Four matches to decide who makes it to Finals Day on September 15 at Edgbaston. Here’s how they’re lining up.
Kent v Lancashire
Thursday August 23, 7pm
After a thrilling, high-scoring victory over table leaders Somerset, Kent will be eager to demonstrate their nerves of steel once more – again, at the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury thanks to a top-two placement in the South Group. The Spitfires have an explosive batting triumvirate in Daniel Bell-Drummond, Sam Billings and Joe Denly. When these three perform, Kent look a real force. Their bowling attack is dangerous too. Kent will look to combine the good form of New Zealand quick Adam Milne with the experience and poise of Mitchell Claydon. Denly’s leg-breaks can also be very useful, as a hat-trick against Surrey proved in July.
Corey Anderson has been, and will be, a key man for Somerset. In the three consecutive victories which guaranteed Somerset a well-deserved qualification spot, Anderson hit 150 runs in 78 balls. He doesn’t open or even come in at the top-order, so his hard-hitting, fast-scoring style could be disruptive if Notts allow their bowlers and fielders to get complacent towards the latter end of the Somerset innings. Conditions could also play their part in this game. Against Kent, Somerset bowlers really struggled with a greasy ball, with ex-West Indian international Jerome Taylor bowling two consecutive waist-high no balls. Ultimately though, this game will come down to key wickets. Hales, Wessels and Moores will probably all need to be kept quiet, or got out, for Somerset to build a strong chance of victory.
