Essex can cause surprise in last t20 quarter final

The final Friends Life t20 quarter final sees Nottinghamshire take on Essex for a place the last four.

Essex are the outsiders at 11/8 to reach Finals Day for the first time since 2010, and went out at this stage last year.

Paul Grayson’s men lost their last two games in the South division, but five wins from their opening eight contests proved sufficient for progression to the last eight.

Much of Essex’s success with the bat has come from Owais Shah, who has averaged 51.83 in his eight appearances so far.

The former England international has been particularly adept at launching the ball over the boundaries, ramping up 16 sixes in the tournament, the fourth highest of any player in the competition.

Hamish Rutherford is also one for Essex to pin their hopes on, with the Kiwi likewise firing off 16 sixes in addition to 26 fours.

Ravi Bopara could also be set to shine after a century in Essex’s impressive YB40 win over Surrey on Friday night.

Nottinghamshire are 4/7 favourites, given their impressive form to top the North division with seven wins from the ten matches.

The Outlaws cemented their place as group winners by hitting Lancashire for a 194-6 in their last t20 outing, with Alex Hales hitting an 82 and to add to a 62 score in his previous appearance.

Hales is eighth in this year’s runscorer charts, while Graeme White was in electrifying form in that Lancashire win – claiming five wickets for just 22 runs.

Home advantage has counted for little however in the t20 this summer, with Notts twice beaten at Trent Bridge in the competition, while Essex have picked up three of their five wins away from Chelmsford.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing