Lancashire host Yorkshire in front of the Sky cameras on Friday night and Richard Mann previews this eagerly-anticipated T20 Roses clash.
Recommended bets: T20 Blast - Lancashire v Yorkshire
4pts Yorkshire to beat Lancashire at 10/11
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As ever, a packed house can be expected for a match that is always one of the highlights of the domestic calendar and with the weather set fair and the newly-refurbished Old Trafford now one of the most impressive grounds in the country, spectators should be in for a real treat.
As if it needed it, this game has been handed a further boost with confirmation that Yorkshire will welcome back England internationals Joe Root, Adil Rashid, David Willey and Liam Plunkett following their ODI series victory over India earlier in the week.
Furthermore, the White Rose will have the services of the high-class Kane Williamson for the first time this season and coach Andrew Gale and captain Steve Patterson might have a few selection headaches as they are forced to make changes from the side which downed the previously unbeaten Worcestershire on Sunday.
They won't mind, though, as they have been shorn of their star names throughout the competition so far this year and with Aussie quick Billy Stanlake pulling out of his contract only days before the tournament got under way, Yorkshire have also had to manage without an overseas player.
To their credit, they are still in there pitching and with reinforcements now back in the fold and more importantly, in good form, they will fancy their chances of putting together a strong run of form.
A top order containing the likes of Adam Lyth, Willey, Williamson and Root is a frightening prospect and the latter will be hungry to reaffirm his T20 credentials having registered consecutive centuries for England in the 50-over format following his omission for the T20 series decider previously.
Willey is another to come into this match with his game in order - both batting and bowling - and Yorkshire have the option of using him at the top of the order or as a dangerous finisher.
His bowling was excellent against the Indians, despite conditions not offering him anything in the way of lateral movement, while Plunkett and Rashid continue to prove invaluable to the England set-up.
Lancashire relied heavily on spin in their defeat of Leicestershire on Wednesday, with Matthew Parkinson and Arron Lilley both impressing, but Rashid's availability gives Yorkshire the edge in that department and he could be joined by the reliable Azeem Rafiq should they see fit.
WATCH: The ball of this century? Virat Kohli was bowled by a sensational delivery from Adil Rashid at Headingley https://t.co/I0JxJ3tPy5 pic.twitter.com/W2jlIJ7291
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 17, 2018
Rashid has arguably never bowled better and his performances against India over the past few weeks must have left the England management wishing they had him to choose from for the upcoming Test Series against the same opposition.
With the bat, Alex Davies registered another half-century for Lancashire on Wednesday to continue his fine start to the tournament while Liam Livingstone already has a T20 Blast hundred to his name this year.
A fine talent, Livingstone will be desperate to remind the England selectors of his capabilities on the big stage.
Keaton Jennings adds further strength to Lancashire's batting order but it doesn't possess quite the same depth, or wow factor, that Yorkshire can boast and as such, the White Rose look fair value at 10/11.
Posted at 1230 BST on 19/07/18.
