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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 LV= Insurance County Championship.
Day one of this fixture is tomorrow (Monday July 10th).
SCHEDULED HOURS OF PLAY:
Morning session: 11am to 1pm
Afternoon session: 1:40pm to 3:40pm
Evening session: 4pm to 6pm
Tickets for this match are still available.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Gates will open at 10am.
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.
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 reopen at 12pm.
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.
Scorecards will be available from the SCS Shop and Reception in the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion.
On day three, only Block 5 of the Somerset Stand will be open to the public. The Somerset Stand will be closed on day four.
CATERING
Matchday food and drink will be available from Stragglers Coffee House, the Lord Botham Stand and from Salt & Malt (days one and two).
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 Twitter 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
Hampshire
Captain: James Vince
Head Coach: Adi Birrell
2022 finish: Third (Division One)
2023 Current League Position: Third (103 points from eight matches)
2023 leading runscorer: James Vince (614)
2023 leading wicket taker: Mohammad Abbas (33)
TEAM NEWS
Somerset are without Jack Leach, (back), Roelof van der Merwe (hand), Ned Leonard (concussion) and Sonny Baker (back). A number of players are also being rested ahead of Vitality Blast Finals Day.
Dom Bess is included in the squad after joining on a short-term loan.
The starting XI will be named from the following squad: Tom Abell, Sean Dickson, Tom Lammonby, George Bartlett, Andy Umeed, James Rew, Ben Green, Dom Bess, Lewis Goldsworthy, Kasey Aldridge, Shoaib Bashir, Jack Brooks and Alfie Ogborne.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Somerset Head Coach, Jason Kerr said: “We have to switch focus very quickly. Our last four-day performance was a comprehensive win over Nottinghamshire and we need to build on that, so mentally we need to flick that switch and be ready to take on Hampshire.
“We are going to need to make a few changes because we need to rest a few players ahead of Finals Day. We’ve also got a few niggles in the group and we have learned lessons from last year when we had a really challenging four-day ahead of Finals Day. That will present opportunities for some fresh faces and I’m excited by the opportunities that they will be afforded this week.
“Our philosophy will always be that we look to win every game of cricket that we play. We will always select the best XI available for that game. This week will be no different.”
CLASSIC MATCH
We go back to 1981 for this weeks classic First Class match.
Hampshire arrived at Taunton in August and were on the receiving end of a bowling masterclass from Joel Garner as Somerset triumphed by nine wickets in just two days.
Somerset Captain, Brian Rose won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Garner reduced the visitors to 14 for three by removing John Rice, Mark Nicholas and Trevor Jesty. Chris Smith (58) and Malcolm Marshall (41) were the only batters to show any resistance as Hampshire were dismissed for 184.
Garner finished with three for 39 whilst there were also three wickets for Ian Botham (three for 34) and Viv Richards (three for 21).
By the close of day one, a half century from Jeremy Lloyds had helped Somerset to reach 128 for two.
On day two, the hosts were dismissed for 287, a lead of 103. Marshall was the pick of the Hampshire attack, claiming five for 68.
If Garner had been impressive in Hampshire’s first innings, he was simply unplayable in their second. He claimed seven for 25 from his 14 overs to finish with match figures of 10 for 64 as the visitors were blown away for 120.
Somerset reached their required total for the loss of just one wicket.
CHARITY CYCLE RIDE – Cycle 4 Charles
On Monday, James Clark, James Toomey, and Charlie Collins will be setting off on a charitable challenge to cycle to all 18 county cricket grounds in England & Wales, in 18 days. That’s 1,100 miles, or 1,770 kilometres.
In 2019, James’ father, Charles Clark, who was the Chair of Somerset County Cricket Club, sadly died from Cancer. Therefore, they cyclists will be raising money for Cancer Research UK, which will be specifically used to fund research into metastasis, the spreading of cancer.
Charles was not only passionate about Somerset Cricket, but all cricket, and believed everyone should have access to the game. That is why they will also be raising money for Chance to Shine, the charity that aims to give all children the opportunity to play, learn and develop through cricket.
In order to help raise funds they are holding a silent auction for a signed Jos Buttler England shirt. To place your bid, simply email them.
SCHOOLS MATCH
Days one to three of this match will see schools from across the county attending the match for free. Special fun challenges will take place on the outfield during the lunch interval on the first three days of the match and this will mean that there will be no public access to the outfield at lunch until day four.
Over 1000 children will be visiting the ground each day, and the Ondaatje Stands and Trade Nation Stand will be reserved for schools day attendees, as will the Ondaatje toilets.
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!
NEXT MATCH
Somerset’s next match is the Vitality Blast semi-final against Surrey at Edgbaston on Saturday (July 15th).
