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County Championship Preview: Somerset v Hampshire
THE MATCH
Somerset welcome Hampshire to the Cooper Associates County Ground this week in Division One of the Vitality County Championship.
Day one of this fixture is tomorrow (Thursday September 26th).
Somerset are currently third in the Division One table with 193 points from 13 matches, whilst Hampshire are second with 195 points from the same number of fixtures.
SCHEDULED HOURS OF PLAY:
Morning session: 10:30am to 12:30pm
Afternoon session: 1:10pm to 3:10pm
Evening session: 3:30pm to 5:30pm
Tickets for this match are still available.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Gates will open at 9:30am.
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:
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 September 30th.
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 Visiting Guide.
The Brian Rose Gates will remain closed on Vitality County Championship matchdays in 2024.
Blocks 1 to 4 of the Somerset Stand will be closed to the public on days one and two County Championship fixtures, with the whole stand closed on days three and four.
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.
CATERING
Matchday food and drink will be available from Stragglers Coffee House, the Lord Botham Stand, the Great Catch Fish & Chip Bar (day one and day two), plus the concession unit in the lower tier of the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion.
Matchday dining is also available in the County Room. We offer breakfast, a carvery lunch and afternoon tea.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
Our live stream will once again be available for fans to watch via this website and at our YouTube channel.
You can also keep up to date using our dedicated matchday blog via this website’s Match Centre and on our X feed.
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 and these will last all season.
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
THE OPPOSITION
Captain: James Vince
Head Coach: Adi Birrell
2023 finish: Third (Division One)
2024 highest run-scorer: James Vince (919)
2024 highest wicket-taker: Liam Dawson (50)
TEAM NEWS
Lewis Goldsworthy will miss the match after picking up a groin injury.
Somerset have named the following squad for the match: Lewis Gregory, Andy Umeed, Tom Lammonby, Tom Abell, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Archie Vaughan, James Rew, Kasey Aldridge, Craig Overton, Josh Davey, Brett Randell, Jake Ball, Alfie Ogborne, Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Somerset Head Coach, Jason Kerr said: “It’s been a frustrating and disappointing few days, but we’ve still got a job to do. The aim remains the same, and that’s no different from the first game of the season. We will be going out there to win the game because we want to finish as high in the table as we can. We know that the best we can now do is second, so that will be the aim.
“We need to focus on the good things that we’ve done throughout the year and make sure we bounce back. The squad has trained really well this week and we’ll be doing everything that we can to get the right result.
“We always get good crowds for County Championship cricket and we love playing in front of our Members and supporters. Hopefully, we can give them something to cheer by finishing the season on a high.”
COOPER ASSOCIATES KEY PLAYER MATCH UP
CLASSIC MATCH
We go back to 1981 for the classic First Class match between the two Counties.
It was a match that Somerset won by nine wickets thanks to a superb performance from Joel Garner.
After winning the toss and electing to field, the home side dismissed Hampshire for 184 inside 69 overs. Chris Smith was the only batter to reach the half century mark, whilst Garner, Ian Botham and Viv Richards each claimed three wickets.
In reply, Somerset were all out for 287, Jeremy Lloyds top scoring with 50 whilst Marshall claimed five for 68.
Hampshire were blown away for just 120 in their second innings as Garner ripped through the batting lineup, finishing with seven for 25 top claim match figures of 10 for 64.
Somerset reached the required total for the loss of just one wicket to secure a comprehensive victory.
MATCH SPONSOR – ALLIANCE MEDICAL
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2025 Membership
2025 Somerset County Cricket Club Membership will go on sale tomorrow (Thursday September 26th).
Take your place in history
DOWNLOAD MEMBERSHIP BROCHURE 2025
150 years of history
150 years of heritage
150 years of glory
150 years of greatness
As we celebrate and commemorate our glorious past, we stand on the verge of an exciting new era as we play a key role in the evolution of the women’s game. Two teams, one Club.
Take your place in history as we look to the future.
Membership will be available to purchase online only from 8:30am on Thursday September 26th.
You will also be able to renew or purchase in person if you are attending our Vitality County Championship match against Hampshire which begins on the 26th.
SCCC staff will be available at Reception in the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion during the match with Hampshire to answer any questions that you might have and to discuss the new and exciting benefits.
Membership will be available over the phone and in person from Reception in the Andrew Caddick Pavilion from 10am on Monday September 30th.
If you pay by Direct Debit, you will need to reconfirm your Membership category with the Club. Your Membership will no longer automatically renew at the 2025 price.
Direct Debit Members will be notified of payment deadlines shortly.
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a Member of Somerset County Cricket Club?
Well, now you can find out!
On any day of our Vitality County Championship match against Hampshire, which begins on September 26th, we are offering our Member For The Day ticket.
For just £20 you will receive a special ticket which will provide you with Member benefits for the day.
You will receive:
- Access to our Member Stands and Member Bar
- A 10% discount at SCCC food and drink concessions
To experience a matchday as a Somerset County Cricket Club Member, take advantage of this special offer now!
Already a Member? Tell your friends about this offer and they could join you in the Members areas for this fixture.
In addition to this, any adult non-Member that signs up to this offer and then goes on to take out full 2025 Membership* during this match will have the £20 discounted from their Membership purchase.
THATCHERS GIVEAWAY
We have teamed up with our partners at Thatchers Cider to offer a special giveaway during this Vitality County Championship match.
Anyone who purchases a full 2025 Membership throughout the four days of this fixture will be entered into a prize draw to win a mixed case of Thatchers cider!
WPA PREDICTIONS LEAGUE
So, you think you know your cricket do you? Here’s your chance to prove it!
Powered by WPA Health Insurance, the new game allows you to score points on every Somerset matchday.
Collect points throughout the year for correct predictions and make your way up the leaderboard to prove that you are the font of all cricketing knowledge!
The top Scorers for each competition will receive a prize.
Watch. Predict. Win!
TAUNTON TOGETHER
This Saturday is “Taunton Together,” a free end of summer celebration, brought to you by Taunton Town Council.
The event is a celebration of Taunton’s rich heritage, community, culture, and diversity, in the heart of the town centre. There will be arts, entertainment and delicious food to enjoy, plus you can find out about the diverse cultures in the town and try your hand at something new, with free activities for everyone.
Performances, acts, artists, food stalls, sports and more will be located across the town centre, with the key focus on Goodland Gardens, Somerset Square (the area next to The Brewhouse), Castle Green, Hammet Street and Taunton Minster and the High Street and Orchard Centre.
As part of the festival, you can gain free entry after 3pm to day three of our Vitality County Championship match against Hampshire at the Cooper Associates County Ground.
*2025 Associate Membership, Somerset Women Membership, Somerset Nation Membership and Junior Membership does not qualify in this offer.
