The T20 Blast, the world’s longest-running T20 competition, will once again feature all 18 counties in 2020, and we take a look at the captains leading each side.

For the moment, with the inaugural edition of The Hundred delayed from 2020 to 20201, the T20 Blast remains England’s premier short-form competition, and the T20 Blast captains, while not all global superstars, hail from a number of countries, demonstrating the tournament’s ability to pull in signings.

Essex Eagles, captained by Simon Harmer, are the defending T20 Blast champions, while Worcestershire Rapids, winners in 2018 and beaten finalists in 2019, are boosted by the return of regular skipper Joe Leach. Here’s a look at all 18 T20 Blast captains in 2020.

2020 T20 Blast North Group captains

Derbyshire Falcons captain: Billy Godleman

The seasoned batsman leads from the front as the linchpin in the Derbyshire Falcons’ batting line-up. He captained the side to their maiden Finals Day appearance last year and will be looking to continue that momentum to lift the 2020 trophy.

Durham captain: Nathan Rimmington

Since news broke that Cameron Bancroft would not be available due to the Covid 19 pandemic, questions arose as to who would lead the northern side. His fellow Aussie, Nathan Rimmington, has stepped up to the role and, at 34, will draw on his experience from 81 T20 matches in franchises around the world as Durham bid for their maiden T20 Blast title.

Lancashire Lightning captain: Dane Vilas

The South African had an astonishing 2019, his first year as captain. He averaged 80, 63, and 32 in first-class, List A, and T20 cricket respectively, and led Lancashire unbeaten to the County Championship Division Two title. He boasts a T20 strike rate over 127 and his nifty work behind the stumps will be integral to the Lightning’s campaign.

Leicestershire Foxes captain: Colin Ackermann

Colin Ackermann is not only the captain but also the engine room of the Foxes’ batting line up, while he showed his all-round game by taking world-record figures in last year’s T20 Blast. However, Leicestershire Foxes still finished last of the north group in 2019, so the only way is up for his side.

Notts Outlaws captain: Dan Christian

Fans can breathe a sigh of relief now that their captain has committed himself to the side for the 2020 campaign despite fears over travel and quarantine. Dan Christian offers the complete package and has excelled with both bat and ball in the shortest form of the game. He has played for a number of franchises around the world and has reached a staggering 11 tournament finals, claiming seven titles along the way.

Yorkshire Vikings captain: David Willey

The England star narrowly missed out on a World Cup place in 2019 but has not let this dampen his feisty approach to the game. Since joining Yorkshire Vikings in 2017, David Willey has proved his worth, notably scoring a staggering 118 from 55 balls that season while striking regularly with the ball too.

2020 T20 Blast Central Group captains

Birmingham Bears captain: Will Rhodes

Will Rhodes was appointed Birmingham Bears captain ahead of the 2020 season and at 25, was one of the youngest ever to lead the Warwickshire-based side. Unperturbed by the extra responsibility, the quick-scoring youngster also offers up accurate medium-pace bowling that comes in handy through the middle overs.

Glamorgan captain: Chris Cooke

Chris Cooke made quite an entrance when he joined Glamorgan in 2011, smashing his second, third and fourth deliveries over the boundary for six. Should he get on a roll, the right-hander will be a force to be reckoned with. His cool head behind the stumps will be integral to the role as captain.

Gloucestershire captain: Jack Taylor

Jack Taylor first found his T20 form in 2011, cementing himself as Gloucestershire’s first-choice spinner. Since then he has gone from strength to strength with both his bowling and his batting, averaging 30.88 in the 2018 Blast with a strike rate nearing 200.

Northants Steelbacks captain: Josh Cobb

Josh Cobb is notorious as a T20 batsman but his occasional off-spin should not go unnoticed. It was his quickfire 80 that led the Steelbacks to an historic victory in 2016 and the seasoned captain, who previously led Leicestershire in the 50-over format, will be hoping to use his prior experience to maximise his team’s potential.

Somerset captain: Lewis Gregory

Despite being thwarted by injury for much of his career the batting all-rounder has not been short of runs in the short format and earned a call up for England on their 2019 tour of New Zealand. If he can continue to hit sixes consistently, he will be a dangerous leader of the Somerset side.

Worcestershire Rapids captain: Moeen Ali

Moeen starred with both bat and ball in leading to Worcestershire to their first title in 2018 and then a runners-up finish in 2019. While he has been named as Worcestershire’s captain for the 2020 campaign, Ed Barnard will take up the role while Moeen is playing for England.

2020 T20 Blast South Group captains

Essex Eagles captain: Simon Harmer

Captaining a title defence is never an easy job – no team has yet successfully defended the T20 Blast trophy – but having proved his worth as his team’s leading wicket-taker last season, Harmer will be confident he’s the man for the role.

Hampshire captain: James Vince

The World Cup winner has led Hampshire in all formats since 2015 and has been praised for his captaincy by players and board members alike. A wide range of strokes and a level-headed approach will be integral as Hampshire look to change their fortunes and advance to the knock-out stages for the first time since 2017.

Kent Spitfires captain: Sam Billings

When not on England duty captain Sam Billings is not only a run machine for Kent Spitfires but also the man with the gloves. Kent born and raised, his passion for the side is evident in his captaincy and he channels this effectively into leading from the front.

Middlesex captain: Eoin Morgan

England’s World Cup-winning captain is nominally Middlesex’s T20 Blast captain. But international duty might get in the way of his full commitment to his county side. However, his cool-headed approach and ability to smash boundaries at an alarming rate will be gold dust to the men in pink. Steven Finn will captain the Seaxes when Eoin Morgan is unavailable.

Surrey captain: Jade Dernbach

The tall tattooed county titan made his Surrey debut in 2003. Aside from his appearance, it is his infamous slower ball that Jade Dernbach is most well-known for. But this doesn’t mean he lacks variation and aggression in both his bowling and his captaincy.

Sussex Sharks captain: Luke Wright

The consummate professional has been in demand among franchises around the world; a feat that reflects his powerful hitting and ability to score at an astonishing rate. Luke Wright will be raring to help a star-studded Sussex Sharks side end their decade-long dry spell since they last lifted the trophy.

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