T20 Blast essentials: All you need to know ahead of a bumper day of matches

The Cricketer looks ahead to the penultimate round of matches as the quarter-final line-up takes shape...

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SOUTH GROUP

Hampshire v Surrey

Where: The Rose Bowl, Southampton

When: Friday, September 18

Lowdown: Surrey are unbeaten against Hampshire since June 2016. Hants are out of quarter-final contention, but Surrey are top of the South Group, two points ahead of Kent. Already assured of passage to the knock-out phase, a win will assure them of a place in the top two.

One to watch: Will Jacks has half-centuries in each of his last two innings and has formed a fine opening partnership with Hashim Amla

Tickets: The match will be played behind closed doors. 

Weather: Friday will remain sunny throughout the day.

Prediction: Surrey

Sussex v Middlesex

Where: Hove County Ground

When: Friday, September 18

Lowdown: Sussex likely need to win their final two group games to finish in the top two, with Surrey and Kent currently leading the way. Middlesex are not out of contention but can ill-afford any slip-ups.

One to watch: Luke Wright has a strike-rate of over 150 o far in the competition and has offset the absence of Phil Salt.

Tickets: The match will be played behind closed doors. 

Weather: Temperatures will reach 22 degrees on Friday with no cloud cover anticipated.

Prediction: Sussex

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Can Sam Hain take the Bears to the quarter-finals?

Kent v Essex

Where: St. Lawrence Ground, Canterbury

When: Friday, September 18

Lowdown: With Sussex hot on their heels, Kent need to win to stay in the top two contention. The Spitfires have a good recent record against reigning champions Essex, who themselves are still eyeing the last eight.

One to watch: Both Dan Lawrence and Zak Crawley will be keeping an eye on. Both have been lethal since returning from various roles with England.

Tickets: The match will be played behind closed doors. 

Weather: 21 degrees and sunny: perfect for cricket conditions.

Prediction: Kent

NORTH GROUP

Lancashire v Durham

Where: Old Trafford, Manchester

When: Friday, September 18

Lowdown: Lancs will be keen to ensure they fill one of the top two spot ahead to the knock-out stages while Durham will still have eyes on being one of the best third-placed sides

One to watch: Left-arm seamer Luke Wood impressed with three wickets against Yorkshire in their last game, proving he can be pivotal at the back-end of the innings.

Tickets: The match will be played behind closed doors. 

Weather: Friday will see some cloud throughout the day.

Prediction: Lancashire

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Andrew Salter is back to torment Gloucestershire

Leicestershire vs Nottinghamshire

Where: Grace Road, Leicestershire

When: Friday, September 18th 

Lowdown: Leicestershire have to win their remaining two matches to stand any chance of progressing, while Notts will be eyeing on top spot in the group.

One to watch: Alex Hales' form has an up and down in the Blast and he'll be eager to convert a good start into some big runs.

Tickets: The match will be played behind closed doors. 

Weather: Temperatures may be reaching up to 21 degrees, but there will be some cloud around throughout the day. 

Prediction: Nottinghamshire

CENTRAL GROUP

Birmingham Bears vs Worcestershire

Where: Edgbaston, Birmingham

When: Friday, September 18

Lowdown: Birmingham Bears and Worcestershire had a close encounter last time they played, with the former eventually claiming the win. While the Rapids are out of contention, the Bears must keep winning. 

One to watch: Right-handed Sam Hain has been sublime in this competition, adding an unbeaten 43 against Gloucestershire to his two fifties earlier in the competition.

Tickets: The match will be played behind closed doors. 

Weather: Sunny throughout the most part of the day with a brief cloudy interruption. 

Prediction: Bears

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Graeme White will be key to Northants' last eight hopes

Glamorgan vs Gloucestershire

Where: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

When: Friday, September 18

Lowdown: Glamorgan are one of the few sides to have quelled Gloucestershire in this competition, winning their clash last month by 15 runs. they'll be looking to do the double over the Central Group leaders and restore some pride to an otherwise disappointing campaign.

One to watch: Watch out for Glamorgan’s right arm spinner Andrew Salter who secured that victory in Bristol, with figures of 4-20.

Tickets: The match will be played behind closed doors. 

Weather: Twenty-one degrees and sunny throughout the day.

Prediction: Glamorgan

Somerset vs Northamptonshire

Where: The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton

When: Friday, September 18

Lowdown: Northants currently sitting at second in the standings for the Central Group are have to keep winning. Somerset are all-but out of contention and have eyes firmly on the Bob Willis Trophy final next week

One to watch: Left-arm spinner Graeme White has taken 90 wickets in his T20 career. He's been a constant threat in 2020, including against Gloucestershire when he claimed 3-28.

Tickets: The match will be played behind closed doors. 

Weather: It will remain sunny throughout the day, with temperatures at 23 degrees.

Prediction: Northamptonshire

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