After my last blog at the beginning of the Friends Provident T20 Cup we are now at the pointy end of the tournament. After a lot of miles up and down the M6 competing in the North Group and plenty of crash, bang, wallop over 16 group games, we have booked our place in tonight’s quarter final vs Essex at Chelmsford under lights.

The winners will progress to T20 Finals day in a fortnight at the Rose Bowl, consisting of two semi finals and a final where anything can happen. After the disappointment of topping our group last year, getting a home quarter final and then losing to Somerset in a bowl out after three days solid Manchester rain I know the whole squad are keen to put that firmly in the past. Our opponents Essex are a very good one day side and we have become something of sworn rivals after some fierce contests over the past few seasons.

On the injury front Gary Keedy has made a excellent return from a fractured collarbone sustained in a preseason friendly and put in some fine performances for the 2nd XI and now Ist Team. Oliver Newby is also progressing well 7 weeks post ACL repair and after a check up with the specialist last week has been given the all clear to step up his rehab. With Old Trafford out of action at times over the last few months due to the Test match and concerts its been good for the players to mix up their rehab at the Middleton Physio Gym.

From here we travel to Hampshire to get back into Championship cricket with fixtures coming thick and fast over the remaining two months of the season. We could do with some games uninterrupted by weather but first let’s hope we can do the job tonight and silence the vocal Chelmsford crowd.

Cheers

Sam