This is the competition's 27th and final year before it is replaced by the proposed more compact eight-team knockout, which has already attracted interest from an unnamed television company.

Those spectators who prefer 50-overs cricket played in traditional whites in daylight with no amplified music, would be advised to take the opportunity to enjoy this year.

In South Africa, for example, it is normal for blasts of music to greet key moments - and there is no certainty that Shirley Bassey's I Who Have Nothing will not be accompanying duck-makers back to the pavilion after this season in England.

Surrey, 5-1 favourites with Ladbrokes, can expect a good start today, because they beat Hampshire by a massive 165 runs last year. Kent, beaten finalists, are at Taunton tomorrow having won their last five cup games against Somerset.

The longest winning run is Middlesex's superiority over Sussex. They open the season at Lord's in front of a new grandstand tomorrow with a nine-match head-to-head winning sequence.

One strength of the knockout format is the full-house semi-finals and final. Short of playing for England, the big day remains a useful showcase for players with international aspirations.

The competition signals the first collective contribution of overseas players to the English season.

Australians will be the focus of attention both at Derby and Headingley, where Yorkshire tackle Worcestershire with Darren Lehmann facing Tom Moody.

Derbyshire will hope for a good start against Durham to increase Michael Slater's hopes of contributing later in the competition after being ruled out for a month with a hand injury sustained in his opening championship match against Nottinghamshire.

BENSON AND HEDGES CUP ODDS: 5-1 Surrey; 6-1 Essex, Warwickshire; 7-1 Kent; 8-1 Lancashire; 9-1 Middlesex.