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 Beattie Feathers Jersey .com) - Coming off a pair of tough losses last week, the Syracuse Orange will try to put an end to their first losing skid of the season when they pay a visit to the Maryland Terrapins at the Comcast Center on Monday night in Atlantic Coast Conference action. Jordan Howard Jersey . The Blue Jackets play Thursday night at New Jersey in their first game after the NHLs Olympic hiatus. A native of Trencin, Slovakia, Gaborik has represented his country at the 2006 and 2010 Olympics but was unable to play in Sochi because of his injury. http://www.custombearsjersey.com/custom-devante-bond-jersey-large-2216t.html ., will experience this week. 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Bud Norris (8-6) won for the fifth time in his last six starts, allowing two runs -- one earned -- and eight hits over 6 2-3 innings with eight strikeouts and two walks. The Orioles increased their AL East lead to four games over the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays. Norris was recalled from Double-A Bowie, where he was optioned on July 10 in order to keep him on his regular routine during the All-Star break. The Orioles did the same thing with Tuesdays scheduled starter, Miguel Gonzalez, who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on July 11. Zach Britton pitched a perfect ninth for his 17th save. Rookie right-hander Matt Shoemaker (7-3) gave up four runs and five hits in 5 2-3 innings, striking out 10 and walking none. The loss put the Angels two games behind first-place Oakland in the AL West. Jones, who didnt make it past the second round in last weeks All-Star Home Run Derby, opened the scoring in the first with a drive into the left-field bullpen after a single by Nick Markakis. Shoemaker retired his next 15 batters -- striking out eight -- before Markakis doubled with one out in the sixth. One out later, Jones hit his 19th homer to left-centre for a 4-2 lead. It was his fifth two-homer game in the majors. Josh Hamilton drove in the Angels first run in the first with a two-out RBI single that scored Kole Calhoun, who led off with a single and got to second when shortstop J.J. Hardy threw the ball past second baseman Jonathan Schoop on a fielders choice grounder by Mike Trout. The Angels tied it in the fourth when Howie Kendrick led off with a ground-rule double and scored on Hank&nbbsp;Congers sharp single to right.dddddddddddd The Orioles might have had a shot at Kendrick at the plate had first baseman Chris Davis not cut off the throw from Markakis. A two-out infield hit by Calhoun then loaded the bases for Trout, who took a called third strike and immediately got into umpire Eric Coopers face -- but didnt get ejected. Trout was called out on strikes his next time up and had more to say to Cooper before manager Mike Scioscia came out to make sure the All-Star MVP stayed in the game. NOTES: Albert Pujols flied out on a 3-0 pitch in the fifth. The three-time NL MVP is batting .432 in his career on 3-0 counts (32 for 74) with six homers and 22 RBIs. ... Orioles RHP Darren ODay, who began his big league career with the Angels in 2008, pitched a perfect eighth to lower his ERA to 1.04 -- the best among AL relievers. ... The Orioles got a scare in the second when Norris took a hard-hit grounder by Conger off his right ankle for a base hit. Britton was smacked on the right forearm by pinch-hitter Erick Aybars comebacker, but also escaped injury. ... The Angels, who came in leading the majors in runs, didnt get a hit after Hamiltons one-out single in the fifth. ... The Orioles optioned C Steve Clevenger to Triple-A Norfolk to clear a roster spot for Norris. They will have to make another corresponding move after Gonzalez rejoins the 25-man roster. ... Hardys error was his ninth of the season and 46th by the Orioles, who have the second-fewest in the majors behind Cincinnatis 45. ... Shoemaker gave up a first-inning run for the first time in 11 big league starts. ... Markakis double was his 20th, the ninth straight season he has reached that total. His 38 multihit games are tied with Robinson Cano for the second-highest total in the majors behind Jose Altuves 42. ' ' '