Carlisle Blue

Sussex Bowlers - Ajmal Shahzad and George Garton hang your heads in shame. Economy rates of 7.67 and 8.12 respectively in this 50 over format isn't good enough especially against a batting attack that has had to retire injured their best batsmen.

A busy RL afternoon but quiet on the punting front. Yesterday's result was decided at the toss for Middx and they having put up a reasonable score were unlucky to run into Duckworth Lewis and a wet ball. I will be looking to oppose Hants in their next RL match which I believe is next week away at Surrey. The last thing Middx will have wanted after last nights match in clammy conditions is a 2 hour journey down to Bristol for a match against Gloucester the following day. But I personally couldn't back either side with any conviction. Glos have lost both their games in this competition against two of the teams who you would think will probably end up in the lower half of the southern league and only putting up 260 on Somerset's Tonka town sized pitch isn't great and Middlesex are on the road after a tiring match. The side bet I would be interested in if I get it is an over on the 4's or boundaries (pref 4's) . Glos desperately need a win here and will have to play aggressively if they bat first knowing the potential of the Middx bat. The pitch at Bristol is a decent sized pitch ripe for shot making and with Middx bowlers no doubt stiff from bowling last night and Glos a bit powder puff with the ball I can see plenty of balls going over the rope. Lancashire travel to Northants where it is known to offer max value to spinners and Lancs have two of the best in this competition, but Lancs have travelled without Martin Guptill. I don't think the loss of their star overseas player has been factored into the Lancs odds on quote yet to be honest. The loss of Richard Levi for Northants evens things up a bit. Levi gone also means there will be more food at the break for both sides ;). All in all leaving this one alone. With Notts v Warwickshire if you fancy a side I would suggest waiting for the toss result. The pitch at Trent Bridge is obviously in excellent nick. Reckon it's highly likely you could back the team batting first before the match starts and then back the other team at the break and make a profit either way. Or if you fancy the bowling team wait for the break and probably a bigger price. Over at the Oval I want to be with Surrey against Somerset but they haven't convinced me as a reliable option this season so leaving this too. So my only bet today is over at Cardiff where it is expected to be cloudy but dry all day. I'm all over Sussex to bt Glamorgan. Glamorgan have won their only RL match against Gloucester, but that was the day after Glos played a RL match and hence were a bit worn and Glamorgan were fresh and at home. No Dale Steyn for Glamorgan either in this format! Sussex lost their first RL match against Essex where they ran into a Jesse Ryder ton. Ryder is hit or miss on that day he was a hit. But Sussex have a better quality and depth in batting and bowling than Glamorgan. Whilst this isn't the 20/20 area I'm also keen on the overs on the 6's in tonight's Kent v Hampshire game. Kent's pitch is pretty small and when you have have Afridi, Sammy, Stevens, Billings, Blake, Northeast on show on a small pitch it says 6's to me. Doubling up this and Sussex. Sent from my iPad

The early match today at Middlesex's training ground at Radlett looks potentially interesting for Middlesex to do the treble over Hampshire having beaten them recently in the County Championship and 20/20 matches. But I would suggest waiting for the toss result! Whoever wins the toss I expect them to select to bowl for two reasons. Firstly rain is forecast later this afternoon for the Radlett area and also because having seen a clip on the Middx website of the pitch at Radlett it looks greener than a water melon. This in addition to the news that Hampshire are missing James Vince and his replacement Alsop, Middx seem to have an awful lot in their favour. They have named a full strength team including McCullum and Morgan. Going to wait for the toss result before getting seriously involved.

Bit of Royal London team news. Firstly an about turn for the Bristol Post with news that Michael Klinger will be back for the match. However doing UK to Aus and back within a week must take a lot of you I'd think. And additionally Stuart Broad will be turning out for Notts v Surrey.

The Bristol Post are reporting that Michael Klinger will not be back for the semi final. This makes Yorkshire heavier favourites than the 1/2 currently available with Corals imo. If you are doing short price accas and can wait a week for the result Yorkshire are a good option. Yorkshire will likely be without Plunkett and Rashid but will have Lyth, Ballance, Bairstow and Lees available.

Big toss to win in an hour. The result could likely depend on it. It is such a shame that the pinnacle of our T20 tournament is being decided in such underwhelming circumstances with low totals. Anyway think on a poor pitch that Lancashire's numerous spin options and game changers lower down the order has them in the box seat. Northants of course have Afridi, and because of his spin attack and batting potential to take a game away I am actually afraid ;)

I'm on Lancashire tomorrow to win and taking Ladbrokes 10/3. The key differential in T20 is to not only being able to bat deep but also have game finishers. In the first game Lancashire have Jos Butler and James Faulkner. Hants have got zip. Get past the top 3 and its start the car. Lancs would then face the winner of Warwickshire v Northants. I do think Northants can get past Warwickshire, they bat deep and do have quality lower down the order. But I just think Lancashire have a little bit more! Fancy both teams to score the most 6's (Lancashire and Northants) in the semis too.

Absolutely gutted for Kent. You could say that they were unlucky but Kent should have won and if their openers hadn't have put the team under pressure very early they would have done. They will be back next year but wouldn't be surprised if they need to look to an international wicki / batsman to cover Billings who I am sure will be more involved in the England set up. One other thing I did want to mention from one of the games earlier this week from the Notts v Durham game I found out the ECC allowed Hales and Taylor to play for Notts but made a late call not allowing Stokes to play for Durham and Ben who expected to play spent the day in the clubhouse. Very poor show that by the ECC in my opinion who should have been more even handed. Anyway obviously very pleased with the Yorkshire result. They are now favourites but probably only until the result of the Notts v Surrey match is known. Yorkshire should make now make the final especially at Klinger flies back home to Australia today to deal with family issues and it isn't certain if his wife will allow him to fly back a week later to platy for Glos in the semi final a week on Sunday. Can't see Glos being competitive enough without Klinger!

Good calls in the first two QFs Moz. Hope you get the Essex one wrong though lol ;). Come on the Kent Spitfires!

Weather forecast was for the rain to have stopped some time ago in Bristol, can only think they are having trouble clearing the water. Personally think the longer the delay the more it favours Hampshire.

I agree Howzat that Notts are there to be shot at and as mentioned above they do have a bit of a history of losing knockout matches just before the final. The only thing re their bowling attack is that I believe Tahir is due back at some point but I am not too sure when. South Africa play their last ODI match v NZ today so it is feasible he could be back for the semi.

Durham threw the game away last night having been in the box seat so the Durham position was easy to get out of as past their openers their batting is fragile. Considering the potential home semi final draw against either Glos or Hants I was a little surprised that Yorkshire haven't shortened up from the 6/1 and that Kent / Surrey haven't drifted a bit having to play Notts. Todays game whilst being in overcast shouldn't be rain affected. I am looking around for the best under option on the maximums. Bristol has long boundaries and the conditions aren't too great. Not many books have the option. Taking Corals under 8.5.

Books looks like they don't quite know how to price up this game now. Saw Paddy initially had Durham at 8/13 and other had Notts at 2/7 should be fun to watch. You would think Notts will post 150 which should mean Durham will be chasing around 190.

The draw has been done. The winner of Notts v Durham have to travel to the winner of Kent v Surrey. Winner of Glos v Hampshire is on the road to winner of Yorkshire v Essex. Good home draw for Yorkshire if they get through.

Think the rain will be clear by about 7.30pm. Royal London rules state that in the knockouts both teams have to bowl a minimum of 20 overs to constitute a result. There is reason to think that if the rain has cleared by c 7.30pm with an intended finish time tonight of 9.45pm it would be possible for the umpires to call it a 20 - 24 overs a side game. If that is the case it is possible that Notts could get very unlucky here. Obviously it would be a Duckworth Lewis adjusted target which would probably still be a tough chase. But the outfield will still be wet and wet balls don't do as much.