Nick Knight (Warwickshire)

Knight has been in fantastic one-day form this year

With 100 one-day international caps, Knight was the highest English run-scorer last year and a key factor in the Bears reaching the final.

An experiment in handing him the captaincy for the tournament saw him given the job full-time this year.

While others blazed, the left-hander helped keep the tempo high, keeping the singles ticking and finding gaps.

His form so far this year - a one-day average of 57.57 - suggests fans can expect more of the same.

Neil Carter (Warwickshire)

The South African-born pace bowler opened the batting last year, and was so successful he now does it in all one-day competitions for the Bears.

The Bears do not expect big innings - he averaged 20.71 last term - but he will take full advantage of fielding restrictions in the first six overs.

He bashed a record 28 runs from a single over in the recent C&G Trophy quarter-final against Northants.

However his own bowling went for 7.17 per over in last year's Twenty20 Cup.

Andrew Symonds (Kent)

Symonds' destructive batting is ideal for Twenty20

The burly Australian all-rounder set the record for sixes in a Championship County innings in 1996, with 21.

He began last year's competition in destructive style, crashing 96 from 37 balls against Hampshire.

And despite struggling for consistency during the rest of the competition, he finished with the best strike rate - 226.66 runs per 100 balls.

Symonds, who can bowl both medium-pace and off-spin, has been used to good effect in the Australian one-day side.

Kevin Pietersen (Nottinghamshire)

When England face Australia in the first Twenty20 international next year, expect the South African-born batsman to be in the side.

Pietersen rattled the boundary boards with 16 fours and seven sixes during last year's competition.

And the prospect of qualifying for England in September will have concentrated his mind performing well.

His best with the ball in one-day cricket this year is 3-14 and his off-spin is again likely to play a part.

Adam Hollioake (Surrey)

Hollioake was the most successful bowler last season

Surrey's victorious captain last season, Hollioake ended as the most successful wicket-taker with 16.

The key weapons in the medium-pacer's armoury were a number of variations, including a slower ball that made aggressive batsmen look foolish.

Hollioake will retire at the end of the season and this provides one of his best chances to shine.

His aggressive batting did not come off last year but few would bet against him making quick runs.

Jason Brown (Northants)

The success of slow bowlers was the biggest surprise in last year's tournament and off-spinner Brown was the most successful, with 11 wickets.

The imperative to make quick runs can count in a spinner's favour, with a single mistake meaning success.

Brown has been below par this season, but a return to the shorter game could suite him well.

Just don't expect him to contribute with the bat - in eight seasons he has a one-day average of 5.69.