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One to watch: Hamish Rutherford
The Falcons will have a strong New
Zealand contingent across 2016 with
Rutherford joined in the ranks by
middle-order batsman Neil Broom
and all-rounder James Neesham.
Rutherford impressed last year and
the left-hander has both the ability to
get his side moving and make telling
contributions by batting through the
innings.
Overseas:
Hamish Rutherford, James Neesham
Durham Jets
Durham have been rocked by the
withdrawal of key overseas fast bowler
John Hastings. However, captained
by Paul Collingwood, they are led
from the front with a vast amount of
experience, including aWorldT20
victory.
One to watch: Keaton Jennings
Used mostly as a lower order
batsman and very little with the ball
in 2015, the Jets could find a place
for Jennings higher in the order after
a fine start to 2016 in the red ball
format. Integral in the Championship
in 2014, the following year went by
without a century for the 23-year-old,
but his fortunes took a turn for the
better in Durham’s opening match of
2016 as he scored centuries in both
innings against Somerset.
Overseas: None
Lancashire Lightning
Under the guidance of former
England One Day Coach Ashley
Giles, Lancashire enjoyed a bumper
2015, gaining promotion back to
Division One in the longest format
and winning their first NatWest T20
Blast.With the addition of Martin
Guptill, they have firepower at the
top of the order and with Jos Buttler
likely to be available for much of the
competition, the Lightning could be
one of the favourites in 2016 to retain
their crown.
One to watch: Jos Buttler
Dropped at Test level, a rejuvenated
Buttler was integral in England’s run
to the ICCWorldT20 final and will
be a welcome addition to Lancashire’s
squad when international
commitments allow.The explosive
wicketkeeper-batsman will join up
with the reigning champions on the
back of the Indian Premier League,
where he is playing with the Mumbai
Indians, and his experience in one of
the biggest T20 leagues in the world
will be invaluable to Lancashire’s
attempts to win back-to-back titles.
Overseas:
Martin Guptill, NeilWagner
Leicestershire Foxes
18 19
Lancashire Lightning lift the NatWest
T20 Blast trophy in 2015
_
Leicestershire will be bolstered by the
signing of South Africa international
Rilee Rossouw
_
Ben Duckett has been in fearsome
form for Northamptonshire (overleaf)
_
Travis Head was one of the biggest
hitters in this winter’s KFC Big Bash
League (overleaf)