Aubury Maroons
Stadium: Timberton Oval (12800) in Aubury, Leeshire
Alois Lyness (25) - L med/L Opener, Ernest Amandinscale (24) - L orth/L Opener, Herbert Doyle (30) - R off/R Batsman, Ronald Taylor (25) - L med/L All-rounder, Iogan yBydwrwst (19) - R med/R Batsman, Augustus Brenchley (33) - L med/L Wicketkeeper, Toljo (f) Jorse SAJ (35) - R off/R All-rounder, Lasrewll yChallril (25) - L unorth/L Spin Bowler, Lewis Tilcott (27) - L unorth/L Spin Bowler, Elsa (f) Cazla SAJ (26) - L unorth/L Spin Bowler, Roger Bush KRY (22) - R fast/R Pace Bowler
The issue of handedness always comes up in Ko-oren. Lefties are pushed more and more into sports like baseball and cricket where handedness plays a larger role, and yet the top of Ko-orenite cricket - which is exactly where small edges like those pay off - is majority right-handed. Except the Maroons, who decided to starve the rest of the competition to such an extent that they have seven left-handed starters: that might be a bit much. More than that: they are all-in on spin bowling, adding Krytenia's Bush for the necessary quicker deliveries. Apart from the Sajnur stars, we're looking forward to what Taylor and Tilcott bring to the table.
Burnet Rubies
Stadium: Ruby Hills (10000) in Burnet, Burnet Island
Reginald Twaddle (28) - R fast/R Opener, Benajah Potter (26) - R fast/R Opener, Paul Leweshade (22) - R med/R Batsman, Bennie Connell (26) - R fast/R All-rounder, Helmer Barbary (28) - R med/R Batsman, Cwin yRwceinaig (18) - L med/L All-rounder, Judson Windsor (28) - R med/R Batsman, Andre Berrisk SAJ (28) - L/L Wicketkeeper, Enoch Teakton (24) - R fast/R Pace Bowler, Thad Stanway (27) - R leg/R Spin Bowler, Alva (f) Belwick (21) - R leg/R Spin Bowler
Remember the Maroons from above? The Rubies have the opposite problem. Nine right-handed players. And they're highly skewed towards the bowling, which means this could be a very predictable team - let's hope that the Rubies know what they're building. They're bowling exactly what every batsman grows up facing, without the batting stars to help them out. And you might see the name Twaddle - he's a hell of a player in Tests and ODIs, but has never made T20 his own. Aside from Twaddle, Berrisk and Teakton carry a lot of expectations. If the Rubies can grab as much talent next year, they should be a force soon... just not now (yet).
Eastern Miners
Stadium: Goledon Oval (25005) in Bruncester, Surbourneshire
Uriah Weller (26) - R fast/R Opener, Parhelgelu Naulstithinthen (28) - R med/R Opener, Blaine Risewell (27) - R fast/R Batsman, Mike Mothdrow (23) - L med/L Batsman, Riannion Salinas GTK (26) - L/L Batsman, Masheck Scargate (22) - L orth/L Wicketkeeper, Algernon Renbeck (18) - L fast/L All-rounder, Elijah Lever (28) - R fast/R Pace Bowler, Filip Stormdoop SRN (22) - R med/R Pace Bowler, Bill Burnbrough (19) - L orth/L Spin Bowler, Lachlan Harvey (34) - R fast/R Pace Bowler
A ruthless pace attack on the dry tracks in the east - the Miners know exactly what they need to win matches on home soil and as such they're the only team to run with three pacers (not counting all-rounders). In addition, they have the young Burnbrough to supply spin as well, so he'll be key in some away matches. Scargate and Renbeck are very talented, Stormdoop and Burnbrough should come through for them, and Salinas is a welcome Anaian addition.
Greencaster Bears
Stadium: Greencaster Oval (50000) in Greencaster, Surbourneshire
Lander Chiplinn (20) - L med/L Opener, Denis Treloar (26) - L orth/L Opener, Stuart Solomons (26) - L med/L Batsman, Ponladd ySeomchan (31) - R med/R Batsman, Jean-Charles Bon (22) - R med/R All-rounder, Claude Purcell (34) - R med/R Wicketkeeper, Dewitt Cheyne (27) - R med/R All-rounder, Lesomhof yPipaem (23) - L fast/L Pace Bowler, Aurélien Galipeau (19) - R off/R Spin Bowler, Paul Brakefield (28) - R leg/R Spin Bowler, Algernon Silkquand (18) - R fast/R Pace Bowler
A bit of a middling team right now, in search of direction. Chiplinn, Solomons, and Silkquand are probably the better players on the team. They didn't get any international players, and it only feels like they're falling further behind the city rivals, the Heralds. Cheyne and yPipaem excel in other formats - and even then, they haven't been on the national team in a while. The lineup is the most 'by the book': four bowlers, bit of left and right - so you'd think for a team that got its roster building so correct, that there would be more to look forward to. Still, the Bears will probably be a competitive team.
Greencaster Heralds
Stadium: Greencaster Oval (50000) in Greencaster, Surbourneshire
Carlton Shapter (27) - R off/R Opener, Stanley Langhorne (32) - R med/R Opener, Reginald Trevelskill (19) - R off/R Batsman, Silas Hazelflower (24) - R med/R Batsman, Millhef yChirnall (23) - L fast/L All-rounder, Baptiste Sagan (19) - L unorth/L All-rounder, Reuben Rochcaster (18) - L unorth/L All-rounder, Gilbert Wheelwright (35) - R med/R Wicketkeeper, Bert Chapman (24) - L med/L Pace Bowler, Julian White (23) - L unorth/L Spin Bowler, Iona (f) Finisterbrook (18) - L fast/L Pace Bowler
Not only is this the best team from what we can see, they're also the youngest at just 23.8 years on average. The expertly crafted roster didn't feel it needed international stars. And even with local talent only, they got the right balance in right vs left, and they're leading a movement among T20 clubs that says you only need three bowlers, with two all-rounders, to have what you need in the short format - it's all about batting now. It's star after star with Shapter, Trevelskill, yChirnall, Wheelwright, Chapman, and Finisterbrook.
Idyllwild Antlers
Stadium: Dawsend Oval (14000) in Idyllwild, Corridor
Moses Scovell (22) - L med/L Opener, Marcus Morgan KRY (25) - /R Opener, Dallas Welsh (34) - R med/R Batsman, Dayton Callaton (22) - R off/R All-rounder, Fewmtol yDigtawr (32) - L med/L Batsman, Ryan Watling KRY (28) - /R Batsman, Rubio Zavala GTK (29) - L/L All-rounder, Leonard Palmer (25) - R off/R Wicketkeeper, Leopold Kidd (24) - R leg/R Spin Bowler, Gordon Maguire KRY (27) - L med/L Pace Bowler, Martin Etherington (37) - R leg/R Spin Bowler
Much improved by foreign players, the Antlers had something of a rebuild coming at some point, with the oldest roster on average at 27.7. Hang on, that's not actually that old. The biggest change to last year is the addition of some foreign firepower, with Zavala, the Maguire, Morgan, and Watling now walking around in Idyllwild - who would have ever thought. The best players on the team are pretty easy to identify: it's the same four names. Palmer and Scovell add some much needed local quality. All in all, the Antlers have a pretty good team now, and it only took them one year to turn it around.
Linieux Lieutenants
Stadium: Ovale Liniane (6600) in Linieux, Cote Austral
Benton Leaby (24) - R fast/R Opener, Daniel Fomleya SYL (36) - L orth/L Opener, Ferdinand Carson (26) - L med/L Batsman, Godfrey Prater (25) - L fast/L All-rounder, Hayden Wheelock GTK (24) - R/R Batsman, Eli Hunniford (34) - R med/R Wicketkeeper, Caitlyn (f) Elliott SYL (19) - R off/R All-rounder, Samuel Cross SYL (23) - R med/R All-rounder, Giles Tinder (24) - R fast/R Pace Bowler, Kate (f) Sonnel SYL (18) - R leg/R Spin Bowler, Augustus Smith (26) - R fast/R Pace Bowler
The Lieutenants are another team that have struggled to find a niche in the slightly-out-of-market city of Linieux, but they too looked at their few local academies and decided to get the international players. Four Sylestoners trot out for the Lieutenants, making them immediately a team to fear. Fomleya and Sonnel are huge names, but the rest can't be overlooked. Add to that the slugging of Wheelock and you've got a good combo. What the international program has done, is to put all teams very close together in quality, so we'll see what happens next. As far as Ko-orenite players go, it's Prater and Hunniford to look out for.
Mawrystwyth Mustangs
Stadium: Bwdellafon Parc (17750) in Mawrystwyth, Mawryshire
Tawmin yFhireath (34) - R off/R Opener, Nawmcil yPherner (32) - R med/R Opener, Conor yAraidd (25) - L orth/L Batsman, Llowcan yRheighewn (34) - R med/R Batsman, Francis Barklas (19) - L orth/L All-rounder, Jon DeBruut SRN (21) - /L Batsman, Elysedd yBymadoc (23) - R leg/R Spin Bowler, Marscha (f) DeSaari SRN (31) - /R Wicketkeeper, Caprws ySarthylhar (30) - L orth/L Spin Bowler, Philander Magcay (23) - R fast/R Pace Bowler, Nia (f) yEdenw (24) - R fast/R Pace Bowler
A team firmly rooted in Mawryshire, and opting, more often than not, to utilise just the local flavours. That said, when the Sarian announced they were in, the Mustangs jumped on the opportunity. This already was an impressive team, and now it has a title quality to it. yAraidd is a special talent that Ko-oren might have brought forth only a handful of times, if that, and with yRheighewn (the multi-format wonder), and ySarthylhar, three of the best players of the NT aren't just Mawr, they're also on the Mustangs. DeBruut and DeSaari look like they might play a supportive role due to that, but they're also capable of putting the team on their backs.
Mayara Marauders
Stadium: Kherodru Oval (7900) in Mayara, KCT
Stanley Newman (25) - R off/R Opener, Grover Treadway (33) - R med/R Opener, Lucius Letchford (27) - L orth/L Batsman, Cuddaring Jinnamoora (23) - R off/R Batsman, Genorak Dherengun (22) - L fast/L Batsman, Lucius Becksmith (20) - L fast/L All-rounder, Sundhuril Pandherinthen (31) - L unorth/L All-rounder, Abe Oceanberry (20) - /L Wicketkeeper, Onesan Parentendahndhen (24) - R fast/R Pace Bowler, Borllog yLellmedd (27) - R off/R Spin Bowler, Totokun Multherinden (24) - L fast/L Pace Bowler
They hoped to find some international players, but failed to sign any. Instead, they looked for all the batting talent they could find. And they found some (or retained some): Letchford is a player with the class of yAraidd of the Mustangs, or one of about three or four legendary batsman we have. Somehow, in T20, Ko-oren has enough batting talent, and not enough bowling talent, while the problem is reverse in other formats. Aside from Letchford, the opening duo both know how to establish an innings. Oceanberry is a bit of a wildcard, an unlikely talent, found in an unlikely way and ending up on an unlikely team, but here we are. The Marauders have done things slightly differently - if you're looking for unorthodox talent, here it is.
Norille Chevron Vert
Stadium: Stade Échechade (9000) in Norille, Corridor
Lyojall Firembee (24) - L fast/L Opener, Emmett Wellcroft (20) - /R Opener, Cofan ySalw (23) - R med/R Batsman, Arnold Douglas (25) - R off/R All-rounder, Theophilus Armfellow (20) - R med/R Batsman, Azhek Parentendahndhen (23) - L med/L Wicketkeeper, Grajs (f) Vioolspeler SRN (31) - R med/R All-rounder, William Thrall (27) - R fast/R Pace Bowler, Mitchell Enright (24) - R leg/R Spin Bowler, Ward Corney (24) - L unorth/L Spin Bowler, Rutherford Lincoln (34) - R leg/R Spin Bowler
With three spin bowlers, they're bigger on spin than even the Mawryshire clubs. The real strength of the team should lie in batting, however. It's a plan, and they need one, as Norille have ranked towards the bottom of the competition since its inception. They do have the best opener in T20, with Firembee, but not with the help he needs until we get all the way over to Vioolspeler as an all-rounder. We're very sorry for her and the position she found herself in, but like we said before: these clubs are all pretty close together, and if it's not now, then Norille will get help next season. Armfellow and Thrall are also not to be underestimated.
Penstead Pirates
Stadium: Ocean Crest Oval (8000) in Penstead, yDremdun
Gavin Bustillo GTK (24) - R/R Opener, Ezekiel Lyveworth (19) - R med/R Opener, Harold Magcay (20) - R leg/R Batsman, Rufus Walstrand (26) - R off/R Batsman, Seophyn yMharwn (33) - R fast/R All-rounder, Neville Ormane (23) - R off/R Batsman, Valentine Butler (23) - L fast/L Wicketkeeper, Casid yTawriegir (20) - L unorth/L All-rounder, Roman Kinghead (34) - L fast/L Pace Bowler, Seymour Bartley (24) - R off/R Spin Bowler, Walter Dencherry (23) - R fast/R Pace Bowler
Penstead is usually the hardest place to bat in. Sure, warm places can conjure some hot air pockets that make the ball do weird things, but the grassy wicket and windy conditions make Penstead the opposite of a 'flat track'. If the batsmen miss, they're at a high risk of going out, but even if they do get a hit, and it's lofted, nobody knows what happens next. That said, Penstead are all in on batting: they know they need some away wins, and the home wins can be taken by just outbatting the visitors while relying on the conditions to bail them out from time to time. The Pirates are a little all-or-nothing, with Magcay, yMharwn (who found his redemption arc in going from Tests to T20Is) and Butler. Bustillo and Walstrand aren't bad at all, but the rest of the team isn't all that.
Willowbourne Zenith
Stadium: Royal Oval (40000) in Willowbourne, Corridor
Ezekiel Stevenson (37) - R leg/R Opener, Irving Reveltree (22) - /L Opener, Jacob Lafaille (25) - R fast/R Batsman, Douglas Trevorrow (28) - R leg/R All-rounder, Gabriela (f) Fiume SAJ (33) - R/R Batsman, Lindsay Carnall (35) - R med/R Batsman, Abe Southstrand (21) - L med/L Wicketkeeper, Garfield Hooligan (30) - L fast/L Pace Bowler, Ffentadd yGofflhaws (25) - R off/R Spin Bowler, Cyril Mellors (25) - R leg/R Spin Bowler, Aglovale Gerrenhale (20) - R fast/R Pace Bowler
A slightly older team (27.4 average). Not just that, but also an experienced batting team. A sneakily strong team, the Zenith have a very well balanced roster that takes from 'not too great individually' to 'there's enough of everything' as it's maybe Mawrystwyth or Idyllwild as the only teams with more all-round rosters, though it's clear that Willowbourne will rely on the batting more. Lafaille and Fiume are the big names there, with Southstrand and Hooligan filling in the rest.