The Vitality Blast returns this week as all 18 sides embark on a campaign which they hope will end with an appearance at Finals Day in September.
As ever, teams have looked to strengthen their squads with the addition of overseas talent, many of whom will be returning after previous successful stints, whilst there are also a number that will experience the T20 Blast for the very first time.
Here, we identify five overseas signings who could play a big role during their maiden Vitality Blast campaigns.
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Dewald Brevis (Hampshire Hawks)
Nationality: South Africa | Age: 22 | Role: Top order batter
South African superstar Brevis is fast becoming a household name on the T20 circuit and could provide fireworks for Hampshire at the top of the order, replacing Australian Ben McDermott who will not return after three consecutive years.
Despite only featuring for his country on two occasions, Brevis has gained plenty of experience in franchise cricket and enjoyed a successful SA20 campaign with champions MI Cape Town, averaging 48.50 at a competition-high strike rate of 184.17.
Likened in style to South Africa great AB de Villiers, Brevis has also had an impressive stint at a struggling Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, scoring 225 runs in six appearances at a strike rate of 180.
Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar (Derbyshire Falcons)
Nationality: Afghanistan | Age: 19 | Role: Spinner
Described by Mickey Arthur as “a player we will be seeing at the very top of the international game”, Afghanistan mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar could prove to be a real coup as Derbyshire aim to reach the knockout stages.
Having someone in the bowling attack with the ability to spin the ball both ways is usually a recipe for success in the game’s shortest format and provides an exciting spin dynamic with captain Samit Patel who is more than double his age.
Ghazanfar, who was named in the ICC ODI Team of the Year for 2024 after taking 21 wickets at an average of just 13.57, made his Test debut at 18 and has gained franchise experience in the ILT20, whilst also being picked up by Mumbai Indians in the IPL auction before being ruled out through injury.
Lloyd Pope (Northamptonshire Steelbacks)
Nationality: Australia | Age: 25 | Role: Spinner
After it was announced all-rounder Ashton Agar would not be returning as planned due to injury, Darren Lehmann identified another Australian as his replacement in the form of leg spinner Pope.
Pope is uncapped at international level but enjoyed his most productive 2024-25 Big Bash campaign to date with the Adelaide Strikers, taking 15 wickets and earning a place in the Team of the Tournament.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Hampshire Hawks)
Nationality: South Africa | Age: 19 | Role: Opening batter
A name that may not be familiar to many, having only burst onto the scene in the SA20 earlier this year with the Paarl Royals, where left-handed Pretorius topped the scoring charts with 397 runs at a strike rate of 166.80, including three half-centuries.
With the arrival of two exciting international talents in Southampton, as well as the return of talisman James Vince to the squad, bowlers in the South Group will certainly not be looking forward to going up against Hampshire’s top order.
Nationality: Australia | Age: 25 | Role: All-rounder
Highly-rated Australia all-rounder Sutherland arrives at Headingley after captaining Melbourne Renegades at the Big Bash over the winter, making useful contributions with both bat and ball, most notably of which a match-winning 70 off 45 balls against Perth Scorchers.
Sutherland will provide power hitting in the middle order and also a useful seam bowling option, with two ODI appearances to his name, hoping it will be third time lucky in England after injuries put an end to previous deals to play for Essex and Somerset.
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