Two names catch the eye as Glamorgan and Sussex Sharks prepare for battle in the NatWest T20 Blast – and it might be a case of which fast bowler can ignite to set his side on the path to victory. Shaun Tait and Tymal Mills have made waves bowling searing pace in T20 cricket with success – Mills more recently and Tait for a series of T20 franchises – but which bowler will out-gun the other tonight?
Shaun Tait
Replacing Dale Steyn isn't an easy job, but Glamorgan can hardly have acquired a more suitable replacement. Stints in some of the world's top T20 leagues such as the Big Bash and Indian Premier League – and previous T20 Blast experience both with Glamorgan back in 2010 and last year with Essex Eagles – mean Tait is ready-made for the occasion.
'The Wild Thing' bowled the second-fastest ball ever recorded and his appearances for Australia in ODI cricket and T20 internationals have seen him bowl at the best batsmen in the world, often in the middle overs and striving for yorkers at the death.
With the likes of Luke Wright and Ross Taylor in the Sharks' top order, Glamorgan skipper Jacques Rudolph might turn to Tait to grab that crucial breakthrough. And accompanied by the canny Dean Cosker, Michael Hogan and Graham Wagg – as well as the youthful Timm van der Gugten and Craig Meschede, the Aussie quick is not a one-man-band when it comes to Glamorgan's bowling attack.
Tymal Mills
After learning that injury problems have effectively ended his chances of playing four-day or Test cricket, Tymal Mills has been busy establishing himself as one of the most dangerous T20 quick bowlers in the country. The former Essex paceman has been arguably the breakthrough T20 cricketer of the year, since a video his 90mph yorker that accounted for Somerset and Windies star Chris Gayle started doing the rounds on social media.
Left-armer Mills, who made his international debut on Tuesday at the Ageas Bowl, operates off a fairly short run-up with an explosion when he arrives at the crease. Mills has taken nine wickets in eight T20s for the Sharks this season and he is ably backed up by fellow England pacers Chris Jordan and Ajmal Shahzad – while Sussex have also acquired the services of Sri Lankan quick Nuwan Kulsakera.
Both men are undoubtedly the spearheads of their respective attacks and will be under pressure to fire their side into a good position. It will be a fascinating battle to watch unfold at The SSE SWALEC in Cardiff tonight. The match gets underway at 6.30pm with tickets available on the gate for £18 (adults) and £5 (under 17s) or in advance by clicking here.