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Metro Bank One Day Cup: Semi Final Preview
THE MATCH
Somerset take on Worcestershire Rapids in the semi final of the Metro Bank One Day Cup at Visit Worcestershire New Road tomorrow, Sunday August 31st.
The winners of the match will go on to play either Yorkshire or Hampshire in the Metro Bank One Day Cup final on Saturday September 20th at Trent Bridge.
Play in the semi final is due to get underway at 11am.
Tickets for this match are still available:
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
You can keep up to date using the dedicated Match Centre on this website which will feature a live stream of the action courtesy of Worcestershire CCC.
In-play updates will also 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
WORCESTERSHIRE RAPIDS
Captain: Jake Libby
2024 Position: Quarter-final
2024 Most Runs: Jake Libby (526)
2024 Most Wickets: Jack Home (16)
Overview: Worcestershire are blessed with the availability of many first-team regulars who are not affected by selection in The Hundred, meaning the majority of Alan Richardson’s first-choice eleven will be involved for the Rapids across the tournament. Skipper Jake Libby and mid-season signing Khurram Shahzad will look to show their quality and blend with some exciting youngsters to compete for silverware.
Player to watch: Tom Taylor. Having registered the most wickets for Worcestershire so far this season, the right-arm seamer has been in stand-out form across all formats this summer for his side. The 30-year-old has made his name as a frugal opening bowler and will be looking to continue his consistent performances that have yielded him an impressive average of under 25 across both formats.
Young gun: Henry Cullen. The exciting 22-year-old wicketkeeper featured during this year’s Vitality Blast having been on the radar for some time at Visit Worcestershire New Road. His eye-catching displays for the 2nd XI have forced an opening into the senior set-up, with this competition the perfect platform for the cultured and efficient young batter to show off his skills.
Final thought: A promising end to the Vitality Blast campaign will offer supporters hope that the Rapids white-ball form can extend further into the summer, with the likes of Ethan Brookes central to any hopes of bettering last year’s encouraging quarter-final finish. Having lacked consistency throughout the summer, the exciting crop of youngsters will be looking to breakthrough and enjoy successful campaigns in a side more than capable of challenging deep into the tournament.
TEAM NEWS
Somerset have named the following squad for the match:
VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Somerset CCC Interim Head Coach, Paul Tweddle said: “I’m absolutely delighted that the players have secured a semi final because they absolutely deserve it. They’ve worked incredibly hard and have become incredibly close s a group. The whole squad has bonded really well and you can see that they are playing for each other. They really understand what this competition means to the Club and to the Members and supporters.
“Worcestershire are a good side and they’ve shown that by securing a home semi final. New Road is a fantastic place to play and I’m sure it will be a great occasion. It’s certainly a game that everyone in the dressing room is looking forward to.
“The reward is a place in the final at Trent Bridge and the players will be doing everything in their power to ensure that this isn’t our last game in this year’s tournament.”
CLASSIC MATCH
We go back to 2019 for our classic match between the two sides.
The fixture was the quarter-final of the Royal London One-Day Cup at New Road and it was a game that saw Somerset cruise into the last four courtesy of a 147-run victory.
Worcestershire won the toss and elected to field. Unfortunately for the hosts, that was as good as the day got.
Tom Banton smashed a stunning 95-ball century as the visitors amassed 337 for eight from their 50 overs.
The Somerset keeper/batter made 112 from 103 balls and shared a second wicket stand of 115 with Peter Trego as his side set the hosts an imposing target.
The home side slipped to 68 for three when Callum Ferguson was brilliantly run out by Tom Abell and wickets continued to fall regularly as Worcestershire were dismissed for 190 in 38 overs.
Azhar Ali was the pick of the Somerset bowlers, claiming five for 34.
It was a terrific result for Somerset supporters, and things got even better as the team from Taunton went on to lift the Royal London Cup at Lord’s.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you are planning to attend the match, all the information you need can be found on the official Worcestershire CCC Website.
NEXT MATCH
Somerset’s next match is on Saturday September 6th when we take on Bears at the Cooper Associates County Ground in the quarter final of the Vitality Blast.
Tickets for this match are sold out.
However, the SCCC Official Ticket Re-Sale Platform for the match is now live!
The platform enables Members and ticket holders to sell their allocated seats for matches that they can no longer attend.
This therefore gives supporters the opportunity to securely sell and buy tickets to our sold-out Vitality Blast games.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
To use use platform, please consult our useful guide.
