T20 specialists show their worth as surprise packets thrive in Blast

Chris Lynn was the star of the show for Northamptonshire, who have the only 100% winning record in the Blast. Photograph: Andy Kearns/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenChris Lynn was the star of the show for Northamptonshire, who have the only 100% winning record in the Blast. Photograph: Andy Kearns/Getty ImagesGuardian Sport NetworkCricketT20 specialists show their worth as surprise packets thrive in BlastSome unexpected teams lead the way as the group stage of the T20 Blast approaches its halfway point By the 99.94 Cricket BlogGary NaylorTue 2 Jun 2026 12.53 BSTLast modified on Tue 2 Jun 2026 12.56 BSTSharePrefer the Guardian on Google1. Lintott on a trotThe first time I saw Jake Lintott bowl, television commentators made much of him being a part-timer with a job in a school, giving the impression that he was a gentleman of the 1950s or that plucky qualifier who leads the Open on day one at 8am, but misses the cut by 10 shots on Friday evening.The pictures told a different story. His left-arm wrist spin was full of imagination and confidence and, in England at least, that is very rare. He also had that bounce in his demeanour that comes after a late start in the game and numerous rejections. Pathways are important, but they don’t suit everyone, perhaps especially those who dedicate themselves to the sport’s hardest art.I was surprised that Warwickshire let him go to Kent, who are suddenly getting so much right. Their decision to sign him has paid off already, his three wickets reducing Surrey from 44-2 to 53-5, those mid-innings wickets so valuable in the Blast. In this year’s competition, Lintott has five wickets and the best economy rate in the country – you can’t hit what you can’t see.There was no way back for Surrey from there, Kent leapfrogging them to go second in the South Group.2. Vince says vincerò, and he doesHampshire are enduring another tough season in the Championship, but they flattened Middlesex to round off a hat-trick of wins in the Blast. Of...