Metro Bank One Day Cup Preview: Middlesex v Somerset

 

THE MATCH

Somerset travel to Lord’s to take on Middlesex in the Metro Bank One Day Cup tomorrow (Sunday August 11th).

Play is due to get underway at 11am.

Tickets for this match are available now:

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Somerset are currently top of the Group A table with 10 points from seven matches whilst Middlesex are sixth with seven points from six matches.

HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?

You can keep up to date with a live blog via our dedicated Match Centre and also on our X feed.

MATCH CENTRE

There will also be a live stream of the game provided by Middlesex CCC.

In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.

THE OPPOSITION

Captain: Mark Stoneman

Overseas players: None

2023 finish: Seventh (Group A)

2023 leading run scorer: Joe Cracknell (290)

2023 leading wicket taker: Ethan Bamber (12)

Key player: Luke Hollman – the leg-spinner is one of very few to emerge from the T20 campaign with white-ball form after 23 wickets. With three of Middlesex’s four home games on out-grounds, his ability to apply the long handle over short boundaries is another plus.

Keep an eye on: Noah Cornwell – we’ve seen glimpses of the England U19 seamer’s talent in the Vitality Blast and with Tom Helm and Ryan Higgins away on The Hundred duty this represents another good opportunity. The fact he bowls left-arm brings variety and two of Middlesex’s four games will be on his home ground at Radlett.

Final thought: With five first XI call-ups to The Hundred having left explosive batting resources depleted, the Seaxes are likely to need their promising, but largely inexperienced bowling attack to defend smaller totals than they’d like or to keep any chase within bounds.

TEAM NEWS

Josh Davey returns to the squad for the trip to his former club.

Somerset have named the following squad for the match: Sean Dickson (c), George Thomas, Andy Umeed, Lewis Goldsworthy, James Rew, Josh Thomas, Archie Vaughan, Ben Green, Kasey Aldridge, Josh Davey, Alfie Ogborne, Ned Leonard, Jack Leach and Riley Meredith.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Ahead of the game, Somerset Interim Head Coach, Paul Tweddle said: “The players were outstanding again against Worcestershire yesterday. Every single one of them put in a real shift.

“Lord’s is a special place to play and what better place to be able to clinch qualification for the knock out stages. Everyone is buzzing to play there and hopefully we seal a place in the next stages.

“We’re in a really good place going into the game and if we can stick to how we’ve played our cricket throughout this competition so far then we will be in a good position.”

CLASSIC MATCH

We go back to 1988 for the classic List A match between the two sides.

Somerset faced Middlesex at Lord’s in the 40-over Refuge Assurance League in June that year. It was a match that Somerset won by 27 runs, thanks in no small part to 140 not out from Steve Waugh.

Somerset Captain, Peter Roebuck won the toss and elected to bat first but his side lost two early wickets to slip to 20 for two, and when the skipper was bowled by Angus Fraser for 31 Somerset were 62 for three.

Waugh and Ricky Bartlett (50) then added 141 for the fourth wicket.

The Australian remained unbeaten as Somerset posted a total of 247 for five from their allotted overs.

The home side were reduced to 74 for six, but a century from Keith Brown and 43 from Neil Williams gave them hope.

However, Neil Mallender (four for 31) and Graham Rose (three for 34) strangled the life out of Middlesex as the hosts were restricted to 220 for nine.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

You can find out everything that you need to know about attending the game via the Official Middlesex Website.

MIDDLESEX CCC WEBSITE