T20 Blast 2026 season preview - North Group

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 22 May 2026

Simon Lewis 22 May 2026

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Lancashire lost to eventual champions Somerset in the 2025 final.
The North Group is contested by Derbyshire Falcons, Durham, Lancashire Lightning, Leicestershire Foxes, Notts Outlaws and Yorkshire.
The 2026 T20 Blast runs from 26 May to 18 July.

Liam Livingstone of Lancashire hits out against Somerset (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.

Derbyshire Falcons
Durham
Lancashire Lightning
Leicestershire Foxes
Notts Outlaws
Yorkshire

Derbyshire Falcons

2025: 9th in North Group, Anuerin Donald (449 runs), Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar (16 wickets).

Captain: Aneurin Donald. Overseas players: Caleb Jewell (Australia), Akif Javed (Pakistan), Mohammad Ghazanfar (Afghanistan)

Derbyshire Falcons are looking to rebound after a disappointing campaign, with new arrivals Javed and Matt Montgomery adding useful balance. Javed brings pace and left-arm variety after replacing Sufiyan Muqeem, while Montgomery strengthens the batting and offers another spin option.

The key concern is bowling depth, especially with injuries to Harry Moore and Pat Brown, but Ghazanfar’s arrival for the second half could be a major boost after his standout Blast form last year. With proven T20 threats like Aneurin Donald, Wayne Madsen and Ghazanfar, plus middle-order wildcard Amrit Basra, Derbyshire have upset potential if they can find consistency.

Durham

Captain: Alex Lees. Overseas players: David Bedingham (South Africa)

2025: Quarter-finalists, Alex Lees (431 runs), James Neesham (21 wickets)

Durham showed real promise last year by reaching the quarter-finals and look capable of another strong Blast run. David Bedingham is expected to be their main overseas weapon, though the loss of leading wicket-taker James Neesham leaves a gap in the attack. Kasey Aldridge adds useful depth after signing permanently, but several departures mean others must step up.

Emerging opener Ben McKinney is an exciting wildcard with power and reach at the top of the order. Durham have never won the Blast, but with Ryan Campbell’s experience guiding them, they have the talent to challenge if they handle the big moments better.

Lancashire Lightning

Captain: Keaton Jennings. Overseas players: Chris Green (Australia) and Ben McDermott (Australia)

2025: Semi-finalists, Keaton Jennings (459 runs), Luke Wood (22 wickets)

Lancashire look loaded with T20 quality as they chase only a second Blast title, with Australian power-hitter Ben McDermott a major signing and Chris Green returning as a proven all-round influence. Paul Coughlin adds further balance, but injuries to Luke Wells, Ajeet Singh Dale and Arav Shetty could test their depth, with Wells a particularly big loss given his all-round value.

Express quick Mitch Stanley is the wildcard, capable of blasting through batting line-ups if he stays fit. The biggest betting angle may be availability: if Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone and Phil Salt feature regularly before England duty, Lancashire could quickly become serious title contenders.

Leicestershire Foxes

Captain: Ben Green. Overseas players: Ashton Turner (Australia), Ajaz Patel (New Zealand), Nick Kelly (New Zealand)

2025: 7th in North Group, Sol Budinger (358 runs), Logan van Beek (22 wickets)

Leicestershire look far more dangerous after a busy winter packed with proven T20 winners. Ashton Turner is the headline signing, bringing Big Bash pedigree and all-round power, while Nick Kelly, Ajaz Patel, Stephen Eskinazi, Josh Davey and new captain Ben Green add depth and experience.

Green’s appointment is especially interesting after his trophy-laden spell with Somerset in this competition. The Foxes have improved in other formats recently, winning the One-Day Cup and Division Two, and now need to transfer that momentum into the Blast. Rishi Patel is the wildcard: with a 41-ball T20 hundred and strong early-season form, he offers serious upside.

Notts Outlaws

Captain: Joe Clarke. Overseas players: George Linde (South Africa)

2025: 6th (North Group), Tom Moores (459 runs), Daniel Sams (16 wickets)

Notts look to be moving in the right direction after improving from a disastrous bottom-placed North Group finish to seven wins and a quarter-final push. George Munsey is the eye-catching signing, bringing explosive power at the top of the order, while George Linde adds left-arm spin and Benny Howell offers valuable franchise experience and all-round know-how.

The Outlaws are still rebuilding, but expectations should rise this year and anything short of the last eight may feel like a setback. Munsey is the major upside play, while captain Joe Clarke’s form could be crucial if he carries his red-ball runs into the Blast.

Yorkshire

Captain: Jonny Bairstow. Overseas players: Hasan Ali (Pakistan), Faheem Ashraf (Pakistan), Logan van Beek (Netherlands).

2025: 8th in North Group, Dawid Malan (365 runs), Will O’Rourke (15 wickets)

Yorkshire have gone big on experience as they chase a first ever Blast title, with Moeen Ali the headline signing on a two-year T20 deal. Pakistani pair Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf add proven international quality, while AJ Tye and Sam Whiteman bring further know-how.

Jonny Bairstow taking over the captaincy from Dawid Malan is another major storyline, though Malan and Jordan Thompson are notable departures. The upside is obvious: this is a side built to end years of T20 underachievement. Young opener Will Luxton is the wildcard after three fifties last summer, and a permanent top-order role could make him one to watch.