2016 NatWest T20 Blast: Nasser Hussain previews South Group

The 2016 NatWest T20 Blast gets underway with Essex taking on Surrey, live on Sky Sports 2 from 7pm on Friday.

Ahead of the competition, we've asked Sky Sports' Rob Key and Nasser Hussain to take a look at the North and South groups respectively, picking out their winners and ones to watch.

Here's Nasser's take on the southern sides, while click here for Rob's thoughts on the northern teams...

South Group winner…

I'm going to be a bit one-eyed and go with Essex. They're playing well at the moment, albeit in a different format, and haven't lost any star names to the IPL or anything like that. With Ryan ten Doeschate, Ravi Bopara, Tom Westley and Jesse Ryder - plus Wahab Riaz to get the wickets - they look a strong outfit. They always tend to do well in the group stages but then their nemesis is the quarter-finals, but I'm backing that to change this year.

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Quarter-final contenders…

Surrey have a good combination of youth and experience, with Kumar Sangakkara complementing all the young talent coming through.

Historically Hampshire have always played well in T20 cricket - they know and like the format - and have good overseas players in Darren Sammy and Shahid Afridi, plus James Vince is a fantastic white-ball player and captain.

Somerset have a small ground at Taunton, and so the Chris Gayle factor comes into play. They're another who always seem to do well in this format.

Strugglers…

Gloucestershire. I know they won the 50-over competition last year, but I think they just rely a little bit too much on Michael Klinger. As they showed last year, you shouldn't write off the glorious Gloucester - they are white-ball specialists - but I just think they might struggle. Glamorgan might also find it tough.

Batting star…

Brendon McCullum. He is with Middlesex this year, playing at Lord's which is a small ground with a quick outfield. He is an absolute superstar and one of the great T20 players of all time. He will be fresh and raring to go, a man to look out for.

Bowling star…

Mustafizur Rahman, the hugely talented left-armer. There is a little rumour that he might not be coming over - a bit tired after the IPL - but if he does come, as we saw when he played for Bangladesh at the World T20, he is a real handful with his variations, yorkers, and slower balls. He is a superb signing for Sussex, as long as he is not too exhausted.

Gun fielder…

Dwayne Bravo. He is all action in the field, the definition of a gun fielder, and a good dancer, too!

Emerging talent…

I've got three. Young Tom Westley at Essex, I think it is his time and he is a very good batsman. With the ball there is Sam Curran at Surrey, although I don't think he will play until after his exams are finished. But he's a year older and will have put on an extra yard of pace, plus I like the left-arm variation.

A real left-field one for you - a lad at Sussex called Jonty Jenner, from Jersey. He has been very good at their under-17 level. He is a batsman-wicketkeeper who may well come into their side - a modern, young, T20 player who can hit it 360 degrees.

Fantasy team must-have…

Dwayne Bravo, again. He gets wickets at the death with those dipping slower balls of his, he'll get runs and is a gun fielder. All-round points is what you want from your fantasy team, so you have to get Bravo in there.

I'd like to see someone come in fancy dress as…

The king of T20, Bumble! Someone has to come dressed up as Bumble, talk like Bumble, commentate like Bumble, sing like Bumble and be as mad as Bumble!

The 2016 NatWest T20 Blast gets underway with Essex taking on Surrey, live on Sky Sports 2 from 7pm on Friday.