Metro Bank One Day Cup Preview: Northants Steelbacks v Somerset

 

THE MATCH

Somerset travel to the County Ground, Northampton to take on Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the Metro Bank One Day Cup tomorrow (Wednesday August 7th).

Tickets for this match are available now:

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Play is due to get underway at 11am.

Somerset are currently third in the Group A table with 6 points form 5 matches whilst Northants are 8th with 2 points from the same number of games.

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 Northamptonshire CCC.

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

THE OPPOSITION

Captain: Lewis McManus

Overseas player: Prithvi Shaw (India)

2023 finish: Sixth (Group B)

2023 leading run scorer: Prithvi Shaw (429)

2023 leading wicket taker: Rob Keogh (12)

Key player: Shaw vowed to return after a knee injury cut short an incredible maiden stint for the Steelbacks last year, which included a record-breaking 244 against Somerset – the sixth highest individual score in List A history. If he gets remotely close to that form this year, Northamptonshire will be strong challengers.

Keep an eye on: At 19, Raphy Weatherall broke into Northamptonshire’s first team this season, making his first-class and T20 debuts. Able to bowl with real pace, his grit and maturity were evident when he was trusted with key overs in this year’s Vitality Blast. The Metro Bank One-Day Cup offers him another opportunity to impress.

Final thought: Northamptonshire carry momentum from a successful Vitality Blast campaign into the Metro-Bank One-Day Cup and, with almost a full squad available, should be favourites to reach the knockout stages. Saif Zaib is in the form of his life and will play a key role until Caribbean League commitments in mid-August.

TEAM NEWS

Riley Meredith returns to the squad following a toe injury.

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

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Ahead of the game, Somerset Interim Head Coach, Paul Tweddle said: “We need to get back to winning ways tomorrow. We’re still playing good cricket and doing some really good things. We were on top in the match against Derbyshire for large portions of the game, but that’s cricket and the guys are still in a good place. If a few things had gone slightly differently we could be going into Wednesday’s game at the top of the table, but we move on and the focus is on the match at Northants now.

“We came into the competition with high expectations and I think that the players are living up to that so far. We’re growing as a team and we’re seeing consistent performances from one to 11. Everyone in the group has contributed positively in some way during the competition and that’s all we can ask for.

“Northants is never an easy place to go and their coming into the game on the back of a good win against Worcestershire. We will give them the respect that they deserve but will be focusing on what we need to do to come away from there with maximum points.”

CLASSIC MATCH

We go back to 1979 for the classic List A match between the two sides.

Somerset and Northants met in the final of the Gillette Cup Final at Lord’s and ity was the side from the West Country that came out on top by 45 runs.

After being invited to bat first at the toss, Somerset finished on 269 for eight from their 60 overs as Viv Richards showed his genuine class, making 117 in a match in which only one other batter (Allan Lamb 78) made a half century.

In reply, Northants were dismissed for 224 from 56.3 overs as Joel Garner decimated his opponents, claiming six for 29 from 10.3 overs as Somerset claimed their first trophy and began the start of the Glory Years era.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

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

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CCC WEBSITE

NEXT MATCH

Our next match is on Friday when we take on Worcestershire Rapids in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.

This match is due to get underway at 11am.

Tickets are still available.

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