SCOTT DUKE-GILES profiles which young pretenders you should keep an eye on during the 20-over competition which runs from May 20 to Finals Day on July 15
As the T20 Blast kicks off, young county players from across the country will be sensing an opportunity chance to make a name for themselves.
Late arrivals and international call-ups will ensure chances aplenty for those looking to either making their first strides into the competition or seeking to become established figures.
The Cricketer has picked out a handful of young players who you should be looking out for...
It makes sense to start with one of England's brightest prospects in both red and white ball cricket. At just 18 years old, Ahmed has his sights firmly set on being his country's next king of spin. Leicestershire's leggie became England's youngest-ever Test cricketer against Pakistan in December and after Christmas, he made his debut for the white-ball sides. More wickets in this year's Blast will ensure he maintains the enormous hype around his precocious talent.
Lancashire's 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batter will be looking to bring some of the form he has shown in the County Championship so far this season to the Blast. Bell scored two half-centuries (60 and 56) in the draw against Essex. With Jos Buttler and Phil Salt away playing in the IPL, expect Bell to get a good amount of game time as the Lightning embark on improving on last year's runners-up finish.
Tawanda Muyeye played six Blast matches for the Spitfires last term (Harry Trump/Getty Images)
The Zimbabwe-born batter will be looking to build upon his successful 2022 season. Voted Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year for 2019, Muyeye (22) will be aiming to make himself a regular fixture in the Kent Spitfires lineup in this year's Blast. Batting with a useful mix of poise and power, Muyeye's best innings in last year's Blast came against Surrey, where several well-struck sixes helped him to 41.
Expect Middlesex's right-arm seamer to get some more game time in the Blast this summer. Harris, who bowls at a decent pace and gets quite a bit of bounce, signed a new contract with Middlesex until at the end of 2023. In his starts last season, he picked up key wickets and dismissed big names like Rilee Rossouw and Dom Sibley. This year he will be looking to build on a winter of preparation to take the Blast by storm when he gets the opportunity.
Smeed became the first player to score a century in The Hundred last summer and will be keen to maintain the buzz around his talent. He averaged 27.13 and scored 407 runs in last year's competition - his personal highlight being an impressive innings against Surrey where he scored 98 off 51 balls. A white-ball-only player these days, he'll be eager to kick start his summer.
Jamal Richards signed pro terms before the start of the season (Handout/TGS Photo/Essex CCC/Handout via Getty Images)
Richards could make his Essex debut in this year's Blast. The man from Edmonton, North London impressed for England's Under-19s when they played Sri Lanka and Australia over the winter. The allrounder signed a new deal with Essex in February. Head coach Anthony McGrath said: "Jamal is one of the brightest talents on the County circuit, so we're thrilled to have him re-sign. He has raw pace with ball in hand and can hit it a long way with the bat too."
Having made his debut in the 2021 Blast, Prest (20) had a good season last summer and will be keen to develop further when playing for the reigning champions. He caught the eye as he posted a well-made 64 on Finals Day, in the semi-final against Somerset. England's Under-19 captain from the World Cup will want to get off to a good start this season.
Sussex will be thankful that exciting right-arm seamer Henry Crocombe (21) has fully recovered from the torn shoulder ligaments which kept him out of the end of the County Championship last season. Crocombe has started the 2023 season very well, having taken 11 wickets so far including 4 for 47 in the second innings against Durham. A player who has ambitions in red and white ball cricket, Crocombe is someone to keep an eye out for.
Ben McKinney spent the winter leading England's youth sides (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The left-handed batter earned a deal with Birmingham Phoenix after some big hitting in last year's Blast. Whilst he only played four innings, he averaged 55.33 last season (the third-best), with only Chris Lynn and Adam Hose placed higher. Among these innings was an unbeaten 63 against Yorkshire which marked him out as a player starting to fulfil his massive potential.
Having captained the Young Lions and England Under-19 sides in Australia last winter, McKinney (18) made his debut in the County Championship in early April. He made a neat 35 in the first innings against Sussex and will be pushing for a T20 debut in the Blast over the summer. An eye-catching and expansive opening batsman, McKinney could make an exciting duo with Alex Lees at the top of Durham's order.
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