The Vitality Blast returns on Friday. The new-look competition features three groups of six counties - North, South, Central and West - and a group stage reduced to 12 matches per county. Finals Day will be held at Edgbaston on Saturday 18 July. Here we assess the runners and riders in the North Group.
Derbyshire Falcons
Captain: Aneurin Donald
Overseas players: Caleb Jewell (Australia, all), Akif Javed (Pakistan, all), Mohammad Ghazanfar (Afghanistan, second half)
Finals Day appearances: One (2019)
Titles: None
2025 finish: 9th in North Group
2025 leading run-scorer: Anuerin Donald (449 runs)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar (16 wickets)
Key winter moves: Javed was a late replacement for legspinner Sufiyan Muqeem, who was signed for the first half of the tournament but withdrew after his call up by Pakistan. Matt Montgomery's move from neighbours Nottinghamshire will strengthen the batting and provide another spin option while Shoaib Bashir could play a part, England commitments permitting.
The big question: Do the Falcons have the bowling firepower to challenge for the knock-outs? Injuries to Harry Moore and Pat Brown have reduced the seam bowling options although Javed will bring pace and left-arm variety to the attack. Ghazanfar was one of the stars of last year's Blast and his arrival for the second half of the tournament could be crucial.
Wildcard watch: Amrit Basra delivered some eye-catching innings in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup last season and has the potential to be a destructive force in the middle order. The 23-year-old all-rounder could also play an important role with his lively medium pace.
Final thought: The Falcons have proven T20 match-winners in Donald, Ghazanfar and Wayne Madsen but need to put together consistent performances as a team to compete. After last summer's disappointing campaign, the only way is up and the Falcons will hope the arrival of Javed and Montgomery will give them momentum. Nigel Gardner
Durham
Captain: Alex Lees
Overseas players: David Bedingham (South Africa, all)
Finals Day appearances: Two (2008, 2016)
Titles: None
2025 finish: Quarter-finalists
2025 leading run-scorer: Alex Lees (431)
2025 leading wicket-taker: James Neesham (21)
Key winter moves: Last season's leading wicket-taker James Neesham, the experienced New Zealand international, has not been re-signed, with South African batter David Bedingham expected to be the sole overseas player. Kasey Aldridge played in last season's Blast whilst on loan with Somerset but has since signed permanently. Paul Coughlin (Lancashire), Mitchell Killeen (Essex) and Bas de Leede (released) have all departed.
The big question: One of four counties who have never won the Blast alongside Derbyshire Glamorgan and Yorkshire, that could do with changing sooner rather than later. Is this the year? Durham encouraged last year with a run to the quarter-finals - beaten at home by Hampshire - so they are definitely capable of success. It's just about performing in the big moments.
Wildcard watch: Emerging opener Ben McKinney has been on the tip of plenty of tongues with regards to a potential Test call, but he has the tools to be a success in T20 cricket too. Tall, long levers, plenty of power. He has a top score of 40 in 19 career appearances and played in this format for the Lions against the Pakistan Shaheens in February.
Final thought: There is one key move which doesn't fall into the 'winter' category given it has only just happened. Durham's long-standing director of cricket Marcus North - he was appointed up at the Banks Homes Riverside back in 2018 - was last week appointed as England's new national men's selector, replacing the outgoing Luke Wright. Will that destabilise Durham's Blast campaign? With a hugely experienced and highly rated coach in Ryan Campbell at the helm, it shouldn't do. Graham Hardcastle
Lancashire Lightning
Captain: Keaton Jennings
Overseas players: Chris Green (Australia, all) and Ben McDermott (Australia, all)
Finals Day appearances: 10 (2004, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2025)
Titles: One (2015)
2025 finish: Semi-finalists
2025 leading run-scorer: Keaton Jennings (459)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Luke Wood (22)
Key winter moves: It's a case of, 'If you can't beat them, sign them' with the capture of powerful Australian wicketkeeper-batter Ben McDermott - part of Hampshire's team which beat Lancashire in the 2022 final. McDermott's compatriot Chris Green, the talismanic all-rounder, is back for a third successive campaign. Another all-rounder in Paul Coughlin has signed from Durham.
The big question: Can the Lightning cope without Luke Wells (shoulder), Ajeet Singh Dale (hamstring) and Arav Shetty (finger), who have all had surgery and are long-term injury absentees? It stretched the squad during the first block of Championship matches. The loss of Wells would seem a particular blow given his capabilities with bat, ball and in the field.
Wildcard watch: Mitch Stanley. This isn't the selection of an unknown quantity. After all, speedster Stanley, 25, is an England Lion. But he has yet to really prove himself in any format given his lack of cricket due to previous injuries and workload management. Since debuting four years ago in this format, he's only played 18 matches. But what a talent. He could blow a few batting line-ups away.
Final thought: For all the Finals Day appearances, Lancashire just haven't been able to get over the winning line. Only one title - in 2015, under new coach Steven Croft's captaincy - is not enough. The availability of Messrs Buttler, Livingstone and Salt will be a key factor in their pursuit of title number two. Get the England trio for a bulk of matches from now until the start of July, before India arrive for limited overs internationals, and Lancashire could be motoring. GH
Leicestershire Foxes
Captain: Ben Green
Overseas players: Ashton Turner (Australia, all), Ajaz Patel (New Zealand, all), Nick Kelly (New Zealand, all)
Finals Day appearances: Five (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011)
Titles: Three (2004, 2006, 2011)
2025 finish: 7th in North Group
2025 leading run-scorer: Sol Budinger (358)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Logan van Beek (22)
Key winter moves: The Foxes have recruited well from overseas and at home with five-times Big Bash League winning Australia all-rounder Ashton Turner their marquee signing, along with New Zealand batter Nick Kelly and left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel. Domestic arrivals Ben Green and Josh Davey are both Vitality Blast winners with Somerset, while Stephen Eskinazi is a Big Bash winner with Turner's Perth Scorchers.
The big question: The Foxes have a storied history in this competition but have been underwhelming in recent seasons. This summer, though, they will have a lot of winning experience to call on after a busy winter of recruitment. After winning the Metro Bank One-Day Cup and the Division Two title in recent seasons, can Leicestershire now silence their doubters in this format too?
Wildcard watch: After missing out on a gig in The Hundred last summer, Rishi Patel will be eager to put matters right this time. A player with a 41-ball T20 century to his name, the elegant right-hand batter will hope he can carry forward his good early season red-ball form and make a big impact in the short format.
Final thought: Ben Green has led something of a double life the last couple of years, becoming a red-ball favourite during several spells on loan at Uptonsteel Grace Road, while at the same time remaining a key part of Somerset's Vitality Blast line-up, with whom he reached four finals in five years, winning two of them. After finally signing him on a permanent deal, the Foxes wasted no time in making him their T20 captain. It could be one of their shrewdest decisions. Jon Culley
Notts Outlaws
Captain: Joe Clarke
Overseas players: George Linde (South Africa, all)
Finals Day appearances: Six (2006, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020)
Titles: Two (2017, 2020)
2025 finish: 6th (North Group)
2025 leading run-scorer: Tom Moores (459)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Daniel Sams (16)
Key winter moves: The Outlaws have recruited South African left-arm spinner George Linde but Australian veteran Peter Siddle's Trent Bridge deal was cancelled over his appearance in the non-approved Legends Pro 20 League. Scotland's George Munsey adds explosive power at the top of the order, while ex-Gloucestershire all-rounder Benny Howell has vast experience in franchise cricket and looks a canny acquisition.
The big question: After finishing bottom of the North Group after a disastrous 2024 campaign, the Outlaws looked more like their old selves on occasions in 2025, when seven wins put them at least in contention for a quarter-final appearance, even though they missed out. Can they continue on an upward trajectory?
Wildcard watch: George Munsey has an outstanding record with Scotland and 2,700 runs in franchise cricket but signing for the Outlaws represents a new challenge. The big-hitting left-hander scored 84 off 54 balls in Scotland's win over Italy at the T20 World Cup and having an impact in the Vitality Blast could open the way to more opportunities.
Final thought: The Outlaws are still rebuilding in this format but made good strides in 2025 and the process will feel like it has stalled if they do not at least make the last eight this year. After a difficult first season, Joe Clarke looked to be finding his feet as captain in 2025. If he can build on that and carry forward his outstanding red-ball form, his performances are likely to be key. JC
Yorkshire
Captain: Jonny Bairstow
Overseas players: Hasan Ali (Pakistan, all), Faheem Ashraf (Pakistan, all), Logan van Beek (Netherlands, first half)
Finals Day appearances: Three (2012, 2016, 2022)
Titles: None
2025 finish: 8th in North Group
2025 leading run-scorer: Dawid Malan (365)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Will O'Rourke (15)
Key winter moves: Pakistani duo Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf have replaced injured duo Naveen-ul-Haq and Will Sutherland. Experienced Australian pair AJ Tye and Sam Whiteman are in on domestic-qualified deals, while ex-England all-rounder Moeen Ali is the headline recruit on a two-year Blast only deal. Former captain Dawid Malan has gone to Gloucestershire, with Jonny Bairstow stepping into his leadership shoes. Jordan Thompson has also left for Warwickshire.
The big question: Can Yorkshire shed themselves of an unwanted statistic? They are one of only four counties never to have won the Vitality Blast alongside northern rivals Derbyshire and Durham, and also Glamorgan. Coach Anthony McGrath and general manager of cricket Gavin Hamilton have gone for added experience in a bid to change years of underachievement in county cricket's shortest format.
Wildcard watch: Will Luxton showed signs of excellence last summer, posting three fifties, including a stunning 90 not out opening the batting in a surprise away win over North Group winners Lancashire Lightning. With Malan Gloucestershire-bound, there's a permanent place at the top of the order within exhilarating 23-year-old Luxton's grasp. If he can grab it, it could be fun to watch.
Final thought: A quote from Gavin Hamilton in December, shortly after the 2026 fixtures were released, perfectly sums up how Yorkshire's hierarchy are viewing T20 cricket. He said: "Next season is absolutely huge in terms of the Blast. Look, we know where we are in terms of our T20 side. We're not where we want to be. We're well aware that we can't just keep doing the same things. That first trophy would be a stepping stone, hopefully, to bigger things." GH