5.T20 Blast
Pic credit – Instagram
T20 blast also known as Twenty20 Cup,is a T20 cricket tournament for England and Wales first-class counties.
The tournament was started by the England and Wales Cricket Board in 2003 as the first T20 league in the world.
It is the top T20 competition in England and Wales which is also the oldest and much popular too.
The competition has various names which are because of a variety of commercial sponsorship.
From 2010 to 2013 – Friends Provident T20
From 2014 to 2017 – Natwest T20 Blast
From 2018 to Present – Vitality T20 Blast
This tournament doesn’t include any player from outside England as it is purely made to increase the popularity of cricket and engage the fans of England.
When it was started in 2003, it’s slogan was “I don’t like cricket, I love it”
There are a total of 18 first class counties in England who fight with each other in a long running tournament to win the title.
These matches are played during July and August with the aim of attracting large crowds during the school summer holidays.
The first season was played in 2003 and was won by Surrey as they defeated Warwickshire Bears in the final game.
Winners of the Vitality T20 Blast since 2003 are:
Surrey in 2003
Leicestershire Foxes in 2004, 2006 & 2011
Somerset Sobres 2005
Kent Spitfires in 2007
Middlesex Crusaders in 2008
Sussex Sharks in 2009
Hampshire Royals in 2010 & 2012
Northants Steelbacks in 2013 & 2016
Birmingham Bears in 2014
Lancashire Lightning in 2015
Notts Outlaws in 2017
Worcestershire Rapids in 2018
Essex Eagles in 2019
