Sam Northeast attends NatWest T20 Blast launch

Vice-captain Sam Northeast attended the launch of NatWest T20 Blast at Edgbaston Stadium today.

It’s only a month until Kent Spitfires welcome Sussex Sharks under the lights for the opening game and tickets are selling fast.

Advanced ticket sales for this year’s NatWest T20 Blast are 41% up in comparison to 2014. Almost 90,000 tickets have been already sold, with aggregate attendances expected to exceed last year’s record aggregate of over 707,000.

Click here to pre-buy to save on gate prices and take advantage of special food and drink offers at selected matches.

This year the competition has attracted some of the biggest global superstars in the game, led by New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum who has signed for defending champions Birmingham Bears.

Legends of the game such as Kumar Sangakkara (Surrey), Mahela Jayawardene (Sussex Sharks) and Chris Gayle (Somerset) will all play in the South Group featuring Kent.

Players from all 18 First Class counties today joined England legend Andrew Flintoff to launch the new NatWest T20 Blast season from Edgbaston, home for this year’s Finals Day.

The former England all-rounder, who reached the final with Lancashire Lighning in 2014, said: “Players and fans both love cricket on Friday nights. The quality of players on show this summer will be top-notch, and the quality of cricket will be right up there with other T20 leagues across the globe."

“It was great to get back to playing cricket in last year’s NatWest T20 Blast.

“Being in and around the dressing room with the Lancashire lads and the buzz of Finals Day was amazing. I still think about that last over!”

As per last season, 70 per cent of fixtures will be played on Fridays between May 15 and July 24, with fans relishing the chance to make NatWest T20 Blast a hugely exciting part of their summer weekend’s entertainment.

The quarter-finals will be played on four consecutive days between August 12 and August 15 with the 2015 Finals Day on August 29.

ECB Chief Executive Officer, Tom Harrison said, “This year’s NatWest T20 Blast will feature some of the most famous names in world cricket – and our First Class counties are already reporting excellent advance ticket sales for the group matches.

"With the majority of fixtures again scheduled in a fan-friendly slot on Friday nights, NatWest T20 Blast action will be at the heart of what promises to be a hugely exciting summer of domestic and international cricket.”

Rhidian Taylor, Head of Brand Management, NatWest added: “NatWest's long association with cricket provides great opportunities for our customers. Through our T20 partnership we will be offering our customers the chance to win tickets and money can't buy experiences all season. We're looking forward to another exciting NatWest T20 Blast season.”

Click here to pre-buy to save on gate prices and take advantage of special food and drink offers at selected matches.

Click here to order the special edition Kent Spitfires Battle of Britain shirt by Samurai Sportswear now on sale – £5 from every sale will be donated to the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust in honour of the 75th anniversary of the conflict.

The 2015 NatWest T20 Blast fantasy game is available to enter now att20blast.fantasy.ecb.co.uk