lead. Rasmus hit a two-run shot out to right-centre to make

In his first column for Sky Sports, Birmingham Bears batsman Laurie Evans gets set for the start of the 2016 NatWest T20 Blast on Friday, by talking about the Bears new captain, big-hitting Baz, and the World T20 winners... There is no doubt that us players are eagerly awaiting the return of the Friday night lights of the T20 Blast.The cold of April and early May seems to have disappeared, and fans too will be excited for the start of the T20, but for players and coaches, our planning began way back in the winter months. The T20 Blast is back this Friday as the Essex Eagles takes on Surrey live on Sky Sports 2 from 7pm Cricket is transforming at a serious pace and getting ahead is what everybody is working hard for. If you sit still in this form of the game, you get left behind.Ive been fortunate enough to make back-to-back finals-day appearances for the Birmingham Bears, being part of a winning team in 2014.Some are expecting similar success this year, but our new skipper Ian Bell certainly isnt letting us rest on our laurels. Ian Bell has made his mark as Warwickshire captain So far in four-day cricket, he has encouraged method, hard work and graft, but I know for sure hell be looking for us to attack from ball one in our first game on Friday at Nottinghamshire.He wants the guys to express themselves, and he made that clear from the start by telling everyone on our pre-season tour, you dont find anything out by sticking to what you know.True to his word, he gave me a chance to captain against the big-hitting might of the West Indies ahead of their World T20 win, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was a great honour. West Indies World T20 big-hitters posed a big test in pre-season Personally, I reflected on last years T20 campaign with mixed feelings and have really worked over the winter to push myself and my game forward.Hitting sixes is a skill, and is great fun to work on, but theres a perfect world which exists as a batsman in T20 cricket, a nice blend of effortless boundary hitting with relative low risk.The reality is though that striving for consistent match-winning performances without the risk of losing a wicket is a difficult thing to do. Brendon McCullum offered some invaluable advice during his spell at Birmingham last year When Brendon McCullum was with the Bears, he said to me, I look to come off maybe once every seven games.Hes one of the worlds best and even he knows its not going to happen every time he runs down the wicket.Remaining calm and moving on when it hasnt been your day are important. Play with a smile, he also always said.This year, we have another Black Cap in Luke Ronchi with us at the Bears. Having had Jeetan Patel for such a long time now, as well as Baz last year, I certainly feel there is something honest about the Kiwis. The brand of cricket they play is all about putting the team first and getting the win. Thats something I certainly try and emulate. Winning games is all that matters.Hopefully we get off to a winning start on Friday at Notts and in our first home game against Worcestershire the following Friday, May 27, a game which is live on Sky Sports.Theres no doubt this game is the most fun to play, and the crowds are a big part of that. Edgbaston really does seem to create a unique atmosphere, and hopefully we get a full house in for that first home game. Watch the first live game of the 2016 T20 Blast between Essex and Surrey from 7pm on Sky Sports 2 on Friday. Then catch Laurie Evans in action for the Birmingham Bears against Worcestershire Rapids on Friday, May 27, also on Sky Sports 2 from 6.45pm. Also See: WATCH: The Blast is back! WATCH: Top Blast moments Live cricket on Sky Get Sky Sports Ken Daneyko Jersey . Despite Barcelona showing the same vulnerability in defence, Messis best performance since returning from a lengthy injury layoff ensured that his side bounced back from a defeat by Valencia in the previous round. Jamie Langenbrunner Jersey . He liked what he saw on Tuesday night. Not only did his team post a comeback 3-2 victory in a shootout over the Montreal Canadiens, but the rival Washington Capitals were beaten 5-1 in Buffalo. http://www.devilssale.com/authentic-scott-stevens-devils-jersey/ . Portland won Game 4 Sunday night at the Moda Center and are now up 3-1. The last time the Blazers won a playoff series came in the 2000 Western Conference semifinals against the Utah Jazz. Martin Brodeur Jersey ." The tournament was set to be held Sept. 15-21 and would have been the first ATP tournament held in Israel since 1996. But amid Israels military campaign against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, ATP President Chris Kermode said "we do not feel we can proceed as planned given the situation in the region. New Jersey Devils Jerseys .J. Fair didnt have many chances to be the main option for Syracuse last season. PHILADELPHIA -- Drew Hutchison showed a veterans poise after blowing a big lead. Juan Franciscos sacrifice fly in the 10th inning lifted the Toronto Blue Jays to a 6-5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night. Cody Asche hit a game-tying grand slam off Hutchison in the sixth to help the Phillies rally from a 5-0 deficit, but they were swept in a two-game portion of a four-game, home-and-home interleague series. The teams meet Wednesday night in Toronto. Hutchison took a five-run lead into the sixth, but couldnt hold it. He stayed in the game after the slam, however, and retired the last seven batters he faced. "Its really good to know he trusts me enough to go back out there," Hutchison said. Hutchison allowed five runs and nine hits in eight innings in his seventh start since Tommy John surgery forced him to miss the 2013 season. Hutchison also got his first two career hits, both singles to left. Jays manager John Gibbons was impressed with the way Hutchison pitched after giving up five runs. "He showed us what hes all about," Gibbons said. "Thats how you find out about a guy. He had two dominant innings." Edwin Encarnacion and Colby Rasmus went deep for the Blue Jays. Marcus Stroman (1-0) pitched 1 1-3 scoreless innings for his first career win. Aaron Loup got the final two outs for his second save. "Its an exciting feeling," said Stroman, who pitched in front of some friends and family. "It was a lot of fun out there." Cole Hamels, stuck on 99 career wins, allowed five runs and 10 hits in six innings. "He was not real sharp," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "He fell behind and they didnt miss his fastballs." Melky Cabrera and Jose Bautista hit consecutive singles off Antonio Bastardo (3-2) to start the 10th. After Encarnacion popped out to second, Franciscos shallow fly to centre scored Cabrera well ahead of Ben Reveress weak, off-line throw.dddddddddddd. Carlos Ruiz started the Phillies rally in the sixth with a double and Chase Utley singled. Ryan Howard followed with an RBI single to cut it to 5-1. But Hutchison got the next two outs before pinch-hitter John Mayberry Jr. walked to load the bases. Asche then ripped a shot to the seats in right for his first career slam, tying it at 5. "The biggest mistake was the walk," Hutchison said. "Its something I cant do again. A home run can happen, but a walk is in your control." Asche finished 4 for 4. Encarnacion drove one deep into the seats in left leading off the second to give the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead. Jose Bautista led off the fourth with a double to left, advanced to third on Encarnacions single through a shift and scored on Franciscos grounder for a 2-0 lead. Rasmus hit a two-run shot out to right-centre to make it 4-0 in the fourth. Steve Tollesons RBI double in the sixth put the Blue Jays up 5-0. Hamels hasnt looked too sharp in three starts after beginning the season on the disabled list because of biceps tendinitis. The three-time All-Star lefty was supposed to start Sunday but the flu pushed him back two days. NOTES: Hutchison became the third pitcher in Blue Jays history to have two hits in a game. David Cone did it in the 1992 World Series against Atlanta. Roy Halladay did it in 2007. ... The four hits and four RBIs for Asche are career highs. ... Bautista has reached safely in 33 straight games, the longest streak in the majors since Joey Vottos 33-game streak in 2011. ... Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins wasnt in the starting lineup for the second straight game because of a strained groin. He grounded out as a pinch-hitter. ... Cliff Lee (3-2, 3.00) opposes Mark Buehrle (5-1, 2.25) in a matchup of left-handed aces when the series shifts to Toronto on Wednesday night. The Phillies will play the 20,000th game in team history on Thursday. ' ' '