Derbyshire Falcons are ready to unleash star overseas duo Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Marcus North on their NatWest T20 Blast opener away to Leicestershire Foxes on Friday night.
North will make his second Derbyshire debut, after a brief stint in 2006, fresh from a stellar season in Australia.
The veteran left-hander was crowned Sheffield Shield player of the year on the back of leading Western Australia to the final, while he was a key part of the Sydney Sixers team that reached the semi-finals of the Big Bash League.
North arrived in the country this week as cover for Chanderpaul – who jets of for West Indies duty at the weekend – but the Falcons will benefit from having both batsmen available for Friday’s anticipated opener at Grace Road.
“It's massive for us to now have a player of Marcus’ experience and calibre joining us at this time,” Derbyshire’s elite performance director Graeme Welch said.
“I captained Marcus when he played for us in 2006 and the class he showed with his batting was unbelievable.
“You’ve only got to look at the way he played in Australia over the winter to know what kind of player we have at our disposal. He’s a top-class cricketer.”
Leicestershire have an overseas signing of their own with plenty of Twenty20 experience around the globe in Kiwi all-rounder Scott Styris.
“Scott’s experience will be massive for us,” young Foxes skipper Josh Cobb said.
“He’s a serious cricketer with bat and ball as well as being a big character in the dressing room, and he’ll have a massive effect on our T20 campaign.
“I’ve had one year as captain, so to have someone like Scott to lean on from time to time can only benefit the team and I.”
Defending champions Northants Steelbacks face a tough opener away to North Group rivals Yorkshire Vikings at Headingley.
The Vikings are boosted by four England hopefuls – Joe Root, Gary Ballance, Tim BresnanandJonny Bairstow– while they can call on New Zealand international Kane Williamson’s know-how with bat and ball.
Batsman Adam Lyth admits the strength of the Yorkshire line-up is scary as they look make an early mark against the champions.
"We have got a fantastic squad, a very strong squad,” he told ecb.co.uk.
“Competition for places is high and it keeps you on your toes. As a batsman, you just want to get as many runs as you can."
Notts Outlaws will make a late call on the fitness of Andy Carter ahead of their home opener against the Lancashire Lightning.
Carter has been suffering back pain, but is in a 13-man squad that also includes all-rounder Andre Adams.
"It will be a late call on Andy Carter because we need to see him bowl at full-tilt if we are going to include him," director of cricket Mick Newell told the club’s website.
England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler is set to make his Lancashire debut in the shortest format, but Junaid Khan misses out due to a visa delay.
The Pakistan left-armer is, however, set to make the squad for Lancashire home match against the Worcestershire Rapids on Saturday.
Durham Jets have fast-bowling concerns following injuries to Graham Onions and Usman Arshad during the LV= County Championship draw at the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground.
Onions has been ruled out of Friday night’s game against the Rapids – and could be out for longer - after undergoing a scan on a back problem which forced him off at Hove.
Arshad was also forced off, but Jets head coach Jon Lewis is more optimistic over the promising quicks chances of playing and has named him in the squad.
"Usman had a little bit of trouble on day one with his back and his side" Lewis told the club’s website.
"It seems to be settling and the fact that he hasn't had to bowl since has helped. He should be available for consideration on Friday.”
Seamer Jamie Harrison is also fit to return to help alleviate the Jets' bowling worries.