)}})
Blast Off: Double Header Preview
THE MATCHES
Blast Off will see us staging two not-to-be-missed matches tomorrow (Friday May 31st).
Somerset welcome Essex Eagles to the Cooper Associates County Ground in our opening fixture of this summer’s Vitality Blast and before that Western Storm take on Sunrisers in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.
Gates open at 1:30pm, with Western Storm getting things underway at 2:30pm.
Somerset v Essex Eagles will being at 6:30pm.
Please note that neither of these matches are included in 2024 Western Storm Membership.
Tickets for this match have sold out, but you may still be able to access tickets via our Official Re-Sale Platform.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Bag searches will be in operation and spectators are reminded that no glass or sharp implements will be permitted within the Cooper Associates County Ground.
For full Ground Regulations please visit the link below:
Members and supporters are not permitted to bring alcohol into Vitality Blast fixtures.
Ticket buyers can 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 reopen at 10am on Monday June 3rd.
Information on everything that you will need for a matchday at SCCC, including how to download your e-tickets and how to use the SCCC Ticket App can all be found in our Visiting Guide.
Scorecards will be available from Reception in the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion. Completed scorecards can now be downloaded after the match via the Membership section of this website.
FAN VILLAGE & CATERING
We will once again be staging our brilliant fan village in the St James Street side of the Cooper Associates County Ground.
The fan village will once again feature a wide range of food and drink plus live music before and after the match.
Matchday food and drink will be available from the SCCC concessions and bars around the ground.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
The Somerset match is being broadcast on Sky Sports and therefore there won’t be a live stream.
However, there will be a live stream of the Western Storm fixture.
You can keep up to date using our dedicated matchday blog via this website’s Match Centre and on our X feed.
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
THE OPPOSITION
Captain: Simon Harmer
Overseas players: Simon Harmer (South Africa), Daniel Sams (Australia)
Finals Day appearances: Six (2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2019, 2023)
Titles: One (2019)
2023 finish: Finalists
2023 leading run-scorer: Daniel Sams (419)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Daniel Sams (25)
Key winter moves: Essex reacted cannily to the loss of Dan Lawrence. They replaced him with Kent’s livewire Jordan Cox, who outperformed the Oval-bound defector in the Blast last season (averaging 52.50 against 29.69 with a superior strike-rate of 165.78 compared to 153.17).
The big question: Will Essex make their passage through the group stage a little less stressful for all concerned? They were rightly being written off when losing their penultimate group match to last season’s whipping boys Middlesex only to pull off a shock win against Surrey two days later and qualify.
Wildcard watch: The Hundred selectors have swept up the majority of those eligible from the Essex camp. However, Feroze Khushi has been Bazball-ing in the Championship and will forever be remembered for the last-ball six at the Kia Oval that carried Essex to a quarter-final place enroute to last season’s final.
Final thought: The return of the Australian all-rounder Daniel Sams for a third successive overseas stint could be key. Sams won the tournament’s MVP last year after topping both Essex’s batting and bowling lists with 419 runs and 25 wickets (he also held 13 catches). A whole heap of expectation rests on his shoulders.
TEAM NEWS
Tom Kohler-Cadmore returns to the squad for the first time this season following his stint in the IPL, whilst white-ball players Will Smeed and Roelof van der Merwe are also available for selection for the first time this summer. Overseas signing, Riley Meredith is in line to make his debut for the Club.
Somerset have named the following squad for the fixture: Lewis Gregory, Will Smeed, Tom Banton, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Abell, Tom Lammonby, Sean Dickson, Ben Green, Craig Overton, Roelof van der Merwe, Josh Davey, Riley Meredith and Jake Ball.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
On the eve of the game, Somerset Head Coach, Jason Kerr said: “It’s an incredibly exciting time and you can feel the energy around the dressing room. We’ve practiced well this week and there’s a real buzz as people look ahead to the opportunity that this competition presents.
“Prep time has been quite limited, but that’s the same for everyone. We just need to flip that switch and get that match sharpness as quickly as we can. It’s important that we look forwards rather than dwelling on the past. It’s important that we learn from last year’s campaign because the challenge you face when you are defending a title is how you can evolve. This year provides us with the opportunity to get better and move forward as a group.
“One of the advantages of the way in which the season is structured is that players come back into the fold and bring a fresh energy. Tom Kohler-Cadmore is excited to be back and can’t wait to get back out there for Somerset. It’s the same for Will Smeed and Roelof van der Merwe. The guys who have been away always look forward to coming back and that’s testament to the environment that they’ve created here
“Vitality Blast evening games are amazing here and we get incredible support for which we are extremely grateful.”
TRADE NATION STAT
THE COOPER ASSOCIATES KEY PLAYER MATCH UP
CLASSIC MATCH
What better way to preview a repeat of last year’s Vitality Blast final than by repeating last year’s Vitality Blast final?
The last time that the two sides met in T20 cricket was at Edgbaston last summer.
You know the rest!
MATCH SPONSOR – MOULDEX
Mouldex are a nationwide specialist mould and condensation control company, offering an end-to-end solution including site surveys, installation of intelligent ventilation systems and mould treatment with a five-year guarantee. Please contact them to find out how they can improve the indoor air quality in your home.
INTRODUCING THE VERTU MOTORS CROWD CATCH!
In partnership with Vertu Motors, Somerset County Cricket Club have launched a new competition for the 2024 Vitality Blast season.
As well as enjoying the spectacular action of this season’s Blast, you can be a part of it with the Vertu Motors Crowd Catch!
If you take a clean catch in the crowd during any of our Home Vitality Blast matches, you will win hospitality for two to our Metro Bank One Day Cup match against Kent Spitfires at the Cooper Associates County Ground on Friday July 26th.
In order to qualify for the prize, the official in-play match ball must be caught by the winner straight from the air without having touched any object or person before being caught by the winner. Evidence of identity, ticket and age may be required.
NEXT MATCH
Our next match is on Sunday when we take on Surrey in the Vitality Blast at the Kia Oval.
The next match at the Cooper Associates County Ground is on Sunday June 9th when we take on Hampshire Hawks in the same competition.
Tickets are still available.
