Here’s a team featuring some of the finest performers in this season’s tournament.

Stevie Eskinazi – Middlesex

10 matches, 390 runs @ 48.75, SR: 141.30

The Middlesex opener finished second in the Blast run-scoring charts in 2020 and has been in excellent touch this year, too. In four consecutive matches from June 24 to July 1, Eskinazi reeled off scores of 102*, 64, 91* and 59.

Alex Hales – Nottinghamshire

11 matches, 382 runs @ 47.75, SR: 172.07

While his England exile continues, Hales remains a titan of the domestic game. An unbeaten 101 off just 66 deliveries against Lancashire last week was the fifth T20 hundred of his career.

Will Jacks – Surrey

11 matches, 369 runs @ 170.04 | 4 wickets @ 29.50, ER: 6.21

An explosive presence at the top of the Surrey order, Jacks has impressively built upon a fine season in 2020 when he was named the Blast MVP. His off-breaks are more than handy as well.

Jonny Bairstow (wk) – Yorkshire

4 matches, 295 runs @ 73.75, SR: 175.59

Despite playing in just four matches before departing for England duty, Bairstow still merits a place in this side. After half-centuries in back-to-back innings, Bairstow went to three figures against Worcestershire off just 48 balls while struggling with an ankle injury he sustained mid-innings.

Glenn Phillips – Gloucestershire

9 matches, 421 runs @ 70.16, SR: 165.09

The New Zealand batsman looks to be enjoying his first taste of county cricket – the second-highest run-scorer, Phillips has hit more sixes (29) than anyone else in the tournament.

Harry Brook – Yorkshire

10 matches, 463 runs @ 115.75, SR: 156.41

The only man with more runs than Phillips is Brook, who has excelled in Yorkshire’s middle order. On Friday the 22-year-old delivered the highest T20 score of his career so far, smashing 91* off just 50 deliveries in a Roses clash.

Jordan Thompson – Yorkshire

9 matches, 171 runs @ 34.20, SR: 194.31 | 11 wickets @ 23.90, ER: 10.52

The 24-year-old all-rounder has been among the wickets and played two sparkling innings this year: a 28-ball 66* against Worcestershire – part of a 141-run stand with Brook – was followed a few days later by a 35-ball 74 batting at No.3 against Northamptonshire.

Carlos Brathwaite – Birmingham

9 matches, 18 wickets @ 13.33, ER: 7.53

The West Indies all-rounder has been a potent force with the ball for Birmingham, averaging two wickets a game. Against Yorkshire earlier this week, he ripped through the top order to claim figures of 3-7 as the White Rose were bowled out for just 81.

Callum Parkinson – Leicestershire

12 matches, 16 wickets @ 22, ER: 7.33

After taking 10 wickets at 21 last year to help Leicestershire to the quarter-finals, Parkinson has gone to another level this in 2021: the left-armer has more wickets than any other spinner in the competition.

Jake Ball

9 matches, 18 wickets @ 15.44, ER: 9.37

After finishing as the leading wicket-taker in last year’s Blast, Ball is averaging a wicket every 9.8 deliveries this year and has helped Notts to the top of the North Group.

Naveen-ul-Haq – Leicestershire

12 matches, 21 wickets @ 18.66, ER: 8.77

The Afghan quick finds himself at the top of the wicket-taking charts – an impressive feat for a 21-year-old in his first season of county cricket.