)}})
County Championship Preview: Warwickshire v Somerset
THE MATCH
Somerset travel to Edgbaston this week to take on Warwickshire in the LV= Insurance County Championship First Division.
Day one of this fixture is due to get underway tomorrow (Tuesday September 26th).
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
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
You can keep up to date using our dedicated Match Centre on this website 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.
THE OPPOSITION
WARWICKSHIRE
Captain: Will Rhodes
Head Coach: Mark Robinson
2022 finish: Eighth (Division One)
2022 highest run scorer: Sam Hain (1,137)
2022 highest wicket taker: Olly Hannon-Dalby (53)
Player to watch: Rob Yates. Form is temporary, class is permanent, they say – expect Yates to prove that in 2023. Dropped down to three last year after arriving in county cricket with big runs as an opener, Yates lost form. Restored to opening for the last match, he scored a crucial century to help keep Warwickshire in Division One. With Dom Sibley gone, the 23-year-old will be back up top again and ready to fly.
TEAM NEWS
Somerset are still without Jack Leach (back), Craig Overton (back), Kasey Aldridge (side) and Sonny Baker (back). Tom Kohler-Cadmore is unavailable due to international duty, but Sean Dickson returns to the squad.
The starting XI will be selected from the following squad: Tom Abell*, Sean Dickson, Tom Lammonby, Lewis Goldsworthy, Andy Umeed, Tom Banton, James Rew+, Lewis Gregory, Josh Davey, Neil Wagner, Jack Brooks, Ned Leonard and Shoaib Bashir.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the game, Somerset Head Coach, Jason Kerr said: “I felt that we were outstanding last week against Kent. Although we were disrupted by the weather, the cricket that we played was very good. It’s important that we build on that and finish the season strongly against Warwickshire.
“The reality is that we want to take as many positives as we can from the summer and lay the foundations for next season during the winter. We are an aspirational club and we want to keep on improving so we need to emulate the good things that we’ve done this year. Both sides will be wanting to finish the season well and we need to make sure that we do that.
“We’re without Tom Kohler-Cadmore, but Sean Dickson returns following the birth of his second child. We also saw the quality of Lewis Goldsworthy and Andrew Umeed last week. It was good to see Tom Lammonby make a hundred as well, so there’s a lot of confidence in the batting line up at the moment. If we also continue to bowl in the way that we have done then that will stand us in good stead for this week.”
CLASSIC MATCH
We head back to 1987 for the classic First Class encounter between the two sides.
The match at Edgbaston ended in a draw but those present saw an outstanding individual performance from Somerset’s Martin Crowe.
Norman Gifford won the toss and asked Somerset to bat first.
The visitors slipped to 42 for three. Crowe was joined at the crease by Nick Pringle (79) and the pair took the score to 235. Somerset skipper, Vic Marks added an important 60 not out but it was New Zealand international Crowe how dominated the innings as he finished unbeaten on 206 as Somerset declared on 407 for four from 100 overs.
Allan Donald was the pick of the Warwickshire attack, claiming three for 74.
In reply, Warwickshire declared on 301 for three from 88 overs. Andy Moles top scored with 145 not out.
Batting a second time, Somerset declared on 199 for seven. Mark Davis and Vic Marks both claimed three wickets in the Warwickshire second innings as the hosts reached 205 for seven as the match ended in a draw.
Both teams claimed five points but the game was memorable for one of the finest innings played by a Somerset batter.
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!
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you are planning to attend the match, all the information you need can be found on the official Warwickshire CCC Website.
