickets for the 30-year-old allrounder makes Reece one of the outstanding performers of the opening rounds. Opening the batting and taking the ball in the middle-overs means he has plenty of responsibility but he's responded, even though his heroics weren't enough to beat Lancashire.

Liam Livingstone (Lancashire Lightning)

Warmed up for a return to England duty with a sparkling 94 from 58 balls against the Falcons, mashing 10 fours and two sixes, tallying up nicely with Joe Buttler. Picked up Billy Godleman and Colin Ackerman for good measure to cap a stunning week.

Marnus Labuschagne (Glamorgan)

Probably the outstanding player of the opening exchanges. Unable to join up with his country, what has been Australia's loss is Glamorgan's gain. Three fifties in as many innings and four wickets via his handy leg-spin has only contributed to one Glamorgan win but it has been a joy to watch.

Jack Leaning (Kent Spitfires)

Played a vital hand in helping Kent rebuild and then beat Middlesex, as he and Jordan Cox both put on 64 in a stand worth 123 in 12.1 overs, before later picking up John Simpson. Player another wonderful hand with the Spitfires in strife against Gloucestershire, hitting 81 from 51 balls.

^{Phil Salt has contributed with the bat and the gloves}

Sam Curran (Surrey)

The CSK allrounder wrestled control of the London derby with Middlesex almost single-handedly, taking three wickets in 10 balls, running out Nathan Sowter and then bowling Steven Finn. Then with Surrey ahead of the rate at Taunton, he smashed 72 at a strike-rate of 200 to secure victory with four overs remaining.

Chris Green (Middlesex)

Signed to temporarily replace Mujeeb ur Rahman, the Aussie produced the only five-for of the competition so far against Kent at Canterbury. He was far from expensive during his new-ball spell, finishing with 1 for 14 but returned at the death to claim four wickets in the final over, including a hat-trick of Leaning, Darren Stevens and Matt Milnes. 

Sam Cook (Essex Eagles)

The Essex quick was inspired with the new ball against Somerset, avoiding substantial punishment and dismissing the top two James Hildreth and Tom Banton in successive balls to help secure a narrow victory. He added two more openers to his record in defeat Hampshire, picking up James Vince and D'Arcy Short before dismissing the elusive Labuschagne in defeat to Glamorgan.

^{Joe Clarke set a new Notts T20 record over the weekend}

Fred Klaassen (Kent Spitfires)

Three wickets in nine balls against Hampshire laid the platform for the Spitfires victory as the visitors collapsed badly after a good start. Finished with 4 for 32 but was equally as influence against Derbyshire, bowling Benny Howell and dismissing Tom Taylor in successive balls to prevent Gloucestershire from completing an unlikely victory.

Matt Parkinson (Lancashire Lightning)

The iron fist behind the velvet glove in the Lancs attack, coming in later in the innings to caused havoc and take partnership-breaking wickets. Key scalps of Leus du Plooy and Rishi Patel secured the victories over Derbyshire and Leicestershire while the leggie did well to claim 2 for 32 amid tough circumstances against Worcestershire.