NatWest Twenty20 Blast: England's domestic Twenty20 tournament starts with a bang this weekend

Cricket fans can have a blast on Friday evenings this summer with the newly-revamped domestic Twenty20 competition taking centre stage from this weekend.

Durham Jets 20/1

Captain: Mark Stoneman
Overseas player: John Hastings (Aus)
In contrast to their three County Championship titles in the last six years, Durham have yet to make much impact in T20 with just one finals day appearance to their name back in 2008. Mark Stoneman has taken on the limited-overs captaincy and the team have once again changed their nickname, this time to the Jets (they have previously been known as the Dynamos and Men in Black). Powerful Australian all-rounder John 'The Duke' Hastings is a useful addition as overseas pro.
Athers' one to watch: Mark Stoneman - The signs are that this left-hander is slowly but surely coming of age, suspicions confirmed by his career-best 131 in the Championship against Yorkshire. Could be a breakthrough T20 season.

Lancashire Lightning 10/1

Captain: Glen Chapple
Overseas player: Junaid Khan (Pak)
Lancashire have been nearly men in Twenty20 down the years, defeat in the 2005 final to Somerset the closest they have come to lifting the trophy despite making it out of the group stage in eight of 11 years. The addition of Jos Buttler during the winter is a huge upgrade to their batting in this format and there has even been talk of former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff making a shock comeback. Pakistan left-armer Junaid Khan supplements an already strong seam attack, while Steven Croft could get some leadership opportunities if coach-captain Glen Chapple prefers to oversee things from the dugout.
Athers' one to watch: Junaid Khan - His left-arm pace offers something a little bit different. Had a big impact at Old Trafford in 2011 - the only season Lancashire have reached Finals Day in the last six years.

Leicestershire Foxes 33/1

Captain: Josh Cobb
Overseas players: Ramnaresh Sarwan (WI), Scott Styris (NZ)
The only county to win the tournament three times - 2004, 2006 and 2011 - but have struggled since the most recent of those triumphs, winning only six of their 20 matches in the last two years. The old guard have been phased out to make way for a new generation, spearheaded by Josh Cobb, Ned Eckersley and Shiv Thakor. Experienced New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris has been brought in for the tournament and, by my count, will be appearing for his fifth different county!
Athers' one to watch: Josh Cobb - A young and improving captain whose three 40-over hundreds last season provided proof of a growing maturity. Will benefit from having the older heads of Scott Styris and Ramnaresh Sarwan alongside him.

Northants Steelbacks 14/1

Captain: Kyle Coetzer
Overseas players: Richard Levi (SA), Sohail Tanvir (Pak)
The defending champions are without last year's skipper Alex Wakely for the entire season due to an Achilles injury. Scotland international Kyle Coetzer takes charge but does not