Counties chase huge riches

	Rob Key poses with the silverware and the npower girls © Getty Images

Leicestershire have plenty of Twenty20 pedigree having won the title twice in 2004 and 2006, and can draw on some first-hand IPL experience. Jeremy Snape, one of the original Twenty20 cricketers, was part of the Rajasthan Royals' backroom staff and it will be fascinating to see what skills and innovations he brings to Grace Road.

Durham can also draw on the IPL exploits of Albie Morkel and Shaun Pollock, giving their side depth with bat and ball which will make them dangerous opponents. Lancashire have been inconsistent this season, but Andrew Flintoff is likely to reappear at some point during the qualifiers and can win a match on his own. Lou Vincent and Stuart Law bring power with the bat (and their ICL links).

Will Michael Vaughan be Yorkshire's secret weapon? It's unlikely, he's only played two Twenty20 matches in his career - both for England. But Darren Gough's body should be able to stand-up to a few four-over spells.

Derbyshire have the ability to surprise a few people, with Rikki Clarke and Graham Wagg two of their key players along with Charl Langeveldt's pinpoint yorkers. Nottinghamshire will miss their three England players - Ryan Sidebottom, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann - but watch out for Samit Patel, another England star of the future.

Somerset look the early favourites, with a top order including Marcus Trescothick, Ian Blackwell, Justin Langer and James Hildreth. They are the only team from the group to have previously won the tournament, when Graeme Smith was their overseas player in 2005.

Northamptonshire, with their stack of South African allrounders, have the ability to push them close, but for those hoping for success from young English talent will be keeping an eye on Glamorgan. Herschelle Gibbs is a shrewd Twenty20 signing, and this could be the tournament that allows the youngsters to express themselves.

Gloucestershire made the final last year and possess the destructive Craig Spearman who can destroy any attack. Graeme Hick has shown that age is no barrier to Twenty20 success, but Worcestershire's form is poor and the same can be said of Warwickshire, who are rebuilding under Ashley Giles. However, Twenty20 is chance for both sides to turn their season around.

Surrey, the winners of the first competition back in 2003 and four-time finals day participants, have the pedigree in this group but they face tough opposition from holders Kent as well as Sussex.

All three sides posses some awesome batsmen, but you have to fancy that Sussex's bowling strength, even though Mushtaq Ahmed misses the first part of the competition through injury, could tip things in their favour. Kent have two of the best death bowlers around, Azhar Mahmmod and Yasir Arafat, and also a very deep batting order.

Of the others, Hampshire will struggle to fill the void left by the retirement of Shane Warne, and their big guns, Kevin Pietersen and Dimitri Mascarenhas, will make only the briefest of appearances before the ODI series against New Zealand. Essex will similarly miss Ravi Bopara, while Middlesex don't seem to have the firepower with either bat or ball to be there or thereabouts.