How long can Somerset’s Indian summer last?

At the time of writing there have been 16 games in the competition. 10 of those have gone down to the last over - an incredible six of those to the final ball.

When two teams can barely be split after 39.5 overs, is it just luck that determines who wins and who loses?

Cowers chatted to Andy Hurry, whose Somerset team are the only English county side remaining in the competition, and he was philosophical on these final moments.

"In Twenty20 cricket there's a lot of luck involved," Hurry says. "Plans can go straight out of the window. Inside-edges that go for four that on another day would hit the stumps...

"But sometimes you make your own luck. It is a game of inches. The small things have an impact on this game. Developing good diving techniques when running between the wickets, developing speed so players are faster, learning the ability to clear the rope through skill and strength...

"It's about trying to eliminate as many of those impacts as possible, so they become advantages to you. "

Somerset know a little about things not going their way. Their season was one of glorious near-misses. They reached the final of the Friends Life T20 domestic competition and the CB40 final at Lord's - and lost both times, taking their record to five consecutive cup final defeats.

But they also know about bouncing back from disappointment, and despite having to fly out to India the day after losing to Surrey at Lord's, they have won all three games so far.

"The fact that we didn't have much time to get ourselves prepared has actually been a huge bonus for us," Hurry suggests.

"We haven't had time to dwell - we've just had to go out and play. This is a very special tournament, and the way you're treated over here makes you value every game. We're playing at big grounds in front of very enthusiastic spectators against some very big players. It's a huge motivating factor for us. "

Of the three wins Somerset have enjoyed, they have triumphed twice over Indian opposition - the Kolkata Knight Riders on both occasions - and Hurry says that the IPL teams do have disadvantages being at home.

"The Indian teams know the conditions, the intensity and the humidity, and they've had quite a bit of time to prepare," Hurry concedes.

"But on the downside, they're not really a team. They have about 14, 15 locals, and the rest is made up of overseas players that jump in, jump out. It doesn't make it easy to build what we would call 'team spirit'.

Hurry's team have certainly been making the most of the experience. It's their second visit to the Champions League T20 after competing in 2009, and for players who don't go on to international cricket, it's an unrivalled opportunity, professionally and personally.

Despite it being a long season for Somerset, they have a final shot at ending the season on a high - and they're already turning their eye to the 2012 campaign.

"Somerset as a cricket club always has very high ambitions," Hurry adds, "and is always in the market for good, talented players. We get an opportunity to see how people [elsewhere in the competition] play and perform in the game.

"We also can find out a little bit more about their character! All teams are staying in the same hotel to so we get to know a bit about the guys from other teams."

With two wins from their next three games most likely required to seal a semi-final spot, Somerset will hope they don't spot too many potential overseas import on the rest of their Indian summer...