Follow this evening’s eight NatWest T20 Blast games, the highlight of which sees Essex Eagles and Surrey, the South Group’s top two, clash.
By Dominic Farrell
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The good news is that there's sunshine @EssexCricket for their big clash vs @surreycricket. Roy + Bopara = fireworks pic.twitter.com/zc1jYorBTZ
— NatWest T20 Blast (@NatWestT20Blast) July 4, 2014
6.07pm - Kyle Coetzer was the one batsman who looked to have settled for Northants but he becomes Ireland’s third victim. The seamer bowled through for superb figures of 3-19.
5.58pm - Could this be turning into a procession? Either way, it’s a ropey powerplay for Northants. Matt Spriegel gives returning wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien his second catch and Ireland a second wicket. The score is 40 for four.
UPDATE: If there is no more rain there will be an inspection at 6:20 then a toss at 6:30. 20 overs per side
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) July 4, 2014
5.51pm - More woe for Northants as Shreck accounts for Adam Rossington. 32 for three.
5.46pm - It’s been an impressive start from the Foxes, who now have Steelbacks dangerman David Willey back in the shed. Scott Styris holds on at mid-off and Anthony Ireland is the bowler celebrating. Northants are 26 for two after four overs.
Ground staff are hard at work and it seems the rain has stopped for the moment. pic.twitter.com/zjf8K6XQsV
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) July 4, 2014
5.30pm - Glamorgan against Somerset isn’t wasn’t do to get going for another hour but that start time has also been delayed. Soggy scenes all over the place.
But we do have cricket at Grace Road and, after opening up with two wides, Charlie Shreck locks in his radar to have Richard Levi caught behind.
Here is the wicket for tonight's game, it is a bit green but should be a good game #GoSteelbacks#reigndefendconquerpic.twitter.com/AxEwDr8A4E
— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) July 4, 2014
5.11pm - Leicestershire Foxes have won the toss and will bowl against Northants Steelbacks. The Grace Road showdown could be the only one of our four scheduled 5.30pm fixtures to start on time as the rain falls at Durham, Worcester and Bristol.
Unfortunately the heavens have opened at New Road #catsanddogs
— Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) July 4, 2014
5.05pm - One of the most mouthwatering clashes on the agenda is Lancashire Lightning’s trip to face Birmingham Bears, pitting Pakistan stars Junaid Khan and Shoaib Malik against one another. Unfortunately, the rain is teeming down at Edgbaston ahead of a scheduled 6.30pm start.
5pm – Hello and welcome to our NatWest T20 Blast blog. Here are today’s fixtures:
North Group
Durham Jets v Nottinghamshire Outlaws, Emirates Durham ICG, 5.30pm start
Leicestershire Foxes v Northants Steelbacks, Grace Road, 5.30pm
Worcestershire Rapids v Yorkshire Vikings, New Road, 5.30pm
Birmingham Bears v Lancashire Lightning, Edgbaston, 6.30pm
South Group
Gloucestershire Gladiators v Sussex Sharks, Bristol, 5.30pm
Glamorgan v Somerset, the SWALEC Stadium, 6.30pm
Essex Eagles v Surrey, the Essex County Ground, 7pm
Kent Spitfires v Hampshire, the Spitfire Ground, 7pm