Taylor plots late raid for last-ditch Notts

This is certainly the most important match of the week in the North Group with both teams desperate for a win to further their push for a quarter-final place. Nottinghamshire can probably just about afford to lose following their thrilling last ball victory against Lancashire on Wednesday but this is must-win for Durham who are two points off Nottinghamshire, fifth and Lancashire, fourth.

It was Nottinghamshire's second last-ball victory in as many matches, following a two-run success against Derbyshire Falcons last Friday, leading Taylor to believe the force is now with them.

"We knew we had to win all of the last four matches to give ourselves a chance," said Taylor, who squeezed his side home against Lancashire. "We've won the first two of them, albeit narrowly, but the win at Old Trafford has put a smile on a lot of people's faces."

Having won three of their first four matches this season, Durham have since lost six of the following eight and head into this match as underdogs against a Nottinghamshire side looking to reach the last eight for the fifth consecutive season.

Durham are without Calum MacLeod who is playing for Scotland in the World T20 Qualifiers while Nottinghamshire have named an unchanged squad from their nerve-jangling win over Lancashire.

Had Lancashire beaten Nottinghamshire in their crucial match on Wednesday then both they and Birmingham could be said to have been heading into this match with an eye on a home quarter-final. As it it, Nottinghamshire won and Lancashire's qualification is now under threat.

Birmingham, meanwhile, are two points clear of Worcestershire at the top of the North Group and with at least a game in hand on seven of the eight other teams a win will guarantee a home quarter final for the defending champions. Lancashire have named an unchanged squad from their Wednesday-night defeat.

If you want to learn how to play a ramp shot, Warwickshire's Laurie Evans shows you how in this week's edition of The Blast.

Yorkshire's defeat against Worcestershire on Tuesday finally ended their quarter-final hopes which, truth be told, never really existed in a season in which they have only once won consecutive matches and have only won four in total. They have named another strikingly youthful squad which is gaining experience the hard way.

Captain Andrew Gale and Tim Bresnan have been rested, and Ben Coad, James Wainman and Matthew Waite could all make their debut, as could the former Essex legspinner Tom Craddock, all of them joining Ryan Gibson and Karl Carver who played their first games on Tuesday.

Northamptonshire have snuck under the radar somewhat but are very nicely placed in third with three games still remaining. Two wins would guarantee them a quarter-final place but they will be keen to avoid their last two matches becoming must-win by winning this fixture against Yorkshire. Steven Crook is expected to play for Northamptonshire despite nursing a hamstring injury.

Derbyshire were the first team to be ruled out of a quarter-final place this season and they have come up against a rampant Worcestershire side who have won five consecutive matches away from home and are virtually guaranteed a top-four finish. A win for Worcestershire would confirm a home quarter-final. Derbyshire have added Ben Cotton to the squad that beat Yorkshire last week, Worcestershire have named the same eleven players who beat Yorkshire on Tuesday plus Joe Clarke and Charlie Morris in a squad of 13.

b>Sussex v Hampshire, The County Ground, Hove, 7.00

A win would guarantee Sussex not only a place in the quarter-finals but a home tie, while a defeat for Hampshire would end their chances.

Hampshire started the season strongly before losing three in a row but they kept their top four hopes alive with a good win against Surrey last week. They will be kicking themselves that they then proceeded to lose to Gloucestershire on Tuesday, once again throwing them into must-win territory.

Sussex, fuelled all season by the brilliance of Luke Wright, registered a crucial victory over quarter-final rivals Glamorgan last week to move up and above the mid-table scrap in which Hampshire find themselves. Given the nature of the group though, one loss could quickly change that. Hampshire have named an unchanged squad from their mid-week defeat, prizing consistency of selection in a difficult season.

The top-four hopes of the losing team will end after this match.

Somerset's season has been stop-start and, Chris Gayle-aside, fairly tame. Their timid defeat away to table-toppers Kent last week rather summed up a season of mediocrity for the West Country team. They can still mathematically qualify for the quarter-finals but will need to win all three of their remaining fixtures and hope other results go their way. They have added Jack Leach to thei squad and coach Matthew Maynard has floated the possibility of fielding three spinners if the pitch demands it.

Surrey, one place and one point above Somerset are not much better placed but they have at least got a bit of form behind them. Although they lost to Hampshire last week they won three consecutive matches before then to resurrect an otherwise disappointing season. Surrey have named Jade Dernbach, coming back from injury, in their 13-strong squad.

These two counties meet for the second consecutive week after bottom of the table Middlesex recorded only their third win of the season in the first encounter at Richmond to give Essex's quarter-final hopes a hit.

Essex would have been eyeing the two fixtures with glee a fortnight or so ago and will be hugely disappointed if they leave with no points to show. "All the pressure is on us," said head coach Paul Grayson on Thursday. "We've got two matches left and both are must-win games if we are to progress," he said.

"We had a bad night last Friday and we have to put it right. In the past, when we've had a bad performance in a game, we've responded well in the next match and we are going to have to show that character on Friday night.

Middlesex are a dangerous side however, twice scoring over 200 this season and bowling Essex out last week for 109. Given last week's result Essex won't be underestimating their opponents. Middlesex will be without Steven Finn however, who injured his hand when preparing for the Second Ashes Test with England.

With Kent already qualified for the quarter-finals and guaranteed a home tie, this match means more to Glamorgan who in sixth, desperately need a victory to keep their hopes of finishing in the top four alive following a stinging defeat against Sussex last week.

If Glamorgan can win here they'll end their league-stage against quarter-final rivals Gloucestershire in what could be a straight shoot-out for the last eight. Kent will be keen to continue their sensational momentum towards the knock-out stage.