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Vitality Blast Preview: Somerset v Middlesex
THE MATCH
Somerset take on Middlesex in the Vitality Blast tomorrow (Friday June 2nd).
Play is due to get underway at 6:30pm.
THIS GAME IS NOW SOLD OUT! Tickets will not be available on the gate.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Gates will open at 4:30pm.
If you are using the SCCC Ticket App, your QR code may not become active until shortly before gates open. We are currently working on a solution to this issue and reassure users that access to the Cooper Associates County Ground will be granted.
Bag searches will be in operation and spectators are reminded that no glass or alcohol will be permitted within the Cooper Associates County Ground.
Ticket buyers can print and download their online tickets via their SCCC account.
All ticket or Membership collections will be from the Jack White Gates (St James Street).
The Club Enquiries Desk will be based in the Reception of the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion and not in the Andrew Caddick Pavilion on matchdays.
Due to the busy nature of a matchday, our telephone lines will closed for the duration of the game and will reopen at 10am on Monday June 5th.
Information on everything that you will need for a matchday at SCCC, including how to redeem your guest passes, how to download your e-tickets and how to use the SCCC Ticket App can all be found in our Visitor Guide:
Children under 14 should be accompanied by a responsible adult when participating in the Somerset Cricket Foundation activities.
Scorecards will be available from the SCS Shop and Reception in the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
You can also keep up to date with a live stream and live blog via our dedicated Match Centre and on our Twitter feed.
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
In association with Vertu Motors, Somerset County Cricket Club will be providing radio ear pieces to enable Members and supporters to enjoy our live ball-by-ball match commentary. These will be available to purchase from Reception in the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion at a cost of £12.
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
FAN VILLAGE
In association with Jurassic Fibre, Somerset County Cricket Club will be launching a brand-new fan village at this match. The new and improved Jurassic Fibre Fan Village will still be situated at the St James Street side of the Cooper Associates County Ground and will feature more space and a much wider range of entertainment, food and drink offerings.
The Jurassic Fibre Fan Village will host a large selection of varied food and drink options and a large self-pouring bar. There will also be live music before and after each match.
In addition to this, there will be all manner of entertainment throughout, including a special virtual reality cricket game plus giveaways, competitions and much more!
Don’t forget our ‘buy one get one free’ happy hour from 4:30pm to 5:30pm on Thatchers, Carlsberg, the Coca Cola range, spirit & mixer cans, wine and water before each match.
THE OPPOSITION
Middlesex
Captain: Stephen Eskinazi
Overseas players: Pieter Malan (South Africa)
Finals day appearances: 1
Titles: 0
2022 finish: Eighth (South Group)
2022 highest run-scorer: Stephen Eskinazi (431)
2022 highest wicket-taker: Martin Andersson (17)
Key winter moves: Middlesex’s winter plans were torn up when left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj suffered serious injury days after signing for this competition and he’s yet to be replaced. However, both South African Pieter Malan and all-rounder Ryan Higgins have been added since the Seaxes underwhelming showing last season, so giving their line-up a more robust feel.
TEAM NEWS
Somerset will be without Sonny Baker (back) but Craig Overton returns to the squad after being rested for the game at Kent.
The starting XI will be selected from the following squad: Lewis Gregory*, Tom Abell, Kasey Aldridge, Tom Banton, Shoaib Bashir, Josh Davey, Ben Green, Matt Henry, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Lammonby, Peter Siddle, Will Smeed and Roelof van der Merwe.
If selected to play, Tom Kohler-Cadmore will be making his 150th appearance in T20 cricket.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Previewing the match, Somerset Head Coach, Jason Kerr said: “We’ve had a really good start to the competition and I thought that we put in an incredible team performance at Kent this week. We weren’t quite at our best but we managed to find a way to win by demonstrating a lot of skill and character. We’re all pleased with how things are going at the moment.
“Every side in this competition are dangerous on their day. There’s no doubt about that. Middlesex have got some very talented cricketers and we need to concentrate on improving our own performances. We need to execute our skills and do the simple things better than the opposition. We’ve got better and sharper from game to game, so hopefully we can go out there tomorrow and get that fifth win.
“The Cooper Associates County Ground is an amazing place to play cricket and the atmosphere has been incredible again this year. The crowds we get are second to none. The guys really feed off that and it’s something that we will never take for granted.”
CLASSIC MATCH
We go back to 2011 for our classic T20 match between the two sides.
It was a game that saw Somerset score what at the time was their second highest ever total in the format. It was also a game that saw Somerset secure a comprehensive 40-run victory in front of a packed crowd at the Cooper Associates County Ground.
Middlesex won the toss and elected to field.
Marcus Trescothick and Craig Kieswetter added 61 for the first wicket inside four overs. Trescothick was the man to go for 20. Kieswetter went on to make 59 from just 22 balls whilst Roelof van der Merwe also made a half century (51 from 21).
Peter Trego 31 and James Hildreth (35 not out) also contributed as Somerset posted a formidable total of 235 for five from their 20 overs.
Middlesex slipped to 50 for four in reply after five overs, but John Simpson blitzed his way to 60 from 27 balls to give the visitors hope. Unfortunately for Middlesex he received little support and his side finished on 195 for nine.
Gemaal Hussian (three for 40) and Lewis Gregory (three for 44) were the pick of the Somerset bowlers.
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NEXT MATCH
Somerset’s next match is on Sunday when we welcome Essex Eagles to the Cooper Associates County Ground in the Vitality Blast.
Tickets for this match are still available.
