Surrey favourites for Twenty20 cup

Get set for sixes galore as the third edition of the Twenty20 Cup begins on Wednesday, with Leicestershire defending the title they won in surprising but superb fashion last year.

A slight change to the format - with each county playing eight games in an initial group stage - is likely to reduce the scope for an outsider to come through, as consistency will play as much a key as teams that can boast one-off match-winners.

Champions Leicestershire are only 14/1 (15.00) to repeat their feat this time round, while Surrey are predictable favourites at 5/1 (6.00). Lancashire are second favourites at 6/1 (7.00), while Glamorgan are 9/1 (10.00), Warwickshire 10/1 (11.00) and Worcestershire and Yorkshire 11/1 (12.00).

Surrey have lost just once in Twenty20 competition, in last year's final, and it's not hard to see them competing for the crown again this time round. Adam Hollioake may have quit and Graham Thorpe will be missing regularly in favour of England duty, but their experience and class, particularly in all forms of limited overs cricket, is likely to see them up there again. Harbhajan Singh is playing well and all things considered, 5/1 is not a terrible price.

Champions Leicestershire may be 14/1 but a few decent results of late have lifted their confidence and they finished in the top two in both 2003 and 2004. As an each-way bet, they could prove popular. Durham have been tipped for a good run, thanks to their superb start of the season in both the County Championship and National League. They will definitely miss Australian Mike Hussey and Steve Harmison, who were both excellent in the early part of the season. However, Nathan Astle is a fine player and their team spirit may make Bet365 regret their offer of 22/1.

Graham Hick shows no sign of slowing up in his quest for more runs and Worcestershire cannot be discounted at 11/1 (12.00), while Essex and Middlesex, both 12/1 (13.00) shots, have begun well in the National League. The two outsiders, for the record, are Sussex and Derbyshire, who can both be backed at 33/1 (34.00).

In group betting, Surrey, Glamorgan and Lancashire are predictable favourites for their respective sections. Surrey are 15/8 (2.87) in the south, while Lancashire are 2/1 (3.00) and Glamorgan 3/1 (4.00). Durham backers can get 13/2 (7.50) on them topping their group, while champions Leicestershire, in the same group as Lancashire, are 9/2 (5.50). All the group prices are win only.