T20 Blast essentials: All you need to know ahead of the opening evening of the competition

The Cricketer provides all the information as Worcestershire begin their defence of the title against favourites Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge

NORTH DIVISION

Nottinghamshire v Worcestershire

Where: Trent Bridge

When: Thursday, July 18. Play begins at 7pm.

Lowdown: Worcestershire begin their T20 Blast defence at the home of this year's favourites.

One to watch: Just a few days after suffering World Cup heartbreak, what sort of mood will Martin Guptill arrive in, and will he be able to put his batting woes in the tournament behind him?

Weather: Dry throughout, with the evening sun likely to be on full show for spectators at Trent Bridge before sunset at around 9:10pm. 

Tickets: £10 Adults, £5 Under-16  - click here for more details.

Prediction: Nottinghamshire

^{Martin Guptill suffered World Cup agony on Sunday}

SOUTH DIVISION

Middlesex v Essex

Where: Lord's

When: Thursday, July 18. Play begins at 6:15pm.

Lowdown: Both Middlesex and Essex will be looking to avoid a repeat of last year's disappointing campaigns with a win here. They managed just four wins from 25 T20 Blast games between them last season.  

One to watch: AB de Villiers is the standout name for this match and the 35-year-old former South Africa international will make his first appearance in English county cricket here.

Weather: Dry and cloudy with some sunny outbreaks, while temperatures are expected to be in the early twenties for much of the game.

Tickets: Tickets for this game are sold out.

Prediction: Middlesex

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Glamorgan v Somerset

Where: Sophia Gardens

When: Thursday, July 18. Play begins at 6:30pm.

Lowdown: The Royal One-Day Cup winners will be looking to set themselves up for a white-ball clean sweep when they begin their T20 Blast journey against Glamorgan in Cardiff.

One to watch: After a World Cup in which he demonstrated his immeasurable talent, Pakistan's Babar Azam, the no.1 T20I batsman in the world according to the ICC rankings, will hope to inspire further white-ball success for Somerset.

Weather: Dry throughout with plenty of sun expected and temperatures in the high teens.

Tickets: £15 Adults, £5 Under-17  - click here for more details.

Prediction: Somerset

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