Somerset scythe their way into Twenty20 contention
Published:Having stormed to the top of the South Group, Somerset Sabres are 3/1 favourites to win this year’s Twenty20 Cup.
Led by the pugnacious hitting of captain Marcus Trescothick and West Indies all-rounder Keiron Pollard, the Sabres have bludgeoned their way to 11 wins from 16 first round matches.
And having booked a home quarter-final against Northamptonshire (which the hosts are 2/5 to win), Somerset are primed to regain the trophy they won in 2005.
Having led the South Group for long periods, pre-tournament favourites Sussex Sharks faltered towards the end of the group stage and they will now travel to Nottinghamshire.
Nottinghamshire Outlaws are 4/1 to win the Twenty20 Cup, and they will be counting on their England stars such as Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann to deliver at Trent Bridge.
The Sharks are 5/1 to retain the title they won at the Rose Bowl last year, and if the likes of England duo Matt Prior and Luke Wright fire, they will be tough opposition for any side.
Sussex ended the group stage with a defeat to in-form Hampshire, who qualified for the quarter-finals courtesy of a run rate superior to Middlesex and Surrey.
The Hawks are 8/1 to claim their first Twenty20 title at their home ground, the Rose Bowl, and Dominic Cork’s side have been in imperious form of late.
Standing in their way, however, will be Warwickshire Bears, who topped the North Group with 11 wins in 16 matches.
Warwickshire are 8/11 to win this quarter-final clash, and with Twenty20 specialists Darren Maddy and Jim Troughton in their ranks, the Bears could be worth backing at 6/1 to win the tournament.
Who will you back for the Twenty20 Cup? Essex are 6/1 to win the trophy. See the full Twenty20 Cup market.
