The Vitality Blast returns to t20 county cricket on Saturday 20th May. After a thrilling climax to the Vitality Blast 2022, with Hampshire holding on to beat Lancashire in a nail-biter, more is expected to come.
With a host of familiar faces set to be joined by a strong legion of overseas players and youngsters looking to stake their respective claims, the t20 Blast 2023 is set to be another tournament full of entertainment.
Who are the favourites to win the Vitality Blast 2023?
According to the oddsmakers, there are a number of sides in contention for the 2023 trophy. Naturally, such is the competitive nature of t20 cricket in general, there are teams who will always have at least an outside chance. Realistically, though, there are a handful of clubs who have strong squads and strength in depth.
Somerset, who have been perennial t20 Blast Finals Day participants in recent years, are heavily fancied along with Surrey. Lancashire, who are able to call upon stars such as Jos Buttler and Liam Livingstone, are joined by 2022 Vitality Blast winners Hampshire as other sides fancied by the bookies. Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire and Birmingham Bears are also prominent when it comes to the shorter odds.
What happened in the Vitality Blast 2022?
Hampshire won a gripping Vitality Blast 2022 Final by just one run as they overcame Lancashire to become champions for a third time. Hampshire only came fourth in the South Group with 18 points from 14 games, but they eased past Birmingham in the quarter-finals. Birmingham, who incidentally topped the North Group with the same points tally as Hampshire, were comprehensively beaten at Edgbaston as the Hawks skittled their hosts for 82 in just 13 and a half overs to seal a 104-run win.
Somerset were the opponents in the semi-final but a solid batting performance was backed by tidy bowling as Hampshire sealed their ticket to the Final with a 37-run win. Tom Prest's 64 was added to by a series of influential cameos as the Hawks got to 190-6. In response, Liam Dawson was at his economical best as he took 1-20 in his four overs while Aussie overseas pacer Nathan Ellis removed the dangerous Will Smeed at the top of the order before cleaning up the tail to leave with 3-30.
Embed from Getty ImagesLancashire, meanwhile, were one of three sides to finish on 18 points in the North Group and finished second courtesy of net run-rate. The Old Trafford side make short work of their quarter-final away at Essex, chasing the 162 target with seven wickets and 26 balls to spare. That set up a mouth-watering encounter with rivals Yorkshire in the first semi-final on t20 Blast Finals Day 2022.
The semi-final with Yorkshire did not disappoint as Lancashire were set a total of 205 to chase down, thanks in large part to Jordan Thompson's brilliant late assault to push Yorkshire to a strong total. Despite not having Buttler or Livingstone available, Lancashire again reached the target with relative ease after Phil Salt had given them a blistering start, before Keaton Jennings and Dane Vilas put on 112 for the third wicket as Lancashire got over the line by six wickets and with eight balls remaining.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Final itself was truly one for the ages. Hampshire were four down at the halfway point of their innings, before Ben McDermott was dismissed for 62 shortly after. It was a strong bowling performance from Lancashire, particularly from Matt Parkinson (4-0-26-4), that was only let down by Luke Wells' solitary over disappearing for 21. Hampshire ultimately ended on what was a potentially competitive albeit relatively disappointing 152-8.
Salt went early but Lancashire seemed to be in control, with 49 needed from 44 with Vilas and Wells at the crease. Vilas then departed next ball to leave Lancashire 104-4 but with big-hitting Australian Tim David arriving at the crease. He could not produce the goods, though, and a surprisingly tense finish was in store. Six was required from three when Luke Wood was run out, with the game ultimately going down the last ball with Nathan Ellis defending the five required.
Ellis delivered a stunning yorker to dismiss Richard Gleeson and the Hampshire players began their raucous celebrations, including the fireworks going off. However, it was soon relayed that Ellis had overstepped and it was in fact incredibly a no-ball, leaving three required from the last. The Australian held his nerve once again to bowl a slower ball that was missed again by Gleeson and Hampshire eventually secured a dramatic one-run win.Embed from Getty Images
Four players to watch in the 2023 Vitality Blast
With the introduction of the Hundred in the last couple of years, the t20 Blast has taken on a different form of relevance. While many are still firmly in favour of the original 18-team domestic tournament, there is no doubt that, for now at least, the Hundred is where the relevant eyes are. What the Hundred has given the Blast, though, is the wildcard picks. The eight 15-man squads for the Hundred all have two places remaining which will be left open for standout performers from the Blast.
That means that there is an added motivation for players who were not picked up in the original 2023 Hundred Draft. Whether they were on the periphery of the Draft or prove to be a proverbial bolt from the blue, there will be more eyes on the t20 Blast 2023 as a result.
1) Ali Orr (Sussex)
Orr is definitely a player to watch out for. At such a young age, he has already displayed his skills and ability to make big scores. His first class record is certainly burgeoning, even if this season he has so far been unable to convert numerous starts into bigger scores. He has made double figures in all seven first class matches this season, but has yet to score higher than 36.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe 21-year-old has not played too many t20 matches just yet, but the eight games he has played have shown his talent, with a strike rate of 161.16. While he may need more experience in the shorter format of the game, his talent and potential make him an exciting prospect for the future.
2) Robin Das (Essex)
The 21-year-old made history when he came the first Bangladeshi-born player to represent England, even though it was as a sub in a Test match vs New Zealand. Interestingly, he was selected to play in the Bangladesh Premier League back in January. Unfortunately, he failed to score in the two matches he played, but it was no doubt a great experience.
Now, 2023 could provide Das with an opportunity to breakthrough with Essex. He does not have a whole lot of domestic experience just yet, but he has impressed in second XI cricket and has shown enough to have been picked up for a franchise tournament.
3) Tom Aspinwall (Lancashire)
A young all-rounder who has starred for the England under-19 team in the last few years, Aspinwall could be set to make the next jump in his career with his home county Lancashire. A lower order batter primarily with England under-19s, the 19-year-old also often opens the bowling and has gathered a lot of experience against strong young talents around the world, such as South Africa's Dewald Brevis and Sri Lanka's Dunith Wellalage.
Looking to break into a team that got to the Vitality Blast 2022 Final will be a tough task for any young player, but Aspinwall is surely well-placed to potentially get a look-in this season.
4) Bas de Leede (Durham)
The Netherlands international could well turn out to be a shrewd signing for Durham, who have captured the 23-year-old courtesy of a UK passport. In his 54 appearances in white ball cricket for the national team, he has left quite an impression. What makes him stand out is his versatility as a genuine all-rounder.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe's not only a capable batsman who can hold his own at the top of the order, but also a skilled bowler with good pace. De Leede showed glimpses of his talent at the t20 World Cup and also got his first taste of franchise cricket with MI Emirates in the UAE-based ILT20, with his second set to come in the Hundred with the Northern Superchargers.
Who are the notable county cricket signings for 2023 Vitality Blast?
Derbyshire
Derbyshire have lost last year's t20 captain Shan Masood to Yorkshire, with his compatriot Haider Ali signed as a replacement. They have also picked up fellow Pakistani international Zaman Khan, who has been a key part in Lahore Qalanders' back-to-back titles in the PSL.Durham
Talented all-rounder Tristan Stubbs has been signed by Durham for the Blast to join up with fellow South African David Bedingham who has been a standout performer for Durham in recent years. There is uncertainty around Australia's Ashton Turner making a return, while Stubbs is seemingly likely to forego his contract to join up with South Africa A.
Essex
Aussie all-rounder Daniel Sams has signed for Essex, though fellow Australian Will Sutherland has withdrawn following a back injury.
Glamorgan
The Australian duo of Marnus Labuschagne and Michael Neser will continue in Cardiff alongside South African Colin Ingram, with all three overseas players having played for Glamorgan in recent seasons.
Embed from Getty ImagesGloucestershire
Gloucestershire have signed Grant Roelofsen, who impressed during the SA20 with MI Cape Town, alongside fellow South African Marchant de Lange, the burly fast bowler who had played in recent seasons for West Country neighbours Somerset.
Hampshire
Hampshire have secured somewhat of a coup with the signing of Benny Howell from Gloucestershire, a domestic standout who picked up a contract in the IPL with the Punjab Kings in 2022. He will join Aussies McDermott and Ellis, who were influential in the Hawks' title win last year.
Kent
The experienced Australian seam bowler Michael Hogan, who had originally planned to retire at the age of 41, has traded the Welsh capital for Canterbury, as he joins his compatriot and fellow fast bowler Kane Richardson in signing for Kent.
Lancashire
Vilas will continue at Lancashire and he is joined by New Zealand duo Colin de Grandhomme and Daryl Mitchell to make up a strong and experienced overseas group.
Leicestershire
Leicestershire will have the services of South Africa international Wiaan Mulder and Afghanistan's standout fast bowler Naveen ul-Haq for another t20 Blast season after both re-signed with the Foxes.
Embed from Getty ImagesMiddlesex
Middlesex have been dealt with a number of blows, with Eoin Morgan retiring and Keshav Maharaj pulling out from his deal following a freak injury sustained while playing for South Africa. They have, though, brought back experienced county player Ryan Higgins from Gloucestershire.
Northamptonshire
One of the biggest domestic county cricket transfers in 2023 was David Willey returning to Northamptonshire from Yorkshire. In addition to Willey, they added Australian duo Sam Whiteman and Andrew Tye, as well as their compatriot Chris Lynn who re-signed with the Wantage Road outfit.
Nottinghamshire
Trent Bridge is used to seeing top quality talent and Nottinghamshire have once again ensured that 2023 will be no different. They picked up England quick Olly Stone from Warwickshire and added the incredible Shaheen Shah Afridi alongside t20 great Colin Munro.Embed from Getty Images
Somerset
Somerset made a statement themselves when they picked up Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who was a standout overseas performer in the 2023 Pakistan Super League, from Yorkshire. Peter Siddle has also returned for another season, while Kiwi Matt Henry will join him to form a potent pace attack.
Surrey
Another aforementioned strong favourite for this year's t20 Blast, Surrey have signed up t20 legend Sunil Narine for another season, while they have also snapped up Australia's Sean Abbott.
Sussex
Another star of the t20 game, Shadab Khan, will be gracing the South coast this season after signing for Sussex. His all-round brilliance will replace his namesake Rashid Khan, who represented the side from Hove in recent years. Australian Nathan McAndrew has also been signed, having spent time at Birmingham last season.
Warwickshire
Warwickshire, or Birmingham Bears as they are known in the Blast, have themselves have lost a number of key players such as Stone and Adam Hose, but they have replaced them with a load of proven quality.
Embed from Getty ImagesMoeen Ali has signed from Worcestershire and will captain the team, while one of Australia's premier t20 players in Glenn Maxwell has also signed. Ireland's Paul Stirling has re-signed, while he will be joined by Islamabad United teammate Hasan Ali. Ed Barnard has also followed Moeen from Worcestershire.
Worcestershire
Worcestershire have dealt with the huge blow of losing Moeen by bringing in Hose from the opposite direction. Hose has impressed in the shortest form in recent years, with solid performances in the Hundred earning him a stint in the Big Bash League with the Adelaide Strikers.
He will be joined by New Zealand all-rounders Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner. The latter remains in India with Chennai Super Kings as they gear up for the IPL Final, with Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir ready to provide more than a solid back-up.
Yorkshire
Following a considerable amount of controversy since the end of the 2022 season, there has been a lot of change at Yorkshire. Top t20 players in Willey and Kohler-Cadmore have left, while Shadab has since chosen to sign for Sussex. They have brought in Masood, who played a big part in Derbyshire's run to the quarter-finals last year, and the promising all-rounder Ben Mike from Leicestershire. T20 veteran David Wiese has also signed on for the 2023 t20 Blast at Headingley.
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