T20 Blast 2026 season preview - Central Group

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 22 May 2026

Simon Lewis 22 May 2026

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Somerset are the defending champions after securing their third title in 2025.
The Central Group is contested by Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire Steelbacks, Somerset, Warwickshire Bears and Worcestershire Rapids
The 2026 T20 Blast runs from 26 May to 18 July.

Somerset won the T20 Blast in 2025 (Getty Images).

This season brings a fresh format, with 18 counties split into North, Central and South groups. Each side plays 12 group matches, giving punters a tighter schedule and plenty of early form clues before the knockout race heats up.

Glamorgan
Gloucestershire
Northamptonshire Steelbacks
Somerset
Warwickshire Bears
Worcestershire Rapids

Glamorgan

Captain: Kiran Carlson. Overseas players: Nathan McAndrew (Australia), Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan), Colin Ingram (South Africa)

2025: 5th in South Group, Colin Ingram (338 runs), Ned Leonard & Dan Douthwaite (20 wickets)

Glamorgan have strengthened a promising attack with Nathan McAndrew, a smart signing after he hurt them badly in last year’s competition. Alongside Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mason Crane, Dan Douthwaite and Ned Leonard, they now look to have real bowling depth and variety. The big issue is consistency: Glamorgan have shown their quality in flashes, including a record win over Somerset in 2024, but have struggled to string results together and escape the group stage.

Ned Leonard is the wildcard if fit, offering extra pace and wicket-taking upside. With young batters like Alex Horton, Ben Kellaway and Asa Tribe gaining responsibility, Glamorgan could improve if Richard Dawson turns red-ball progress into T20 momentum.

Gloucestershire

Captain: Jack Taylor. Overseas players: D’Arcy Short (Australia), Liam Scott (Australia), Cameron Bancroft (Australia)

2025: 7th in South Group, D’Arcy Short (515 runs), David Payne (17 wickets)

Gloucestershire will lean heavily on D’Arcy Short after his outstanding Blast impact last season, when he hit five half-centuries and finished with 515 runs — far clear of anyone else in the squad. His return is a major boost, but the bowling attack has question marks after the departures of Josh Shaw, Ajeet Singh Dale and Zaman Akhter, plus Tom Smith’s retirement.

Overseas signing Liam Scott also misses the first six group games, which could test their depth early. Ben Charlesworth is the wildcard, with the power to rebound from a poor campaign in what looks set to be his final T20 season at Bristol. A fast start feels crucial.

Northamptonshire Steelbacks

Captain: David Willey. Overseas players: Chris Lynn (Australia), Nathan McSweeney (Australia)

2025: Semi-finals, Ravi Bopara (462 runs), Ben Sanderson & George Scrimshaw (26 wickets)

Northamptonshire have serious T20 upside again after reaching Finals Day last season, with David Willey proving an inspired leader. Chris Lynn’s return adds huge top-order firepower, especially after his semi-final century for Hampshire ended the Steelbacks’ own hopes last year. Ravi Bopara’s retirement is a loss, but Nathan McSweeney brings Big Bash-winning leadership and strong recent batting form. The key will be sustaining momentum after last season’s fast start faded in the group stage.

Ben Sanderson is the experienced wildcard, still taking wickets regularly, while Ricardo Vasconcelos and Justin Broad add further intrigue. With Willey, Lynn and Darren Lehmann driving them, another deep run looks possible.

Somerset

Captain: Lewis Gregory. Overseas players: Riley Meredith (Australia, seventh group game onwards), Daniel Sams (Australia)

2025: Winners, Will Smeed (620 runs), Riley Meredith (28 wickets)

Somerset remain one of the Blast’s strongest-looking sides, but they have a few early-season questions to answer. Daniel Sams is the key overseas arrival, bringing vast global T20 experience, power-hitting and wicket-taking ability after spells in the IPL, Big Bash, CPL and PSL.

Josh Shaw adds bowling depth, though the departures of Sean Dickson, Ben Green, Kasey Aldridge and Matt Henry reduce last year’s proven core. Riley Meredith missing the first six group games is a major blow after taking 28 wickets last season, as his raw pace is hard to replace. Thomas Rew is the wildcard, offering aggressive middle-order batting and wicketkeeping cover.

Warwickshire Bears

Captain: Ed Barnard. Overseas players: Usman Tariq (Pakistan), Beau Webster (Australia)

2025: Quarter-finals, Alex Davies (464), Hasan Ali (25)

Warwickshire have the talent to contend again, but the big challenge is finally breaking their quarter-final curse after five successive last-eight exits. Pakistan off-spinner Usman Tariq arrives to help fill the gap left by Danny Briggs, while Beau Webster’s all-round quality and big-match temperament could be hugely valuable.

Ethan Bamber is an interesting wildcard: a genuine wicket-taker who can also change momentum with quick runs down the order. The frustration at Edgbaston is obvious, especially with Finals Day hosted on their own turf. If the Bears can reach the knockouts and hold their nerve, they have the squad to go deeper.

Worcestershire Rapids

Captain: Brett D’Oliveira. Overseas players: Sikandar Raza (Pakistan). Usama Mir (Pakistan)

2025: 5th in North Group, Ethan Brookes (380 runs), Ben Dwarshuis (18 wickets)

Worcestershire have changed the shape of their attack, with Pakistan pair Sikandar Raza and Usama Mir adding serious spin quality after leading wicket-taker Ben Dwarshuis became unavailable. Raza also brings valuable all-round firepower, giving the Rapids another potential match-winner. The big question is whether they can carry their strong 50-over form into the Blast, where inconsistency has kept them out of the knockouts in five of the last six seasons.

Dan Lategan is the wildcard after impressing in red-ball and 50-over cricket, and his fluent strokeplay could translate well. If the Rapids can turn flashes of quality into regular wins, they have outsider appeal.