Metro Bank One Day Cup Preview: Northamptonshire Steelbacks v Somerset
THE MATCH
Somerset take on Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at The cinch County Ground, Northampton tomorrow (Sunday August 9th).
Tickets for this match are available now:
Play is due to commence at 11am.
Somerset are fifth in the Group A table with 12 points from six matches whilst Northamptonshire are eighth with eight points from the same number of fixtures.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
You can keep up to date using the dedicated Match Centre on this website.
There will be a live stream of this match provided by Northamptonshire County Cricket Club.
In-play updates will appear on our X feed (formerly Twitter).
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
THE OPPOSITION
Captain: Nathan McSweeney
2025 Position: 9th (Group B)
2025 Most Runs: James Sales (268)
2025 Most Wickets: Liam Guthrie (9)
Overview: Northamptonshire underwhelmed in last year’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup, but there are real signs of optimism this year, not least momentum from their run to Vitality T20 Blast Finals Day. Although they lose seven players to The Hundred, the club can call on several experienced players as well as the youngsters they blooded in last year’s competition.
Player to watch: Australia international Nathan McSweeney has been handed the captaincy. Not only in fine form in the Rothesay County Championship and Vitality T20 Blast, McSweeney brings considerable captaincy experience, being just the second skipper to lift all three trophies in Australian domestic cricket.
Young gun: All-rounder Gus Miller played a key role in Northamptonshire’s run to Second XI Finals Day this year and showed his temperament with a maiden Championship half-century after an emergency call-up against Durham. He will hope to use the Metro Bank One-Day Cup to establish himself in the senior side after only featuring once in the Blast.
Final thought: With so many Northamptonshire players featuring in The Hundred, this year’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup provides opportunities for several talented youngsters to stake their claims. They will be bolstered by veteran India international leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal who returns for his third stint with the Steelbacks.
TEAM NEWS
Somerset will be without Alfie Ogborne and have named the following squad for this fixture:
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Somerset Head Coach, Jason Kerr said: “I think Friday was our best performance in the competition so far. We needed a strong response after a narrow defeat and a really poor performance. I can’t speak highly enough of the group. Lammers was phenomenal and it was a superb partnership with Goulders. There were contributions from everyone. Archie was outstanding and Leacy showed that he’s world-class. It was a great performance, and it gives us a huge confidence boost going into the weekend.
“Our losses in this comp have been on the road, so we need to change that tomorrow. We need to assess conditions as quickly as we can and then apply what’s needed in the moment. We’ve had three losses on the road, so it’s time to put that right.
“We’ve got match winners from one to 11, so hopefully we can bring that on Sunday and then again on Tuesday.”
CLASSIC MATCH
We head back in time to 2001 for the classic List A encounter between the two teams at Northampton.
It was a 50-over Benson & Hedges Cup match which saw Somerset come out on top by eight wickets thanks to a century from Marcus Trescothick.
The hosts won the toss, elected to bat and half centuries from Tony Penberthy (58) and Alec Swan (54*) saw their side post a total of 219 for six from their allotted overs.
Andy Caddick and Jason Kerr both claimed two wickets.
Somerset lost Mark Lathwell early but Trescothick and Jamie Cox (72) shared a second wicket stand of 145 to get their side back on track.
Trescothick went on to make an unbeaten 109 from 117 deliveries as Somerset eased over the line with 65 balls to spare.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you are planning to attend the match, all the information you need can be found on the official Northamptonshire CCC Website.
NEXT MATCH
Somerset’s next match is on Tuesday August 11th when we welcome Lancashire to the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
Tickets for this match are available now:
What could be better than limited overs cricket during the summer holidays in Somerset?
YOU ARE THE DJ
As part of the day, we want you to play your part so that we can play your song!
This is your chance to help fire up the matchday atmosphere by choosing the music that will be played throughout the matchday.
Simply submit the song you’d love to hear while cheering for Somerset.
If your song is selected, we’ll play it over the stadium speakers and give you a shoutout from our matchday announcer!
You can request your song now via the link below!
YOU ARE SOMERSET & YOU ARE THE DJ!
THE YOU ARE SMERSET WALL
We want to know what Somerset CCC means to you.
Your memories are what make the Club so special and we want to hear all about them.
On the matchday there will be a You Are Somerset Wall located within the Cooper Associates County Ground, and we want you share your stories!
THE ROCK CHOIR
For your musical pleasure, the amazing Rock Choir will be performing throughout the day on the Somerset Leisure Stage in our Fan Village!
Join us for a day that really is not-to-be-missed!
