English cricket has endured a strange relationship with the Indian Premier League over the years: to begin with there appeared to be a little resentment, followed by a refusal to accommodate the likes of Kevin Pietersen and his clamour for the bright lights, before a softening and then something close to warmth towards what is undoubtedly one of the greatest spectacles in the sport.

Nowadays, IPL success can often prove something akin to a badge of honour; it was the primary reason why Jos Buttler was returned to England's Test side in 2018 and has had a greatly positive impact on Jonny Bairstow and Jofra Archer to name just a few.

However, there is little doubting that in recent years the IPL has left a hole in the early part of the County Championship and this time around its rescheduling to the autumn due to the coronavirus pandemic will have ramifications for the conclusion of the Vitality T20 Blast.

Sussex - who will face Lancashire at the quarter-finals stage on Thursday - have been hurt most by this year's IPL with Archer and Chris Jordan taken from their bowling attack.

With batsman Laurie Evans having made the switch to Surrey recently, Sussex don't look quite as intimidating a prospect nowadays, for all Ravi Bopara's arrival and the continued development of George Garton and Delray Rawlins still gives them plenty of firepower.

Their clash with Lancashire promises to be a closely contested affair, the Lightning boasting a strong bowling attack themselves - one that is led excellently by wrist spinner Matt Parkinson and also includes the unheralded Luke Wood and Saqib Mahmood.

I'm not sure either have enough quality in their ranks to go all the way, though, while Northamptonshire could have their work cut against Gloucestershire in their last-eight tie in Bristol. Gloucestershire were comfortable victors when the sides met at Northampton at the beginning of last month as the hosts produced the type of strong team performance that helped them win seven of their nine completed matches and top the Central Group.

Gloucestershire don't posses too many household names in their ranks but they are a shrewd outfit and should prove a real handful if, as expected, they reach Finals Day.

They currently sit at 9/2 behind current market leaders Nottinghamshire in the outright market, and ever since this season's campaign began, the Outlaws have appeared desperate to avenge their narrow semi-final loss to Worcestershire last time.

Even without the services of veteran bowler Harry Gurney, Nottinghamshire swept all before them in the North Group. Their bowling has been led really well by paceman Jake Ball but spinners Imad Wasim and Samit Patel could prove the Outlaws' trump card the deeper into the competition they go, while the batting has all bases covered.