Vitality Blast table 2026: the three groups explained

All 18 first-class counties compete, divided into three groups of six. Each team plays 12 group matches, combining games within its group with the additional fixtures set by the 2026 schedule.

The three-table format means a county’s position must be read in the context of its own group and the official qualification rules. The ECB table is the authoritative source for the final order.

Each table lists matches played, wins, losses, ties, no results, net run rate and points. With a short group stage, a run of wins can move a county quickly, while one heavy defeat can affect net run rate.

Net run rate is especially useful when points are level. It summarises scoring rate performance across the qualifying matches under the official calculation, rather than looking only at head-to-head margin.

• P: matches played
• W and L: wins and losses
• T: tied matches
• N/R: no results
• NRR: net run rate
• Pts: official points total

Rain and scheduling can leave counties with different numbers of completed games during the group stage. A team with fewer points may also have a match in hand, so position alone does not always show the full picture.

Check matches played, points and NRR together. As the schedule reaches its final rounds, the table becomes easier to compare and the qualification scenarios become clearer.

The site’s tables page separates the Central & West, North and South standings into tabs. The current-stream viewer uses the same competition definitions, so tagged streams can be filtered to the group you are following.

Pairing the filtered multiview with the relevant table avoids unrelated matches filling the screen and makes it easier to understand how a result changes the group order.