Group stages reach thrilling climax

Anthony McGrath's Yorkshire face a nail biting tie against Nottinghamshire

The Twenty20 Cup group stages are set to reach a dramatic conclusion this evening with three of the quarter-final places still up for grabs.

Most of the attention will focus on two winner-takes-all matches between Essex and Hampshire at Chelmsford and Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire at Trent Bridge.

Kent are the other team in contention but they must avoid defeat at Sussex to have any chance of overhauling Essex or Hampshire in the South Division.

The number of contenders was narrowed last night as Somerset’s clash with Northamptonshire at Wantage Road was abandoned due to rain.

That no result confirmed the Steelbacks’ runners-up position behind Warwickshire in the Midlands/Wales/West Division and left the Sabres with too much to do to secure a best third-place berth.

Yorkshire claimed a potentially more beneficial point at Headingley Carnegie as their encounter with Leicestershire was washed out without a ball bowled.

Now one point ahead of Notts in the battle to join group leaders Durham and Lancashire in the knock-out stages, the Carnegie side can afford another no result tonight. Defeat, however, will allow the Outlaws in.

The closest race is in the South Division where, behind leaders Middlesex, Essex and Hampshire are level on 11 points with Kent one point further back.

The victor at Chelmsford is guaranteed to progress but the loser will be left waiting on a favour from eliminated Sussex at Hove.

More bad weather could complicate the issue and see it decided on net run-rate.

The top two teams from each group and the two best third placed teams will qualify for the quarter-finals.

The top team from each group and the best second placed team will receive home draws in the quarter-finals, which means Middlesex and Warwickshire have already secured a home tie.

Due to international fixtures at Lord’s, Middlesex will host their home tie at the Brit Oval.

Two quarter-finals will be played on Monday, July 7, one on Tuesday, July 8, and one on Wednesday, July 9. All quarter-finals have one reserve day allocated.

The Twenty20 Cup Finals Day is on Saturday, July 26 at Hampshire’s Rose Bowl. General tickets have already sold out, however an allocation has been reserved for supporters from each of the four semi-finalists.

This year’s Twenty20 Cup has enjoyed increased ticket sales and many tense last-ball thrillers, with Essex already confirming that their winner-takes-all match against Hampshire this evening is sold out.