Hampshire, Somerset, Sussex & Yorkshire battle for T20 glory

Hampshire, Somerset, Sussex and Yorkshire will be vying for FL t20 glory on Saturday when finals day takes place in Cardiff.

Two semi-finals will be played followed by the final in what promises to be a thrilling day at the Swalec Stadium.

Sussex and Hampshire are aiming to lift the trophy for the second time after respective successes in 2009 and 2010.

Somerset have lost in each of the last three finals, while Yorkshire have reached finals day for the first time.

Sussex and Yorkshire meet in Saturday's first semi-final at 11:00 BST, followed by the Hampshire v Somerset match at 14:30 BST, with the final scheduled to start at 18:45 BST.

BBC Sport reviews the chances of each of the four teams involved.

SEMI-FINAL 1: SUSSEX v YORKSHIRE

BBC Sussex's Simon Levenson: "Michael Yardy leads Sussex at Cardiff for the final time with his side favourites to regain the T20 title they won in 2009.

"The Sharks were defeated once in the group stages - and that came in a rain-affected five-over game against Surrey.

"They boast a batting line-up that has posted totals of 200 or more three times in this year's campaign and in Matt Prior, Luke Wright and New Zealander Scott Styris, they possess three of the most destructive batsmen in the game.

"Opener Chris Nash, Murray Goodwin and Joe Gatting complete a formidable top six.

"Chris Liddle, with 15 victims, is the leading wicket taker, while skipper Yardy can always be relied on to tie the batsmen down. The Sharks have plenty of options, with Amjad Khan and leg spinner Will Beer."

BBC Sport's Yorkshire correspondent Dave Callaghan: "This is Yorkshire's first, and very much long overdue, appearance at a finals day.

"That inexperience could actually play into their hands as the other teams will feel the weight of expectation more. You get the sense that no one outside of Yorkshire really thinks they can win this.

"Having said that, their form this year has been sensational and their fielding has been the best in the competition.

"They've relied heavily on young overseas players Mitchell Starc and David Miller, who are both up and coming and keen to prove themselves at this level.

"Losing Starc is a real blow but the presence of Tim Bresnan and Ryan Sidebottom should help to make up for that, and if Jonny Bairstow can repeat his England heroics from Monday then you'd be a fool to back against them.

"I would not be surprised if Yorkshire pull this off. As we saw with Leicestershire last year, finals day can throw up some surprises."

SEMI-FINAL 2: HAMPSHIRE v SOMERSET

BBC Radio Solent's Kevan James: "Hampshire's passage to the 2011 semi-final was built on their impressive home record.

"They won all eight of their home matches, but their qualification for this year's semi-final has been solely due to their away form, with five wins from five.

"Hampshire will miss their match-winning Aussie Glenn Maxwell (179 runs), who single-handedly won two away games with the bat, but Michael Carberry's return from injury should go some way to compensating.

"The only surprise in the bowling department is that spinner Danny Briggs has only taken four wickets so far, although he continues to be miserly.

"Hampshire beat Somerset in the 2010 final and then lost to them in last year's semi-final.

"Who would bet against Hampshire this year? After all, they are playing away from home."

BBC Points West's Alistair Durden: "Somerset are still a formidable force in the short form of the game and this is the fourth season in a row they've made it to finals day, finishing as runners-up in the last three years.

"Although they have put a brave face on those disappointments, inside they will be desperate to shed the 'bridesmaids' tag.

"Many regard this as a golden era for the county, but they haven't rubber-stamped it by winning silverware.

"Their batting line-up, if everyone is fit and available, is fearsome and any one of the top six could win them the game single-handedly.

"Injuries have disrupted their season, although Marcus Trescothick returned from a long-term injury for their quarter-final win over Essex, and his presence could be key."

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