T20 Blast team of the week: Who joins Shan Masood and James Vince?

SAM MOAKES selects the standout performers from the past week of T20 Blast action

Shan Masood (Derbyshire)

The second-highest run-scorer in this year’s competition stars again. His 75, scored at a strike rate of 150, gave Derbyshire the edge in a five-run thriller versus Lancashire while earlier in the week, his half-century share of a 95-run partnership was enough to down Northamptonshire.

The Pakistan international now has five half-centuries in the Blast, becoming the second batter to cross the 500-run mark this year. 

James Vince (Hampshire)

A fourth T20 ton for Hampshire and his second in two games. Vince’s 129 not out against Somerset is the highest score in the competition so far. Ably assisted by Tom Prest’s 62, the Hants captain smashed his runs at a strike rate of 208, often opting for the aerial route with 10 sixes and nine fours. He scored 20 off the penultimate over, ruining Jack Brookes’ economical figures with two maximums and a four.

Despite failing with the bat the next evening, Vince captained his side to their eighth win in nine games.

^{Tom Banton [Harry Trump/Getty Images]}

Saif Zaib (Northamptonshire)

With a half-century and a couple of double-figure starts coming into the week, Zaib stood out in Northamptonshire's top order. He accumulated a career-best 92 against Derbyshire, a knock that included eight fours and four maximums, but missed out on a maiden century thanks to a run out in the final over of the match.

The 24-year-old continued his form in the next game, scoring 74 from just 32 balls in a high-scoring loss against the Bears. A further 10 runs against Yorkshire means Zaib is the leading run-scorer of the week.

Adam Hose (Warwickshire)

A game-winning half-century is great, but a ton is even better - and Adam Hose managed to get both this week. The first, a knock of 63 not out off 44 balls, helped the Bears chase 211 against Northants with seven balls to spare, including a pair 50-plus partnerships with Alex Davies and Chris Benjamin.

Even more glamorous was a 110 not out against Worcestershire, scored at a pace of 207, which steered Warkwickshire to a 144-run win - their highest-ever margin of victory in the Blast. Hose is the fifth batter to score a ton in this year’s competition.

Tom Banton (Somerset)

An abundance of positive displays throughout the Blast at the top of the order and an absence of high-scoring wicketkeepers means Banton is in at No.5 this week. The 23-year-old once again opened his bag of tricks, bringing up a half-century against Hampshire with a ridiculous switch-hit six over third man. This knock of 54 is his highest score of the 2022 Blast so far, while he also contributed 39 from 25 balls in a final-ball defeat to Surrey.

^{Samit Patel [David Rogers/Getty Images]}

Wayne Madsen (Derbyshire)

Wayne Madsen's two half-centuries this week were a masterclass in quick-scoring power hitting. His 73 from 37 balls made light work of the chase against Northamptonshire while 70 runs at a strike rate of 225 was enough for Derbyshire to claim victory over Lancashire. These two match-winning knocks make Madsen the highest-scoring English batter for a Derbyshire side sitting third in the North table.

Steven Mullaney (Nottinghamshire)

Mullaney’s consistency in pitching in with bat and ball earns him an allrounder spot in this team. Mullaney thumped 45 from 20 balls against Derbyshire, helping Nottinghamshire to their highest T20 total of 247, before taking 2 for 17 with the ball and removing Hayden Kerr and Madsen at an economy of just 4.25 an over.

The Outlaws allrounder also hit a game-high unbeaten 34 in a rain-affected win over Durham on Saturday.

Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire)

Absent with the bat in recent matches, Patel has been imperious with the ball instead. The slow left-armer has taken a wicket in every Blast match he’s played since the opening day, taking combined figures of 7 for 77 in his three games this week. This included a crucial three-over spell of 2 for 16 against Durham. He is Nottinghamshire's most economical T20 bowler this season.

^{Dom Bess [Stu Forster/Getty Images]}

Dom Bess (Yorkshire)

The young off-break bowler took career-best figures of 3 from 15 from four overs against Worcestershire, limiting and then dismissing Jake Libby, captain Colin Munro and Ed Barnard. Bess conceded just one boundary, from his final ball.

He also took two wickets with an economy of 6.25 against Northamptonshire, showcasing his growing control with the ball.

Aaron Beard (Essex)

Beard has excelled in his first two matches in the Blast this year, influencing wins against Middlesex and Surrey. The 24-year-old right-arm seamer took 2 for 22 against the former before claiming career-best figures of 4 for 29 against a talented Surrey side, including snaring three of Surrey’s top four. The delivery to Jason Roy, a yorker that sent off stump flying, was a particular highlight.

Naveen-ul-Haq (Leicestershire)

The leading wicket-taker in the competition once again showed his class this week. The Afghan international was far too good for Nottinghamshire’s tail, claiming the final four wickets in a 47-run victory for Leicestershire. Naveen-ul-Haq now has two four-fors and a five-for in the competition, more than any other bowler.