After looking for so long as though it would not happen, the 2020 Vitality Blast season begins on Thursday with the 18 counties all competing in a slightly rejigged tournament in order to fit it in over a shorter space of time.
When times were normal it was Essex who was winning this title last year when they outlasted Worcestershire on a wonderful finals day at Edgbaston and they will be eyeing up a strong defence of their title.
Recent Winners
2019 – Essex
2018 – Worcestershire
2017 – Nottinghamshire
2016 – Northamptonshire
2015 – Lancashire
2014 – Birmingham Bears
2013 – Northamptonshire
2012 – Hampshire
2011 – Leicestershire
2010 – Hampshire
Main Changes
There have been some changes to the competition for this season. The two group format had had to go by the wayside and the three groups that are being used in the Bob Willis Trophy are also in use for this competition. Each county plays the other five in their group home and away, although some matches are at neutral venues because of certain grounds being taken away to make up international bio-secure bubbles, while TV are showing double headers this year which has created more neutral games. The top two from each group and the two best third placed teams progress to the knockout stages. The other change is that the four quarter finals will take place on the same day on October 1 ahead of Finals Day on October 3.
Other Changes
The other thing you will notice as the tournament goes along is that with crowds not able to attend the group phase of the competition, there are an awful lot more day matches. These games are streamed on the county websites so they are accessible. The other thing to note is that with the current quarantine restrictions in place in the UK, overseas or Kolpak players who are not UK based permanently will not be competing this season.
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North Group
The rejigged North Group accounted for half of the competitors at Finals Day last season with both losing semi-finalists being in this section. Nottinghamshire have won this tournament back in 2017 and are always one of the favourites to go all the way before a ball is hit. That is no different this season. Derbyshire were the other semi-finalists last season and they have already begun the four-day format very strongly. The two Roses sides – Lancashire and Yorkshire – will have an expectancy on them. Lancashire won this title in 2015 but Yorkshire are perennial underachievers in this competition. Durham and Leicestershire are the other two counties in this group and the latter in particular have shown through the years they are not to be underestimated in this format.
Central Group
Worcestershire and Northamptonshire have been two of the better teams in this competition over the last five years and they will both be looking to come out of what looks like being a very tough Central Group. Worcestershire have been in the last two finals of the Blast while Northants won the title in 2013 and 2016 and lost in the final in 2015. Birmingham Bears always have the lure of home advantage on Finals Day to spur them on and they should never be ruled out while Somerset have one of the best squads going in any format of the game. Glamorgan and Gloucestershire don’t look as strong this year but the latter are another team you write off at your peril.
South Group
It doesn’t matter whether the South Group is six teams or nine it always looks very and this year is no different. The defending champions Essex will look to make a successful defence of their title from this group, a section which 5-10 years ago were often getting three or four teams into Finals Day such was its strength. The depth in quality of it might have waned a little in recent times but with the resources that Surrey have and the one day winning experience Hampshire have this group should still be competitive. Kent have made big strides in recent seasons while Middlesex and Sussex are sure to be competent when they have a full squad available.
Betting
As with the Bob Willis Trophy, I’m not going to go too mad on outright betting for this tournament. The bulk of this event is going to be played in September so there will be weather issues to deal with and with counties not at full strength either due to England call ups, issues with overseas players or problems with Covid tests down the line, there is no guarantee that we get a true winner of the competition. All my outright bets will be value ones as a result of that and that will start with one here.
Derbyshire are flying in the Bob Willis Trophy and of all the sides who are going to be affected by players not turning up I think they will be affected relatively little. Ravi Rampaul is a bit of a loss admittedly but the rest of those who were important to their progression last season are still with them which is important. They have a top four that works and as pitches get tired their slower bowlers are going to come to the fore. Derbyshire are a side who actively target this competition these days and at 25/1 when they are situated in much the weaker of the three groups, they look a value outside bet.
Tips
Back Derbyshire to win 2020 Vitality Blast (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 26.00 with William Hill (1/2 1-2)
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