Men’s Vitality Blast Preview: Somerset v Northants Steelbacks
THE MATCH
Somerset are in Vitality Blast action tomorrow (Friday July 10th) when we take on Northants Steelbacks at the Cooper Associates County Ground.
Play will get underway at 6:30pm.
Tickets for this match are still available.
Somerset are currently fourth in the Central & West Group with 20 points from 10 matches whilst Northants Steelbacks are top of the table with 36 points from the same number of fixtures.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Gates will open at 4:30pm.
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.
Bag searches will be in operation which may increase the time it takes you to enter the venue.
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 or queries will be managed at the Jack White Gates (St James Street).
The Club Reception Desk is now permanently based in the Reception of the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion.
Due to the busy nature of a matchday, our telephone lines will reopen at 10am on Monday July 13th.
Scorecards will be available from Reception in the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion. Completed scorecards can be downloaded after the match via the Membership section of this website.
SOMERSET LEISURE FAN VILLAGE
The Somerset Leisure Fan Village will be situated in the St James Street side of the Cooper Associates County Ground.
This will feature a wide range of food and drink plus live music from Big Hands Band.
Matchday food and drink will also be available from the SCCC concessions and bars around the ground.
Joel’s, which is located behind Block Five of the Somerset Stand, near the Joel Garner Gates will also be open.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
Our award winning live stream is available for fans to watch via this website and our YouTube channel.
You can also keep up to date by using our dedicated matchday blog via this website’s Match Centre and on our X feed.
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.
A report on the day’s play will also be posted on this website.
THE OPPOSITION
Captain: David Willey
Overseas players: Chris Lynn (Australia, all), Nathan McSweeney (Australia, all)
Finals Day appearances: Five (2009, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2025)
Titles: Two (2013, 2016)
2025 finish: Semi-finals
2025 leading run-scorer: Ravi Bopara (462)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Ben Sanderson & George Scrimshaw (26)
Key winter moves: Northamptonshire are glad to have big-hitting Australian opener Chris Lynn back for a third season at Wantage Road after his match-winning century for Hampshire in last season’s semi-final ended the Steelbacks’ cup dreams. Northamptonshire will miss Ravi Bopara following his retirement, but welcome Big Bash-winning captain Nathan McSweeney who has been scoring heavily in the Championship.
The big question: David Willey has proved an inspirational leader, taking the Steelbacks to a quarter-final and a semi-final in his first two years in charge. Last season’s campaign began with a run of six victories before the Steelbacks stuttered in the second half of the group stages before rallying. Can the Steelbacks learn from that and maintain any early momentum?
Wildcard watch: Opener Ricardo Vasconcelos has returned to his best and is striking the ball hard, but few would bet against Ben Sanderson staking a claim again after his Hundred wildcard pick-up last year. The 37-year-old seamer is among county cricket’s leading wicket-takers in the Championship with four five-wicket hauls to his name and proving as effective as ever.
Final thought: Chris Lynn brings added firepower at the top of the order, while Willey will also be able to draw on McSweeney’s experience, as he looks to guide the Steelbacks to a second consecutive Finals Day appearance under charismatic head coach Darren Lehmann. Sanderson’s accuracy and Scrimshaw’s pace will again prove pivotal. Northamptonshire hope all-rounder Justin Broad, appointed vice-captain for the Blast, recovers from the back injury that ruled him out of the start of the season.
TEAM NEWS
Somerset are without Tom Abell (hand), Lewis Gregory (hamstring), Migael Pretorius (pectoral) and Tom Banton (international duty).
A starting XI will be named from the list below:
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Somerset Head Coach, Jason Kerr said: “We’ve had two very strong team performances in the last two games. There’s been some individual brilliance in there, but I think more importantly as a team, we’ve started to look more like our true identity.
“When you know what you’ve got to do, and it’s backs against the wall, it makes things a little bit clearer. So, in that sense, there’s no pressure. We’ve put ourselves in this position and there’s only us that can get us out of it. So, inevitably, that’s what we’re trying to do. We’ve got two important games to finish the competition and they’re at home so we’re excited by that and we’ll endeavour to finish in style. The opportunity is right in front of us. And as a group we’re really looking forward to it.
“The mood in the camp has always been strong. Obviously, there’s been some disappointment and frustration along the way, but we pride ourselves on the character that’s in the dressing room. We know what the situation is and now it’s about playing really good cricket, connecting with our identity and how we play as a team. If we can do that, hopefully the rest will take care of itself.”
TRADE NATION STATS
Ahead of our Vitality Blast matches this summer we will be be bringing you some amazing stats in partnership with Trade Nation.
CLASSIC MATCH
We head back to 2004 for the classic T20 clash between the two sides.
It was a dramatic encounter that went down to the very last ball!
After winning the toss, Somerset Captain, Mike Burns elected to bat.
Marcus Trescothick (56 from 29) and Keith Dutch (47 from 25) shared an opening stand of 118 before Ricky Ponting, making his T20 debut, scored a run-a-ball 20.
Keith Parsons (37 from 22) gave the innings late impetus as the home side closed on 211 for five.
The visitors slipped to 40 for two but a 71-run partnership between Martin van Jaarsveld (61 from 40) and David Sales (60* from 33) kept the visitors in the hunt.
Thankfully for the hosts, the bowlers held there nerve and Somerset won by four runs.
MATCH SPONSOR – PDAS
PDAS specialise in delivering complete design, supply, installation, and maintenance solutions for both packaged systems and adoptable pumping stations. Their expertise also extends to storm attenuation tanks, first-time sewerage schemes, station upgrades, and full refurbishments.
THE HOWARDS CROWD CATCH
In partnership with Howards Motor Group, Somerset County Cricket Club are introducing a crowd catch competition for the 2026 Vitality Blast and Metro Bank One Day Cup.
If you take a clean catch in the crowd during any of our remaining home white ball matches this summer, you will win a free service and valet voucher which can be redeemed at a Howards Motor Group garage.*
Experience the elite live sport and be a part of the action with the Howards Crowd Catch 2026!
THE WOLLENS O-ZONE CHALLENGE!
Somerset County Cricket Club have teamed up with Wollens Solicitors to help raise money for Children’s Hospice South West in 2026.
If any player hits the ball through the “O” of the Wollens advertising board at the Cooper Associates County Ground this year, Wollens will donate £1 for every run that is scored in that innings!
WIN A SOMERSET LEISURE CARAVAN
As part of our partnership with Somerset Leisure, we will be teaming up to bring our Members and supporters an incredible competition to win a caravan which is at the CACG today!
Keep your eyes on this website and our social channels for more information!
VITALITY BLAST VOLUNTEERS
At all of our Vitality Blast matches, Somerset Cricket Foundation’s Super 1 disability cricket players will be volunteering their time to support the matchday experience by offering you a friendly welcome and helping give out 4 & 6 cards.
Lord’s Taverners Super 1s is all about creating opportunities on the field, but just as importantly providing valuable experiences off the field that help young people develop confidence and life skills for the future.
If you see them around the ground this evening, please do say hello and give them plenty of encouragement because they’re a little nervous, but very excited to be part of tonight’s match.
PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS
Somerset County Cricket Club is proud to be supporting our partners Trade Nation in raising awareness of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, affecting thousands of families every year. The good news is that when it’s found early, it can often be treated successfully.
It’s important to know your risk and speak to your GP if you have any concerns.
Please join us in helping raise awareness by starting conversations, looking out for one another, and encouraging friends and family to learn more.
Thank you to Trade Nation for supporting this important cause and for those who have suffered, we shine a light on you tomorrow.
NEXT MATCH
Somerset Men and Women are next in action on Sunday in a Vitality Blast Double Header at the Cooper Associates County Ground.
Somerset Women will kick things off with a match against Essex and this will be followed by Somerset Men v Worcestershire Rapids.
Tickets for this match are still available:
