The Cricketer provides all the information you need ahead of a busy day of action as teams start to jostle for position...
When: Monday, September 14, 2pm
Where: Ageas Bowl
Lowdown: It’s getting increasingly difficult to see how Hampshire can qualify for the knockout stages, having lost to both Sussex and Middlesex in their last two games. Kent find themselves level on points with Surrey after being beaten on Saturday by Sussex, who avenged their one-run defeat earlier in the competition.
One to watch: Joe Denly is back in county action after being released from England’s ODI squad. He made 32 on Saturday against Sussex, while also bowling three economical overs of leg-spin.
Tickets: The match will be played behind closed doors.
Weather: Glorious sunshine.
Prediction: Kent
When: Monday, September 14, 2pm
Where: Hove
Lowdown: Reigning champions Essex are still looking for their first win of this year’s competition. It is hard to see it coming at Hove, where Sussex have been imperious for the most part. Luke Wright is the tournament’s top run-scorer and his side top the South Group.
One to watch: Ravi Bopara will play against Essex, which feels almost like a contradiction of terms. His Sussex career is yet to truly ignite, but he is far too classy a cricketer not to come to the party at some point soon.
Tickets: The match will be played behind closed doors.
Weather: Warm sunshine.
Prediction: Sussex
Ravi Bopara will come up against his former county
When: Monday, September 13, 6.15pm
Where: Lord’s
Lowdown: Two sides playing well, both of whom find themselves in the shakeup for a knockout place, whether in the top two of the South Group or as a lucky loser. Surrey won the first instalment between the teams. A Middlesex win would make for an intriguingly clustered look at the top of the table.
One to watch: Tim Murtagh came into Middlesex’s side as a late injury replacement for young leg-spinning allrounder Luke Hollman on Saturday, before taking two wickets in a typically miserly new-ball spell – a fine effort from the 39-year-old in his first T20 match for four years.
Tickets: The match will be played behind closed doors.
Weather: Sunny with highs of 28 degrees.
Prediction: Middlesex
When: Monday, September 14, 6.30pm
Where: Headingley
Lowdown: Roses clashes are always important, feisty affairs. This one will be no different despite the lack of spectators. Both teams need to win in order to remain on the coattails of unbeaten Nottinghamshire. Defeat for Yorkshire would prove more costly to their chances who would risk being cut adrift.
One to watch: Yorkshire’s top order – even in the absence of Joe Root – has plenty of Blast pedigree. In Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Adam Lyth and David WIlley, there is hitting power in abundance. Watch out, too, for Jordan Thompson, who has enjoyed a fine breakout season across both formats this year. He struck 44 off 19 balls against Leicestershire.
Tickets: The match will be played behind closed doors.
Weather: Sunny and pleasant evening.
Prediction: Yorkshire
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