T20 Blast Finals Day: Birmingham favourites to defend title

The t20 Blast Finals Day is almost upon us, and this year sees three of the four 2014 semi-finalists return to Edgbaston, as title holders Birmingham Bears face Northamptonshire Steelbacks, while there is a re-match between Hampshire and Lancashire Lightning.

Coral preview those two fixtures, with the winners to face off on the same day for the title.

Northamptonshire v Birmingham
Champions in 2013, Northamptonshire (13/10 for victory in this match) face their successors and current title holders Birmingham (Warwickshire) in the first semi of the day, with the latter odds-on favourites at 8/13 to reach the final.

The latter won both of their battles this term against the Steelbacks in the North Division, both being incredibly close encounters thanks to half century knocks from Ireland international William Porterfield and Varun Chopra. The duo are both priced at 3/1 to be best batsmen again.

Recent Ashes winner with England, Ian Bell, meanwhile, could also feature on his home ground, and is a 7/2 shout for the Bears. His team are 2/1 competition favourites.

Northamptonshire (4/1 outsiders to reclaim the title), meanwhile, will have the likes of Yorkshire-bound David Willey, who recently smashed a sensational 40-ball century against Sussex Sharks in the quarters, to call upon. Willey, the son of former England international Peter, is 11/4 to be top Steelbacks batsman.

Young pretender and rising star Ben Duckett has also impressed for the county this season, and is a tempting 11/2 shout.