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Men’s Vitality Blast Preview: Gloucestershire v Somerset
THE MATCHES
Somerset travel up the M5 to take on local rivals Gloucestershire in the Vitality Blast at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol today.
It is a repeat of last year’s final at Edgbaston.
Tickets for this match are still available:
Somerset are currently top of the South Group with a 100% record of 16 points from four matches whilst Gloucestershire are in eighth place and will be looking for their first victory in the competition.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
You can keep up to date using the dedicated Match Centre on this website.
In-play updates will also appear on our X feed (formerly Twitter).
The match is being broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket.
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
THE OPPOSITION
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Captain: Jack Taylor
Overseas players: D’Arcy Short (Australia, all group matches), Cameron Bancroft (Australia, full competition)
Finals Day appearances: 4 (2003, 2007, 2020, 2024)
Titles: One
2024 finish: Winners
2024 leading run-scorer: Cameron Bancroft (534)
2024 leading wicket-taker: David Payne (33)
Key winter moves: Dynamic with the bat and a capable wrist spinner, Aussie international D’Arcy Short looks sure to prove an exciting replacement for fellow countryman Beau Webster, who featured in 13 of Gloucestershire’s 17 Blast matches last season. Aged 34, Short has represented his country 23 times in T20s and in eight ODIs.
The big question: Gloucestershire have always revelled in the role of underdogs and did so again to become surprise winners of last year’s Blast. As holders of the trophy, no one will be underestimating them this season, so can them perform as well with the added pressure of being among the favourites to reach Finals Day?
Wildcard watch: Only Cameron Bancroft scored more Blast runs for Gloucestershire last season than Miles Hammond, who notched 54 fours and 23 sixes in averaging 32.46 as an ever-present throughout the competition. The 29-year-old left-hander will again be a key figure in defending the trophy.
Final thought: Mark Alleyne’s influence on Gloucestershire’s one-day cricket promises to be as important as when he captained the side in their glory years. No one expected a trophy last season, his first since returning to the club as head coach, but his shrewd tactical brain and winning mentality quickly transferred to the team as they became Blast champions.
TEAM NEWS
Somerset have added Jack Leach to the squad for this fixture.
A starting XI will be named from the following squad:
VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Somerset Head Coach, Jason Kerr said: “It was an incredible performance last night against Middlesex on an incredible surface and the Members and supporters certainly got value for money! I’m incredibly proud of this group and we’re all looking forward to a local derby.
“Last night was incredible but it’s important that we live in the moment. The guys have got to go again tonight both physically and mentally and we need to be ready for the challenge that Gloucestershire will provide.
“We’re in good form, we don’t have anything to prove and we want to beat everyone that we come up against. We all look forward to games like this and hopefully we can put on a good performance in front of a big crowd there tonight.”
TRADE NATION STATS
CLASSIC MATCH
We head back to 2022 for our classic T20 match between the two sides at Bristol.
Chasing 112 for victory from 10 overs in a rain affected game, Somerset slipped to 55 for seven.
However, Roelof van der Merwe smashed his way to 48 not out from just 15 balls as Somerset claimed a remarkable 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 Gloucestershire CCC Website.
NEXT MATCH
Somerset Men are next in action on Sunday we we take on Kent Spitfires at the Cooper Associates County Ground in the Vitality Blast. This match is part of a double head which also features Somerset Women v Durham Women.
This match has sold out!
Somerset Men and Women both play Hampshire Hawks at the Cooper Associates County Ground in a Vitality Blast double header on Thursday June 19th.
Tickets for this matchday are still available and can be purchased now!
