Summer is upon us which can mean only one thing, time for some international cricket. Whilst the first test match of the summer signals the start proper of the international season for those in the UK, the Continental T20 is where the summer begins for the boys in blue.

The continental T20 is always fantastically run by the KNCB, and the tournament provides the French side with the opportunity to test itself against the likes of Peter Borren and co. This year the four teams competing are Netherlands A, a representative Dutch side made up of exciting players plying their trade in the Dutch league, and France’s old rivals; the Belgians!

The competition will provide a stern test of skills for the French squad, but they will be hopeful of beating the Belgians, and possibly causing a couple of upsets against the Dutch teams.

So who are the names to look out for?

With 2013’s captain Arun Ayyavooraju missing out on this tournament due to work commitments there is opportunity for Komolan Thavalingam to start where he left off last summer. His 87(44) balls against the Isle of Man demonstrated what he is capable of, and his controlled pinch hitting at the top of the order should be effective on the usually small outfields in Holland.

With the absence of Chetan Chauhan (who opened the bowling last year and maintained an economy rate of just 6.5), France will need William Singh to play an even greater role with the ball. His miserly slow left arm may be used as a direct replacement at the top of the innings, something that he has previously done in the 50 over format. His experience at this level will also be invaluable in helping to lead an exciting but inexperienced side.

There may not be a more exciting talent in France than Usman Khan, he is France’s answer to Abdul Razzak. Usman’s forearms are the size of an average man’s thighs, and he puts them to good use when hitting through the covers. However it is his bowling which is perhaps his biggest asset. His 3-0-18-4 got France over the line vs Belgium last year. His mixture of slower balls and yorkers at the back end of the innings will save the skipper many a headache.

A final player to watch out for is Zain Zahir. His swingers served him very well at U19 level, and he has been perfecting his art at the top of the innings in the French ‘Super-ligue’. France will be looking for him to fill the gap left by the absence of France’s three most economical bowlers at last year’s Europe Div 1; and his control of line and length are more than up for the task.

The tournament promises to be an exciting one for France, and it will more than likely be a defining moment for many of the players in the squad, not least those mentioned here.