T20 Blast essentials: All you need to know ahead of Friday's games

The Cricketer looks ahead to eight matches, involving a mouthwatering clash between two of the top three in the South Division

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Durham v Lancashire

Where: Emirates Riverside

When: Friday, August 2. Play begins at 6:30pm.

Lowdown: It is third versus first in the North Division, with the latter the only side left not to have lost a game in the division. The hosts thrashed Leicestershire by eight wickets last time out, while Lancashire suffered the second washout against Derbyshire.

One to watch: D'Arcy Short has undoubted T20 pedigree and that was on show against Leicestershire after he drilled 70 runs from just 36 balls. If he can continue this form, he could put Durham on top of the pile soon enough.

Weather: Cloudy weather expected throughout the match. Highs of 19 degrees Celcius expected.

Tickets: Adults £15, Under 16s £5 - click here to find out more

Prediction: Durham

Nottinghamshire v Birmingham

Where: Trent Bridge

When: Friday, August 2. Play begins at 6:30pm.

Lowdown: Fifth against fourth in this Midlands clash, with both sides wanting to improve their record against geographical rivals after their losses to Leicestershire and Northants respectively already in this campaign.

One to watch: Fidel Edwards has been rolling back the years in the competition so far and could be threatening once again, especially in the powerplay where has looked particularly feisty.

Weather: Once again overcast conditions are due to set in with temperatures entering into the very low 20s. Little chance of rain.

Tickets: Adults £19.80, Under 16s £9.80 - click here to find out more

Prediction: Birmingham

Yorkshire v Worcestershire

Where: Headingley

When: Friday, August 2. Play begins at 6:30pm.

Lowdown: Worcestershire have looked good so far in their attempts to defend their title and they now travel to Yorkshire, who have so far been in underwhelming form.

One to watch: Worcestershire's successful chase against Derbyshire was largely down to Wayne Parnell, who, up the order, smashed an unbeaten 81 from 46 balls. What a player he has been for the county in the Blast.

Weather: Like much of the country cloudy conditions will probably be the conditions which the players will have to adjust to, but there is a chance of some sunny spells as well, with temperatures hovering around 20 degrees Celsius.

Tickets: Adults £19, Under 16s £5 - click here to find out more

Prediction: Worcestershire

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Babar Azam has enjoyed a terrific start to his Somerset stint

Gloucestershire v Essex

Where: Bristol

When: Friday, August 2. Play begins at 6:30pm.

Lowdown: Gloucestershire are still unbeaten in this year's competition, but have only enjoyed a single completed game - a win against Middlesex. Essex, meanwhile, have not won since Cameron Delport's extraordinary display of fireworks proved too much for Surrey.

One to watch: Miles Hammond is a bright young talent and in Gloucestershire's win against Middlesex at Cheltenham, he slapped a quickfire 63.

Weather: A sunny summer's evening at Bristol.

Tickets: Adults £20, Juniors (U18s) £3 - click here to find out more

Prediction: Kent

Somerset v Surrey

Where: Taunton

When: Friday, August 2. Play begins at 6:30pm.

Lowdown: Two sides of whom much is expected. However, both have struggled thus far, each winning just one of four games.

One to watch: Babar Azam is the tournament's top run-scorer. He has been a ray of light in a disappointing Somerset campaign thus far; his partnership with Tom Banton has made for sparkling viewing.

Weather: Friday evening looks a mightily pleasant sight down a Taunton. The sun is set to shine - welcome news for Surrey, whose last game against Kent was recuced to a seven-over contest.

Tickets: Sold out.

Prediction: Somerset

Northamptonshire v Derbyshire

Where: Northampton

When: Friday, August 2. Play begins at 7pm.

Lowdown: Two teams that could do with a win. Northants are improving and growing in confidence after a comprehensive win over Birmingham. Derbyshire have not won since their first outing against Yorkshire.

One to watch: Dwaine Pretorius is a solid signing for Northants. He has performed in patches thus far, while Rob Keogh played a key role in the victory against Birmingham.

Weather: It is set to be dry on Friday evening in Northampton, with late-afternoon sun turning to a cloudier - but dry - evening.

Tickets: Adults £20, Juniors (U14) £7 - click here to find out more

Prediction: Northants

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Tymal Mills has bowled quickly for Sussex in their opening games of the Blast

Hampshire v Glamorgan

Where: Southampton

When: Friday, August 2. Play begins at 7pm.

Lowdown: Glamorgan sit bottom of the South Division, having been bowled out for just 44 by Surrey last week. However, even in that game they looked a cohesive unit in the field and, in Colin Ingram and Fakhar Zaman, they possess a top order to match any.

One to watch: Fakhar Zaman is a thrilling watch. One of several Pakistanis taking part in this year's Blast, he hits it harder and further than most.

Weather: The weather is set fair on the south coast on Friday, with a warm, sunny night in store down at the Ageas Bowl.

Tickets: Adults £22, Juniors (U17) £5 - click here to find out more

Prediction: Glamorgan

Sussex v Kent

Where: Hove

When: Friday, August 2. Play begins at 7pm.

Lowdown: Two of the most impressive sides in this year's competition; Kent are the only team to have won all of their games so far, while Sussex possess a lineup that, on paper, looks tough to match.

One to watch: Tymal Mills. It is tough to pick one out, given the pair of Afghans on show in Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan, as well as the inclusion in the squad of Jofra Archer. However, Mills has been bowling rockets for Sussex thus far. He looks like a man keen on regaining his England spot.

Weather: Cloudy and dry at Hove tomorrow. Decent forecast for a cracking game.

Tickets: Sold out.

Prediction: Sussex

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