Steelbacks to start bid for T20 glory at Bristol

Northants Steelbacks face a trip to Gloucestershire when they get their T20 Blast campaign started later this month.
The Steelbacks won the T20 title in 2016The Steelbacks won the T20 title in 2016
The Steelbacks won the T20 title in 2016

The match at Bristol, on Thursday, August 27, will kick-start a hectic schedule as the County play 10 group matches before the end of September 20.

The Steelbacks face back-to-back away encounters to begin with, with a trip to Worcestershire Rapids coming two days after the Gloucestershire game.

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The first home match comes against Somerset on August 30, and that is followed by three more, against Birmingham Bears (September 1), Glamorgan (September 3) and Gloucestershire (September 11).

Northants then go to Glamorgan two days later before hosting Worcestershire two days after that.

They conclude their group stage campaign with away games against Somerset (September 18) and Birmingham (September 20).

The 10-match T20 Blast qualifying stage has been split into the same North, Central and South groups currently being used in the Bob Willis Trophy.

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North Group: Derbyshire, Durham, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Notts, Yorkshire

Central Group: Northants, Birmingham Bears, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Worcestershire

South Group: Essex, Hampshire, Kent, Middlesex, Surrey, Sussex

The quarter-finals take place on Thursday, October 1 with Finals Day at Edgbaston two days later.

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There are still hopes that some fans may be allowed in to watch the knockout matches and Finals Day, which will conclude England's domestic season.

The new T20 Finals Day date will be held a month later than the original date of Saturday, September 5, chosen prior to the escalation of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vitality Blast matches that are not televised by Sky may be available via the First-Class Counties' live streaming services across their digital channels.

A full break down of how to follow will be available on ecb.co.uk

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ECB chief executive officer, Tom Harrison, said: “After a challenging few months it’s really exciting that we can look forward to three domestic finals at the end of the summer.

"It promises to be a thrilling climax to the season, and something members, fans and everyone involved in the game can look forward to.

“The prestige of a Lord’s final for the Bob Willis Trophy will provide an even greater incentive for the First-Class counties, and it’s pleasing to see so many people watching the high-class entertainment via the enhanced live streams the counties have invested in.

"Finals Day at Edgbaston will also ensure the men’s county cricket finishes the season on a high."

Northants' T20 Blast fixtures

Thursday, August 27: Gloucestershire (a)

Saturday, August 29: Worcestershire (a)

Sunday, August 30: Somerset (h)

Tuesday, September 1: Birmingham (h)

Thursday, September 3: Glamorgan (h)

Friday, September 11: Gloucestershire (h)

Sunday, September 13: Glamorgan (a)

Tuesday, September 15: Worcestershire (h)

Friday, September 18: Somerset (a)

Sunday, September 20: Birmingham (a)