Friends Provident t20 preview: Sussex Sharks

T20 pedigree Last year's winners seem to be getting better and better, after narrowly losing in the semi-finals in 2007. Captain Michael Yardy Overseas players Yasir Arafat (Pakistan) The experienced all-rounder is essential to them having carried the county to previous championships. Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) Wicketkeeper batsman who made his name at the top of the order in T20 when scoring 158no in the first Indian Premier League game in 2008. He was also the first player to 1,000 T20 runs in international cricket. Dwayne Smith (West Indies) Hard-hitting right-handed batsman and medium-paced bowler. Watch out for Will Beer That rarest of birds – the young English leg-spinner – who showed an impressive temperament during last year's tournament. Prospects An experienced, streetwise side, the defending champions are one of the favourites to win the tournament. How they hope to pull in the punters Kids for a Quid has been the opening gambit for the competition opener against Somerset Sabres. Odds 9-1 Group fixtures 1 June Somerset Sabres (h) 7.10pm 3 June Middlesex Panthers (a) 6.15pm 9 June Kent Spitfires (a) 5.30pm 11 June Gloucestershire Gladiators (a) 5.30pm 12 June Glamorgan Dragons (a) 11.00pm 16 June Gloucestershire Gladiators (h) 7.10pm 18 June Hampshire Royals (h) 5.30pm 20 June Surrey Lions (a) 2.30pm 23 June Glamorgan Dragons (h) 7.10pm 25 June Somerset Sabres (a) 5.30pm 27 June Kent Spitfires (h) 5.30pm 29 June Essex Eagles (a) 7.10pm 2 July Middlesex Panthers (h) 7.10pm 11 July Surrey Lions (h) 2.40pm 16 July Essex Eagles (h) 7.10pm 18 July Hampshire Royals (a) 2.30pm