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Match Preview: Somerset v Hampshire Hawks, Vitality Blast Double Header
Match Preview: Somerset v Hampshire Hawks, Vitality Blast Double Header
Hampshire Hawks travel to Taunton to face Somerset in a double header, with both sides looking to bounce back from defeat against Surrey on Tuesday
Somerset v Hampshire Hawks
Vitality Blast
Thursday 19th June
Women’s match – 2:30pm start
Men’s match – 6:30pm start
Utilita Bowl
Hampshire Hawks are on the road to Taunton as they face Somerset in a Vitality Blast double header.
Both Hawks sides will be looking to bounce back from defeats against Surrey earlier this week.
Charli Knott recorded her career-best T20 score and will be looking to sign off her stint with the Rose and Crown on a high as she will depart for Australia after tomorrow’s match.
James Vince’s team will be looking to reclaim a spot inside the top four as they currently sit two points behind the knockout places in fifth.
Somerset Women were beaten by Durham in their previous match, by four wickets.
Amanda-Jade Wellington made a quickfire 31 from 17 after opening batter Bex Odgers’ 36 but despite 3-22 from swing bowler Mollie Robbins, the south west side couldn’t keep Durham below their target of 139.
Somerset’s men held a high scoring thriller against Kent on Sunday, with just four runs separating the two sides with over 450 runs scored in the match, as Tom Banton continued his fine form with 68 off 33 balls whilst all-rounder Ben Green’s 13-ball 25 nearly got the Wyverns over the line.
Hampshire Hawks Squads
Hampshire Hawks Women
Hampshire Hawks Women have named a 15-player squad for their Vitality Blast match against Somerset.
The squad remains unchanged from Tuesday’s bout with Surrey at Utilita Bowl.
Georgia Adams Captain (1)
Abi Norgrove (12)
Lauren Bell (63)
Linsey Smith (50)
Maia Bouchier (14)
Rhianna Southby † (17)
Naomi Dattani (11)
Megan Sturge † (3)
Daisy Gibb (15)
Mary Taylor (9)
Freya Kemp (6)
Poppy Tulloch (24)
Charli Knott (88)
Bex Tyson (35)
Ava Lee (33)
Hampshire Hawks Men have also named an unchanged 15-player squad for this fixture.
Hampshire Hawks Men
James Vince Captain (14)
James Fuller (26)
Lhuan-dre Pretorius † (80)
Toby Albert † (15)
Benny Howell (7)
John Turner (6)
Dewald Brevis (17)
Eddie Jack
Joe Weatherley (5)
Scott Currie (44)
Ali Orr † (27)
Brad Wheal (58)
Liam Dawson (8)
Tom Prest (24)
Chris Wood (25)
The Opposition
Somerset Women
Captain: Sophie Luff
Overseas players: Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia, full competition)
Key winter moves: Seam bowlers Laura Jackson and Ellie Anderson have been recruited to provide a cutting edge with the new ball, while England international spinning all-rounder Charlie Dean was brought in to add star quality. Perhaps more significantly, the services of Australian leg spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington, a proven match-winner at this level, were secured for a second season.
The big question: Although competitive for the most part in their previous guise as Western Storm, a relatively inexperienced side tended to come up just short in close matches. Can this revamped Somerset squad improve on that record and demonstrate the knowhow needed to challenge for the latter stages?
Wildcard watch: Alex Griffiths. Thrust into the role vacated by the injured Dani Gibson, the talented Welsh all-rounder is ready to realise her full potential. Adept at bowling seam up under pressure during the death overs, she now possesses the range of shots and confidence required to be an effective finisher with the bat.
Final thought: A series of shrewd signings and the availability of their international players has transformed erstwhile strugglers into more consistent performers in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup this season. Confidence and momentum gained from a series of impressive victories in the 50-over competition can now be harnessed to render Somerset competitive in the short format. As ever, much will depend on the form of overseas star Amanda-Jade Wellington and the availability of England pair Heather Knight and Charlie Dean.
Somerset Men
Captain: Lewis Gregory
Overseas players: Riley Meredith (Australia, full competition), Matt Henry (New Zealand, first 11 group matches)
Key winter moves: Australia T20 international pace bowler Riley Meredith was signed to replace Kiwi Matt Henry last season. Now both have been recruited to form an exciting new-ball partnership, which promises to be as potent as any in the Blast, with Craig Overton as an accomplished back-up.
The big question: Can the likes of Will Smeed and Tom Kohler-Cadmore hit the ground running with their powerful stroke play, without the benefit of some red-ball cricket behind them this summer? The hugely talented Smeed averaged only 21 in last year’s Blast and needs to reestablish himself as a destroyer at the top of the order.
Wildcard watch: Lewis Goldsworthy has not featured in Championship cricket for Somerset this season, but his ability as a spinner allied to his prowess with the bat could make him a candidate to replace Roelof van der Merwe, whose Somerset T20 career has ended after two impressive spells with the club.
Final thought: The burning memory of a shock defeat by arch-rivals Gloucestershire in last year’s Blast final should be all the incentive Somerset need to drive them to another Finals Day with a team that looks stronger in the bowling department than last season and equally explosive with the bat.
Tickets
Tickets for Hampshire Hawks Vitality Blast double header against Somerset are available here.
Coverage
A live stream will be available for the match and a link to this stream will be available in the at www.utilitabowl.com/cricket, along with a live match centre with the scorecard, statistics and insight available throughout the match.
