Royal London One-Day Cup: Rob Key looks at the ones to watch in 2017

Rob Key previews the Royal London One-Day Cup with Warwickshire looking to defend their crown as the white-ball season begins.

The Bears' begin their campaign with a trip to Northamptonshire on Thursday - a game you can watch live on Sky Sports 2 from 2pm - and, if you can't wait for that, you can test your knowledge of the competition right here.

But who will come out on top this year? Here's what Rob thinks...

North Group

Winner - Nottinghamshire

They have Michael Lumb and Rikki Wessels at the top, who smashed it absolutely everywhere last year and they play on the best batting wicket in the country in 50-over cricket. Add to that, they've got a very good bowling attack and they are a very good side. I think they will be the overall winners too. They have an experienced side, that is just at the top end of where they need to be age-wise - a couple of years down the line they might be too old but at the minute, they are just about perfect to make a push to win it with a blend of youth and experience.

Emerging talent - Josh Tongue (Worcestershire)

I spoke to one of the umpires last week who said Tongue was the one who you've got to watch. He's been injured for a while - one of these big injuries that young fast bowlers get - but he's back, bowls at 90-odd mph and with good control. They rate him very highly.

Fantasy team must-have - Samit Patel (Notts)

He bowls and he bats! The problem with these fantasy leagues and the thing that used to annoy me as an opening batsman is that you only get one chance. Then you get all these MVPs, it's just geared for all-rounders. Darren Stevens does it every year because he bats and bowls - it's just not fair. For that reason, I'd go with Samit Patel.

Gun fielder - Paul Collingwood (Durham)

The oldest gun fielder there ever was!

Player to follow on Twitter/ Instagram - Monty Panesar (Northants)

You cannot tell me that there is a better spinner in county cricket, who is not playing international cricket, who is better than Monty. He is a class act and his Instagram videos just brighten up my day, every day! Ben Stokes on Twitter at about 11 o'clock at night is well worth keeping an eye on too!

South Group

Winner - Kent

My old county and I think this is the year for Kent. They've started well in the County Championship, they have a brilliant captain in Sam Northeast, who has been playing very well, Darren Stevens who is 58 (he's actually 40) but having the year of his life, he's had a great start to the season. Matt Walker is an excellent, young English coach and is someone who should be earmarked to go all the way as a coach. I think it's Kent's time.

Emerging talent - Mason Crane (Hampshire)

He's got to start playing for Hampshire in all forms. I understand it's not easy, especially at this stage of the season, but I really think that this lad has to be playing. He could become a top leg-spinner, everyone knows about him but he hasn't played yet this summer!

Fantasy team must have - James Vince (Hampshire)

He's got a point to prove and he is a fine one-day player. It goes against my theory of having an all-rounder but the Hampshire captain is a top player. The problem for him is that the England batting line-up is very hard to get in to, the current one-day team is not a closed shop but who do you leave out? They're just too strong at the moment.

Gun fielder - Marcus Trescothick (Somerset)

Tres is the best slipper in the game. He's lightning quick to the ball and he's got a brilliant arm, when it comes to fast-twitch fibres he's better than anyone else playing.

Player to follow on Twitter/ Instagram - Michael Carberry (Hampshire)

Some amazing artwork! Art, in my book, should look like the thing you're drawing, like a photo. That's what Carbs does, as opposed to some of this post-modern rubbish, half of which ends up looking like Sloth from The Goonies.