The Metro Bank One-Day Cup 2023, comprising 77 domestic one-day matches, will be played from 1st August to 16th September.
Points Table
Top Batter - Runs Scored
Most 6s
Top Bowler - Wickets Taken
Points Table
Fixtures Schedule and Results
The introduction of The Hundred has seen some serious decline in the standard and importance of England's premier domestic 50-over competition, the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.
This year as well, most big names - both domestic and overseas - will be busy plying their trade in either The Hundred or in other leagues which have been mushrooming all over the globe.
However, the competition has continued to produce some entertaining and competitive cricket, which was on show last year as well. Some big international cricketers, mostly with red-ball backgrounds, will also be seen in action in the tournament.
The teams have been divided into two groups as follows:
Group A
Nottinghamshire, Surrey, Lancashire, Middlesex, Hampshire, Yorkshire, Leicestershire, Kent and Essex.
Group B
Sussex, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Glamorgan, Northamptonshire, Durham and Derbyshire.
Live cricket streamingofthe Royal London One-Day Cup begins on 1st August.
Squad News
GROUP A
ESSEX
2022 captain: Tom Westley
2022 finish: 6th in group
2022 leading run-scorer: Grant Roelofsen (355)
2022 leading wicket-taker: Shane Snater (14)
Knockout stage appearances: 6 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021)
Titles: 0
Absentees due to The Hundred: Dan Lawrence, Adam Rossington, Michael Pepper, Matt Critchley (London Spirit), Paul Walter (Manchester Originals), Sam Cook (Trent Rockets)
The big question: Can Essex be more consistent? They won three matches last season in a row, and all by huge margins, but two pairs of defeats either side of that run undermined a push for the knockout stages. However, two of those losses did come by the narrow margin of three wickets as well, so it feels like the potential for a more successful campaign is not at all far off.
Key players: Simon Harmer was missed in last year’s tournament, but this time around he should be fully available, adding international-level quality to the Essex line-up. At the top of the order, Feroze Khushi and Tom Westley had productive 2022 seasons, both scoring north of 300 runs, and given the latter’s red-ball form so far this season, hopes are high that he in particular can replicate that.
Wildcard watch: Robin Das has been in good form in the T20 Blast this term, striking 266 runs with two fifties, at a strike rate above 150. He will add firepower to the Essex middle order, and a useful finisher is a valuable role in one-day cricket.
Final thought: After the emergence of the next rank of Eagles stars in 2023, how they have developed over the past year with more first team exposure will be key. With Simon Harmer once again available for this year’s tournament after international commitments kept him out of last year’s campaign, the youngsters will have a greater wealth of experience to look up to, which can only bode well.
HAMPSHIRE
2022 captain: Nick Gubbins
2022 finish: Semi-finalists
2022 leading run-scorer: Tom Prest (402)
2022 leading wicket-taker: John Turner (20)
Knockout stage appearances: 4 (2015, 2018, 2019, 2022)
Titles: 1 (2018)
Absentees due to The Hundred: Liam Dawson, Mason Crane, Chris Wood (London Spirit), Ross Whiteley (Oval Invincibles), Brad Wheal, John Turner (Trent Rockets), James Vince, James Fuller, Joe Weatherley (Southern Brave)
The big question: Can Hampshire back up their exceptionally strong showing last time out with a better performance in the knockout stages? After winning seven of their eight group games, the Ageas Bowl outfit breezed through to the semi-finals, but found themselves undone by a Darren Stevens-inspired Kent at home. The younger players in their squad are a year older and wiser on the back of that disappointment last summer, and hopes should be high of an ability to go further this time around.
Key players: Tom Prest will be looking to back up a sterling 402 runs last season, and Toby Albert is another youngster who made hay with the bat in last season’s competition. Meanwhile, with ball in hand, Scott Currie is a burgeoning talent who took 18 wickets in last season’s competition, second only to Hundred-bound John Turner and just one ahead of another youngster, Jack Campbell. The latter is a left-armer, which is always a useful point of difference in any bowling attack.
Wildcard watch: Hampshire had a remarkably settled squad in last season’s competition, using just 13 players across their nine games, so there are not many wildcards in sight. That said, keep watching out for Fletcha Middleton, a young local batter whose assured showings in this year’s County Championship so far suggest he might be in for a profitable One-Day Cup campaign.
Final thought: Hampshire undoubtedly have a core of quality talent surrounded by up-and-coming youngsters, which is a very positive formula to have. Their problem will be the mental block – can they find it in themselves to repeat last year’s feats after falling so agonisingly short of making it to the final?
KENT SPITFIRES
2022 captain: Joe Denly
2022 finish: Winners
2022 leading run-scorer: Ollie Robinson (534)
2022 leading wicket-taker: Hamidullah Qadri (15)
Knockout stage appearances: 4 (2015, 2016, 2018, 2022)
Titles: 1 (2022)
Absentees due to The Hundred: Zak Crawley, Daniel Bell-Drummond (London Spirit), Sam Billings, Jordan Cox, Tawanda Muyeye (Oval Invincibles), Fred Klaassen (Manchester Originals)
The big question: Might Kent be able to go back-to-back? Last season’s winners did it the hard way, winning just two of their first five matches prior to going on a perfect run in their next five that took them all the way to the trophy. However, the loss of both last season’s leading run-scorer Ollie Robinson and the mountains of experience brought by the now-retired Darren Stevens will make things a little more difficult for them.
Key players: All-rounder Joey Evison played a match-winning role in the final at his former home of Trent Bridge last season. That showing backed up an impressive debut campaign in Canterbury that saw him hit 330 runs and take seven wickets, and he has the ability to make a similar impact this time around. Meanwhile, amongst players in the One-Day Cup, Joe Denly possesses the rare virtue of international experience, and his undoubted quality with the bat could have a real impact in Robinson’s absence too.
Wildcard watch: Young bowler Nathan Gilchrist picked up 14 wickets in last season’s successful campaign, and hopes will be high that he can play with the same maturity beyond his years again this time around. He is a strike bowler, willing to trade in a higher-than-average economy rate in exchange for a plentiful haul of wickets, but he is carrying out that balance with good skill so far in his career, possessing a List A average of 29.04, and will be hoping to kick on even further now he is another year older.
Final thought: Kent face an uphill battle to retain their trophy after the impactful losses of Robinson and Stevens, though there is still hope if the likes of Denly and Evison have good tournaments. They must have a stronger start than they did last season as well, but if they can do that, the possibility of another good showing is there.
LANCASHIRE
2022 captain: Keaton Jennings
2022 finish: Runners-up
2022 leading run-scorer: Keaton Jennings (390)
2022 leading wicket-taker: Liam Hurt (15)
Knockout stage appearances: 2 (2019, 2022)
Titles: 0
Absentees due to The Hundred: Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Tom Hartley, Richard Gleeson (Manchester Originals), Saqib Mahmood (Oval Invincibles), Luke Wood (Trent Rockets), Liam Livingstone (Birmingham Phoenix), Luke Wells (Welsh Fire)
The big question: Will Lancashire be able to go one step further than last season? They will have the opportunity for revenge on Kent, their conquerors in the final last season, in this year’s group stages, when they meet in Blackpool, but personal scores aside, the Red Rose will be looking for another strong showing, and they should have the quality to achieve it.
Key players: The news that his side have the chance for revenge against Kent in his home town will be music to the ears of Blackpool-born Steven Croft, a dyed-in-the-wool Lancastrian who has played for his home county since 2005, during which time he has hit over 18,000 runs for the first team and taken just under 200 wickets across all formats. Also important will be Danny Lamb – brother of England international Emma – who had a good tournament last time out and should have a role to play with the ball before he leaves for Sussex at the end of the season.
Wildcard watch: George Bell is an exciting prospect for Lancashire fans. The 21-year-old is averaging 109 in this season’s Second XI T20 at a strike rate of more than 194, but he has also made an impression in the first team as well, including two County Championship fifties so far this season.
Final thought: Lancashire look as strong as ever. They may have lost their leading wicket-taker from last season, Liam Hurt, but that was through choice rather than necessity, as their decision to release him shows the strength in depth they possess. This is naturally a tough group, but Lancashire should be right in the mix at the top end of it.
LEICESTERSHIRE FOXES
2022 captain: Lewis Hill
2022 finish: Quarter-finals
2022 leading run-scorer: Wiaan Mulder (533)
2022 leading wicket-taker: Beuran Hendricks (17)
Knockout stage appearances: 1 (2022)
Titles: 0
Absentees due to The Hundred: Callum Parkinson (Northern Superchargers), Rehan Ahmed (Southern Brave)
The big question: Will Leicestershire be able to put their recent off-field issues aside to be competitive? The Foxes reached the knockout stages last season, losing to eventual winners Kent, but a recent storm within the club appears to have hit its apex with the departure of some key players and coaching staff.
Key players: The signing of Sol Budinger from Nottinghamshire was a real statement of intent, and in return for putting their faith in him, Leicestershire have received a young, aggressive batter who has the ability to influence matches at this level. The return of overseas player Wiaan Mulder is a boost too for the East Midlands outfit, with the South African having hit 533 runs at an average of almost 89 in last season’s competition.
Wildcard watch: Seamer Michael Finan is a late bloomer, having only made his List A and first-class debuts at the age of 27, but has already taken 21 wickets at 34.33 in the latter format. He can be a fraction expensive, but his wicket-taking ability is not in doubt, and if he can tidy up his economy rate, Leicestershire have in their ranks a bowler of quality.
Final thought: The beginning of the One-Day Cup is an opportunity for Leicestershire to have a fresh start and let their cricket be brought back into focus over their backroom issues. Whether they can take that opportunity remains to be seen but given they will again only lose two players to The Hundred, the belief should be high that they can take advantage of that and compete in a difficult group.
MIDDLESEX
2022 captain: Stephen Eskinazi
2022 finish: 4th in group
2022 leading run-scorer: Stephen Eskinazi (658)
2022 leading wicket-taker: Umesh Yadav (16)
Knockout stage appearances: 1 (2019)
Titles: 0
Absentees due to The Hundred: Stephen Eskinazi (Welsh Fire), Tom Helm (Birmingham Phoenix), Max Holden (Manchester Originals)
The big question: How much of an impact will Stephen Eskinazi’s newly-acquired Hundred contract have on Middlesex’s chances? The 29-year-old was the leading scorer in the entire competition last season, hitting his runs at a stunning average of 94, so his loss will be keenly felt in a side that relied heavily on their efforts with the bat last time out.
Key players: In the absence of Eskinazi, two contenders to replace his runs are Pieter Malan and Sam Robson, both of whom scored at averages above 60 last year as well. Both have international caps under their respective belts too, so their quality is not in doubt, which will come as a relief to Middlesex fans. At the other end of the order, young spinner Luke Hollman will also be looking to back up his impressive 13 wickets last time out.
Wildcard watch: Aggressive wicketkeeper-bat Joe Cracknell has caught the eye over the past couple of T20 Blast tournaments and could be a contender to chip in as a partial replacement for Eskinazi, especially given the fluency with which he scores his runs.
Final thought: The good news for the Seaxes is that no other batter has been called up to the Hundred, so there are plenty of established players who have the proven quality and an opportunity to fill in for Eskinazi. However, 658 runs, which was more than a quarter of Middlesex’s total runs in the competition, can hardly just be pulled out of thin air. Either the bowling attack needs to become thriftier, or the weight on Robson and Malan’s shoulders just got significantly heavier.
NOTTS OUTLAWS
2022 captain: Haseeb Hameed
2022 finish: Quarter-finals
2022 leading run-scorer: Ben Slater (432)
2022 leading wicket-taker: Brett Hutton (22)
Knockout stage appearances: 6 (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022)
Titles: 1 (2017)
Absentees due to The Hundred: Olly Stone (London Spirit), Joe Clarke, Jake Ball (Welsh Fire), Alex Hales, Samit Patel, Matt Carter, Tom Moores (Trent Rockets), Ben Duckett (Birmingham Phoenix)
The big question: Will Notts’ deep squad be able to carry them to a home final? The Outlaws are the only team in the country who would have home advantage in the final were they to reach it, and in reaching the knockout stages last season, they showed they are capable of competing, even with many of their big hitters away on Hundred duty.
Key players: You would be hard-pressed to find many with a better career List A record than Ben Slater. Last season, he averaged 61.71 in the competition, just above his all-time record of 56.69. In 50 innings in the format, he has passed fifty in 22 of them, racing to almost 2,500 runs already. Meanwhile, Brett Hutton took the most wickets of anyone in last season’s One-Day Cup and has started this season in sterling red-ball form too, with his 42 wickets being the joint-highest of anyone in the County Championship.
Wildcard watch: Matthew Montgomery was brought in ahead of this competition beginning in 2021, but over the last year has flourished in all formats as the first-choice replacement for Ben Duckett when the latter has been unavailable due to international commitments. Keep an eye open too for Ben Martindale, a big-hitter and sharp fielder who recently signed a three-year full-time contract after making his debut in last season’s One-Day Cup.
Final thought: How much of a drive the prospect of a home final truly is, is known only to the Notts team themselves, but even without that possibility, the Outlaws are still a well-balanced side that will pose a stiff test to anyone. If they are to play the final in their own back yard, improving their consistency will be key; they won two games in a row twice last season, but defeats punctuated their progress and left them unable to get on any real run of form.
SURREY:
2022 captain: Ben Geddes
2022 finish: 7th in group
2022 leading run-scorer: Tom Lawes (318)
2022 leading wicket-taker: Conor McKerr (10)
Knockout stage appearances: 4 (2015, 2016, 2017, 2021)
Titles: 0
Absentees due to The Hundred: Ollie Pope (Welsh Fire), Laurie Evans, Jamie Overton (Manchester Originals), Reece Topley (Northern Superchargers), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jason Roy, Tom Curran, Gus Atkinson, Tom Lawes (Oval Invincibles), Jamie Smith (Birmingham Phoenix), Chris Jordan (Southern Brave)
The big question: Can Surrey overcome the loss of so many players to the Hundred? Last term, they were shorn of 13 names, which tests even those who have the depth that the Brown Caps possess. Run-scoring was a real issue last season, with their total of 1,720 being the lowest of any of the 18 counties, but their fortunes in that department could be improved by the fact that Rory Burns has not received a Hundred deal this time around.
Key players: Alongside Burns, Ben Foakes is surprisingly also without a Hundred contract and could be licking his lips at the prospect of cashing in in this competition should that remain the case. Meanwhile, Cameron Steel is also a valuable player, with the ability not just to contribute with the bat but also to bowl some handy leg-spin, and he is joined in Surrey’s all-rounder corps by Tom Lawes, who was the Brown Caps’ leading run-scorer and third-highest wicket-taker last time out.
Wildcard watch: Surrey have lost more than the equivalent of an entire team to the Hundred, but the positive side of that situation for them is the number of opportunities presented for fringe players to stake a claim. Left-arm spinner Yousef Majid is one worth looking out for; the 19-year-old took nine scalps in last season’s competition, second only to leader Conor McKerr, and was rewarded with a full-time professional contract.
Final thought: Surrey will be hoping their depth can carry them in the absence of so much quality, but there has to be an improvement with the bat if they are to make progress from last season’s seventh-place finish.
YORKSHIRE VIKINGS
2022 captain: Jonathan Tattersall
2022 finish: 5th in group
2022 leading run-scorer: Harry Duke (330)
2022 leading wicket-taker: Matthew Waite (14)
Knockout stage appearances: 6 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021)
Titles: 0
Absentees due to The Hundred: Jordan Thompson (London Spirit), Jonny Bairstow (Welsh Fire), Adil Rashid, Harry Brook, Adam Lyth (Northern Superchargers), Joe Root, Dawid Malan (Trent Rockets), Jafer Chohan, Matthew Fisher (Southern Brave)
The big question: Can Yorkshire finally turn regular appearances in the One-Day Cup knockout stages into some tangible success? Since this competition reverted to 50 overs per side in 2014, the White Rose have often progressed out of the group stage but have been unable to come up with any silverware to show for it. However, their chances of doing so this year might be tough, having lost key all-rounder Matthew Waite in their middle order to Worcestershire.
Key players: List A is the format in which Will Fraine has enjoyed the most success, scoring 328 runs in last season’s competition, and he has been in good form in this year’s Second XI T20 competition too. On the bowling front, all-rounder Matthew Revis was second only to Waite in terms of wickets taken, though with the departure of the latter, Revis has an opportunity to take centre stage.
Wildcard watch: Spinner Jack Shutt has been around the first team on-and-off over the last few years since making his T20 bow in 2019, but still remains something of an unknown quantity and picked up nine scalps in last season’s competition.
Final thought: Yorkshire will host all of their home matches away from their usual home of Headingley in the north of the county, playing two each in Scarborough and York. They will have to hope the loss of home comforts does not put the batters off their game, with a desperate need to improve on their indifferent form from last season in that area.
GROUP B
DERBYSHIRE
Captain: TBC
Overseas Players: Haider Ali (Pakistan), Suranga Lakmal (Sri Lanka)
2022 finish: Seventh (Group B)
2022 leading run scorer - Luis Reece (330 runs)
2022 leading wicket taker - Ben Aitchison (13 wickets)
Key player: Luis Reece - Derbyshire will hope Reece has another good tournament, both with bat and ball. The all-rounder can score quickly once he gets in and his ability to swing the ball at a lively pace will bolster an attack that has been depleted by injuries and Hundred call-ups.
Young player to watch: Harry Came - Appropriately enough for someone whose father owns a vineyard, Came is maturing nicely in both red and white-ball cricket. The 24-year-old opener scored his maiden first-class hundred in May and played some important innings in the Vitality Blast, including a 34-ball 50 in Derbyshire’s record T20 opening stand against Leicestershire.
Final thought: The concern is the bowling with Lakmal still recovering from a groin injury, Aitchison out for the season and George Scrimshaw and Zak Chappell involved in The Hundred. It leaves the seam attack severely depleted although Lakmal should be available for the later stages but Sam Conners, Anuj Dal and Reece will have to perform well if Derbyshire are to make the knock-out stages.
DURHAM
Captain: Alex Lees
Overseas players: David Bedingham (South Africa), Migael Pretorius (South Africa)
2022 finish: Ninth (Group A)
2022 leading runscorer: Graham Clark (277)
2022 leading wicket taker: Chris Rushworth (12)
Key player: Alex Lees - The Durham white-ball skipper is in prime form with the bat in the LV= Insurance County Championship and will be determined to continue his form in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. Lees scored two centuries and 562 runs in Durham’s run to the final in 2021, and his absence due to England duty last season loomed large over the North-East outfit’s fortunes. If he can maintain his red ball form, he could top score in the tournament this year.
Young Player to watch: Ben McKinney - Durham have had a good history unearthing powerful left-handed batters named Ben; and McKinney will have the chance to prove his potential in the One-Day Cup. After starting the opening Championship game of the season, first-team opportunities have been hard to come by for the 19-year-old. But, the white-ball competition should suit his skill-set, offering a boundary-striker late in the order for Ryan Campbell’s men behind a potent batting line-up.
Final thought: Durham went from finalists in 2021 to a one-win campaign last season. Expect a response from Lees and his team, who could have the power in their batting line-up to make a similar run to the last four. The issue will be their bowling attack, with Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Ben Raine and Bas de Leede all playing in The Hundred. Migael Pretorius and the fit-again Paul Coughlin will provide valuable experience, but Durham will need one of their younger seamers to step up with overs and wickets.
GLAMORGAN
Captain: Kiran Carlson
Overseas player: Colin Ingram (South Africa)
2022 finish: Fourth (Group B)
2022 leading run scorer: Colin Ingram (342)
2022 leading wicket taker: Kiran Carlson (9)
Key player: Colin Ingram – The South African has been the mainstay of Glamorgan’s white-ball batting for a number of seasons now. Ingram was Glamorgan’s top runscorer in the 50-over competition last year and, after averaging 47 in the recently-concluded Vitality Blast, will again be relied upon to pace Glamorgan’s batting.
Young Player to watch - Tom Bevan - Scored an imperious 134 runs off 103 balls in the win over Hampshire last year. More of the same would be very helpful if the ex-Millfield School product is given his chance again. Last season 2nd XI player of the year and John Derrick young Player of the Year.
Final thought: Champions in 2021, they came agonisingly close to reaching the knock-out stages again last season. Skipper Carlson sets high standards in the field, as well as with bat and ball. High energy earned them the title two summers ago. It will be a case of follow the leader.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Captain: Graeme van Buuren
Overseas players: Zafar Gohar (Pakistan)
2022 finish: Fifth (Group A)
2022 leading runscorer: Jack Taylor (401)
2022 leading wicket taker: Zafar Gohar & Paul van Meekeren (13 each)
Key player: Jack Taylor – Capable of providing mid-innings acceleration with powerful striking to all areas of the ground, the experienced all-rounder averaged 66.83 with the bat in last season’s competition and also did well with his leg-spin, taking 11 wickets, with an economy rate of less than six an over.
Young Player to watch: Joe Phillips - The 19-year-old Cornishman, from Truro, is fresh from making his first-class debut in the LV= Insurance County Championship match against Glamorgan at Cheltenham. Before that he made 63 and 95 in a second XI game with Kent and is sure to be given plenty of opportunities in the 50-over competition.
Final thought: The One-Day Cup offers a final chance for Gloucestershire to make something of a disappointing season, having failed to qualify for the knock-out stages of the Vitality Blast and struggled in the County Championship Second Division. Their chances are strengthened by having only two players selected for The Hundred and, despite a relatively small squad, they should be competitive.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
Captain: Lewis McManus
Overseas players: Sam Whiteman (Australia)
2022 finish: Eighth (Group B)
2022 leading runscorer: Will Young (345)
2022 leading wicket taker: Nathan Buck (14)
Key player: Emilio Gay – He scored more than 300 runs in last year’s competition comes into the tournament in rich form having just scored his fourth Championship ton at Emirates Old Trafford. The stylish left-hander is pushing his case hard to be seen as an all-format player rather than a red ball specialist and his runs could be key to Northamptonshire’s success.
Young Player to watch: Justin Broad – The batter signed his first professional contract in June following a string of impressive performances for the second team. Broad, who has also made nine international appearances for Germany, immediately became a regular fixture in the Blast and Championship, where he took useful wickets with his medium pace.
Final thought: With Northamptonshire sitting at the foot of Division One, the tournament offers a chance to kickstart their season with keeper Lewis McManus taking over as captain. While the experienced Rob Keogh, Ben Sanderson and Tom Taylor are managing injuries they are expected to feature, but this will also be an opportunity for the club’s talented young bowlers to stake their claims.
SOMERSET
Captain: TBC
Overseas players: TBC
2022 finish: Eighth (Group A)
2022 leading runscorer: James Rew (376)
2022 leading wicket taker: Kasey Aldridge (13)
Key player: Sean Dickson - The former Durham opener has had to overcome a difficult start to his Somerset career in red ball cricket this season, but blossomed in the Vitality Blast, earning lasting popularity with supporters by top-scoring in Vitality Blast Finals Day victories over Surrey and Essex after going in both times with his side in trouble.
Young Player to watch: Alfie Ogborne - The Yeovil-born left-arm seamer was still a teenager when breaking into Somerset's team in this competition a year ago and when making his first-class debut this season, claiming match figures of three wickets for 89 runs from 28 overs in a drawn LV= Insurance County Championship match against Hampshire at Taunton.
Final thought: James Rew and Kasey Aldridge, top run-maker and wicket-taker respectively in last season’s competition, have both gone on to play regular County Championship cricket this season and Somerset will be hoping for similar development from some of the youngsters who will benefit from the absence of ten senior players in The Hundred.
SUSSEX
Captain: Cheteshwar Pujara
Overseas players: Cheteshwar Pujara (India)
2022 finish: Semi-finalists
2022 leading run scorer: Cheteshwar Pujara (624)
2022 leading wicket taker: Ari Karvelas (20)
Key player: Cheteshwar Pujara - The impact Pujara can provide, as captain and with the bat, shouldn’t be underestimated. Sussex were on no-one’s radar a year ago but he scored three hundreds as they topped the group and he led the side shrewdly. He returns in decent form too, having made 133 for West Zone during a brief return to India at the start of July.
Young Player to watch: James Coles - Picked up nine wickets last year and his off spin has improved since while he also offers the promise of quick runs in the middle order. The 19-year-old has scored two Championship hundreds this season and the freedom with which he plays should be suited to the 50 overs format.
Final thought: Sussex will fancy a repeat run to the semi-finals, especially with Ali Orr, who made Sussex’s first 50 overs double hundred last year, and Steve Finn increasing their selection options after recovering from injury. Look out too for Ari Karvelas and Brad Currie to make an impact with the new ball while Sussex still have the option to recruit a second overseas player if necessary.
WARWICKSHIRE
Captain: Will Rhodes
Overseas players: Mir Hamza (Pakistan)
2022 finish: Sixth (Group A)
2022 leading runscorer: Rob Yates (412)
2022 leading wicket taker: Olly Hannon-Dalby (16)
Key player: Jake Lintott - The career trajectory of the left-arm wrist-spinner has hit it's first dip after the astonishing rise of recent years. Without a The Hundred gig for the first time, the 30-year-old will be looking to rekindle the form and confidence which took him so far so quickly. If he does, a hatful of wickets could follow.
Young Player to watch: Ethan Brookes - The highly-talented all-rounder is approaching a crossroads. Much of his cricket, especially with the bat, suggests he is ready for a sustained first-team chance but the competition for places at Warwickshire is high. A storming 50-over campaign would make his point to the coaches at Edgbaston and, should his first-team path continue to be blocked there, elsewhere.
Final thought: Interest remains high in 50-over cricket at Edgbaston and crowds have been excellent for the format despite the absence of key players in The Hundred. The Bears supporters enjoy seeing home-grown players fledge but this is the club's only chance of silverware this season so they would appreciate a proper tilt at the trophy - qualification from the group, at least.
WORCESTERSHIRE
Captain: Jake Libby
Overseas player: Azhar Ali (Pakistan)
2022 finish: Ninth (Group B)
2022 leading runscorer: Jake Libby (332)
2022 leading wicket taker: Dillon Pennington (10)
Key player: Jake Libby – The prolific opener in all formats of the game will be skippering the side in an official role for the first time in the 50-over competition and provides stability and a calming influence for the younger players. Last season’s leading run-scorer for the Rapids provides the solid rock around the more powerful hitters can play.
Young Player to watch: Kashif Ali - The first product of SACA to sign a contract with a first-class county, Kashif showed glimpses of his talent last summer, including a brilliant century on his List A debut versus Kent. A broken thumb checked his progress but expected to make a big impact in 2023 with his wristy stroke-play.
Final thought: Worcestershire were weakened by the call-up of several players at the 11th hour to The Hundred in 2022 and this was reflected in their results. Adam Hose will be a big miss with the Northern Superchargers but overall the squad is considerably stronger and capable of emulating their encouraging performances in the Vitality Blast.
Fixtures
Tuesday, August 1
Hampshire vs Middlesex, The Ageas Bowl, Southampton (11am)
Gloucestershire vs Derbyshire, College Ground, Cheltenham (11am)
Yorkshire vs Kent, North Marine Road Ground, Scarborough (11am)
Durham vs Worcestershire, The Riverside, Chester-le-Street (11am)
Lancashire vs Essex, Sedbergh School, Sedbergh (11am)
Thursday, August 3
Surrey vs Leicestershire, The Kia Oval, London (11am)
Yorkshire vs Lancashire, North Marine Road Ground, Scarborough (11am)
Essex vs Nottingham, The County Ground, Chelmsford (11am)
Friday, August 4
Gloucestershire vs Northants, College Ground, Cheltenham (11am)
Worcestershire vs Glamorgan, New Road, Worcestershire (11am)
Sussex vs Durham, The County Ground, Hove (11am)
Somerset vs Warwickshire, The County Ground, Taunton (2pm)
Saturday, August 5
Middlesex vs Surrey, Radlett Cricket Club, Radlett (11am)
Nottinghamshire vs Yorkshire, Trent Bridge, Nottingham (11am)
Sunday, August 6
Somerset vs Worcestershire, The County Ground, Taunton (11am)
Northants vs Sussex, The County Ground, Northampton (11am)
Kent vs Leicestershire, The County Ground, Beckenham (11am)
Derbyshire vs Glamorgan, The County Ground, Derby (11am)
Monday, August 7
Warwickshire vs Gloucestershire, Edgbaston, Birmingham (11am)
Tuesday, August 8
Leicestershire vs Nottinghamshire, The County Ground, Leicestershire (11am)
Hampshire vs Essex, The Ageas Bowl, Southampton (11am)
Glamorgan vs Durham, Neath Cricket Club, Neath (11am)
Wednesday, August 9
Lancashire vs Kent, Stanley Park, Blackpool (11am)
Northants vs Somerset, The County Ground, Northampton (11am)
Derbyshire vs Sussex, The County Ground, Derby (11am)
Thursday, August 10
Glamorgan vs Warwickshire, Neath Cricket Club, Neath (11am)
Worcestershire vs Gloucestershire, New Road, Worcester (11am)
Friday, August 11
Surrey vs Kent, The Kia Oval, London (11am)
Durham vs Derbyshire, The Riverside, Chester-le-Street (11am)
Somerset vs Sussex, The County Ground, Taunton (11am)
Nottinghamshire vs Hampshire, The John Fretwell Centre, Nettleworth (11am)
Lancashire vs Leicestershire, Old Trafford, Manchester (2pm)
Essex vs Middlesex, The County Ground, Chelmsford (2pm)
Sunday, August 13
Hampshire vs Leicestershire, The Ageas Bowl, Southampton (11am)
Worcestershire vs Warwickshire, New Road, Worcester (11am)
Durham vs Northants, The Riverside, Chester-le-Street (11am)
Sussex vs Glamorgan, The County Ground, Hove (11am)
Essex vs Yorkshire, The County Ground, Chelmsford (11am)
Gloucestershire vs Somerset, The Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol (11am)
Kent vs Middlesex, The County Ground, Beckenham (11am)
Nottinghamshire vs Surrey, The John Fretwell Centre, Nettleworth (11am)
Tuesday, August 15
Yorkshire vs Surrey, York Cricket Club, York (11am)
Warwickshire vs Derbyshire, Edgbaston, Birmingham (11am)
Lancashire vs Hampshire, Old Trafford, Manchester (11am)
Middlesex vs Nottinghamshire, Radlett Cricket Club, Radlett (11am)
Leicestershire vs Essex, Kibworth Cricket Club Ground, Kibworth (11am)
Wednesday, August 16
Glamorgan vs Gloucestershire, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (11am)
Northants vs Worcestershire, The County Ground, Northampton (11am)
Thursday, August 17
Surrey vs Lancashire, Woodbridge Road, Guildford (11am)
Durham vs Somerset, Roseworth Terrace, Gosforth (11am)
Kent vs Nottinghamshire, St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury (11am)
Yorkshire vs Hampshire, York Cricket Club, York (11am)
Friday, August 18
Warwickshire vs Northants, Edgbaston, Birmingham (11am)
Sussex vs Gloucestershire, The County Ground, Hove (11am)
Derbyshire vs Worcestershire, The County Ground, Derby (11am)
Leicestershire vs Middlesex, The County Ground, Leicestershire (11am)
Sunday, August 20
Worcestershire vs Sussex, New Road, Worcester (11am)
Middlesex vs Lancashire, Lord’s, London (11am)
Surrey vs Hampshire, Woodbridge Road Ground, Guildford (11am)
Somerset vs Glamorgan, The County Ground, Taunton (11am)
Northants vs Derbyshire, The County Ground, Northampton (11am)
Kent vs Essex, St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury (11am)
Leicestershire vs Yorkshire, The County Ground, Leicester (11am)
Warwickshire vs Durham, Edgbaston, Birmingham (11am)
Tuesday, August 22
Essex vs Surrey, The County Ground, Chelmsford (11am)
Derbyshire vs Somerset, The County Ground, Derby (11am)
Gloucestershire vs Durham, The Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol (11am)
Hampshire vs Kent, Newclose County Cricket Ground, Newport (11am)
Nottinghamshire vs Lancashire, The John Fretwell Centre, Nettleworth (11am)
Glamorgan vs Northants, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (11am)
Middlesex vs Yorkshire, Radlett Cricket Club, Radlett (11am)
Sussex vs Warwickshire, The County Ground, Hove (11am)
Friday, August 25
Quarter-Final One: 2nd place Group A vs 3rd place Group B, TBC (11am)
Quarter-Final Two: 2nd place Group B vs 3rd place Group A, TBC (11am)
Tuesday, August 29
Semi-Final One: 1st place Group A vs Winner Quarter-Final One, TBC (11am)
Semi-Final Two: 1st place Group B vs Winner Quarter-Final Two, TBC (11am)
Saturday, September 16
Final, Trent Bridge, Nottingham (11am)
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