Vitality Blast Double Header Preview: Sunday July 12th
THE MATCHES
Somerset Men and Somerset Women are both in action in the Vitality Blast at the Cooper Associates County Ground tomorrow (Sunday July 12th).
Somerset Women will get the action underway when they take on Essex at 2:30pm with Somerset Men facing Worcestershire Rapids at 6:35pm.
There are less than 500 tickets for the final double header available.
Somerset Women are currently fifth in the table with 23 points from 11 matches whilst Essex are sixth with 21 points from the same number of fixtures.
Somerset Men are third in the group with 24 points from 11 matches whilst Worcestershire Rapids are fourth with the same number of points from the same number of games.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Gates will open at 1:30pm.
Please note that double headers are not included in 2026 Somerset Women Membership.
Please note that there will be no re-admittance after 5:30pm.
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 Yesterday’s Youth between fixtures, during the intervals of the Men’s match.
Matchday food and drink will also be available from the SCCC concessions and bars around the ground.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
Our award winning live stream is available for fans to watch the Women’s match via this website and our YouTube channel.
The Men’s match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and therefore no live stream will be available.
You can also keep up to date by using our dedicated Match Centre and on our X feed.
A report on the day’s play will also be posted on this website.
THE OPPOSITION
ESSEX WOMEN
Captain: Grace Scrivens
Overseas players: None
2025 finish: 7th
2025 leading run-scorer: Lauren Winfield-Hill (334)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Esmae MacGregor (21)
Key winter moves: Batter Liberty Heap, signed from Lancashire, is yet to feature for Essex – and the bigger issue as arguably who they’ve lost, rather than gained, since the 2025 Blast campaign. Lauren Winfield-Hill, back at Yorkshire after last season’s loan spell, was Essex’s leading run-scorer with Australian all-rounder Maddie Penna, now lining up for Lancashire, a close second.
The big question: It’s not only how Essex replace Winfield-Hill and Penna, but how they go about putting runs on the board collectively. The team only posted two totals above 160 last year, one in a dead rubber against Durham, and the likes of Cordelia Griffith, Grace Scrivens and recent England ODI cap Jodi Grewcock need to find ways of improving that.
Wildcard watch: Flo Miller has begun the 50-over tournament in good form, hitting unbeaten half-centuries against Somerset and Surrey and her strike rate of almost 96 is the best among Essex’s recognised batters. The 22-year-old could really come into her own as a T20 finisher – provided the top order give her a solid foundations to work with.
Final thought: Essex may miss Abtaha Maqsood’s wicket-taking skills in the post-powerplay overs while the leg-spinner is on World Cup duty with Scotland, but they possess a good stock of seamers who can do some damage. Esmae MacGregor’s return of 21 wickets was the second-best in last year’s Blast while Eva Gray, Sophie Munro and Kate Coppack should all help to make Essex more competitive, as long as they have something substantial to bowl at.
WORCESTERSHIRE RAPIDS MEN
Captain: Brett D’Oliveira
Overseas players: Sikandar Raza (Pakistan, all). Usama Mir (Pakistan, all)
Finals Day appearances: Two (2018, 2019)
Titles: One (2018)
2025 finish: 5th in North Group
2025 leading run-scorer: Ethan Brookes (380)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Ben Dwarshuis (18)
Key winter moves: With last season’s leading wicket-taker, Aussie seamer Ben Dwarshuis, unavailable this summer, the Pears have invested heavily in spin with the signings of Pakistan pair Sikandar Raza and Usama Mir.
The big question: Can the Rapids transfer their inspiring 50-over form of 2025 into the shorter format? They have players capable of turning matches but a consistent lack of consistency has meant they have progressed beyond the group stage in only one of the last six seasons.
Wildcard watch: Dan Lategan – the 19-year-old batter arrived at New Road too late for the Blast last season but made an eye-catching start in both red-ball and 50-over formats. After two months tasting the different pressures of red-ball cricket, the fluent strokemaker could be ready to free up and fly in the Blast.
Final thought: The Rapids’ Blast history began back on 13 June 2003 with an absolute thriller – a one-wicket win over Northamptonshire achieved with one ball to spare thanks to Stephen Moore’s audacious unbeaten 39 from 27 balls. It is time for the Rapids, having shown what they can do in bursts in recent seasons, to combine efficiency with the thrilling cameos and string some wins together to reach their third Finals Day.
TEAM NEWS
Somerset Women will be without Heather Knight and Dani Gibson whilst Emma Corney (knee) and Mollie Robbins (unavailable) will also miss the game.
A starting XI will be named from the following squad:
Somerset Men are without Migael Pretorius (pectoral) and Tom Lammonby (elbow) but Tom Abell returns to the squad.
A starting XI will be named from the list below:
VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Somerset Women’s Head Coach, Erin Osborne said: “Obviously, we’re all disappointed by the result at Trent Bridge. The performance certainly wasn’t a reflection of what this group is capable of and it wasn’t a true display of what our identity is as a team. We’ve had some good discussions about it and we move on to Sunday.
“We have a great opportunity to finish the season on a high with a good performance in front of a big crowd at Taunton and we owe it to the Members and supporters, and to ourselves, to do exactly that.”
Men’s Head Coach, Jason Kerr said: “Confidence comes and goes in sport and there’s a great feeling around the group at the moment after three really good team performances. We’re in a good position now and we know what we need to do. Nothing will change in terms of mindset and we’ll go out tomorrow, keep having fun out there and try to execute our skills. Hopefully, that will get us the right result.
“The atmosphere here is incredible and no one wants to come and play us at Taunton so hopefully we can use that to our advantage on Sunday.
“Things quickly change in sport and there were some harsh lessons that we were taught earlier in the competition, but I always knew there’s a huge amount of talent and ability in that dressing room. It was about trying to get the pieces in the right order and instil some confidence in the group. Now we’ve got an opportunity that we didn’t think we were going to have and we’re looking forward to it.”
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Vitality Blast Shirts Giveaway with Trade Nation Returns
As part of our ever-evolving partnership with Trade Nation, we gave Somerset Members and supporters the chance to receive a brand new 2026 Vitality Blast shirt as part of our new initiative entitled “Trade In, Trade Out” during our recent Vitality Blast matches.
Following the success of the initiative, we are delighted to be able to announce that “Trade In, Trade Out” will return tomorrow!
We know that every Somerset fan has a story that connects them to the Club or a favourite memory of supporting the team.
These stories are often powerful and emotive, but they are sometimes humorous too.
These are stories that need to be told and to encourage people to share their memories, Somerset CCC and Trade Nation are inviting Members and supporters to “Trade In, Trade Out.”
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!
Regarding the initiative, Emma Perry, Head of Fundraising at CHSW, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Wollens Solicitors and Somerset County Cricket Club for their fantastic support. The Wollens O-Zone Challenge is such a fun and creative way for players to help raise vital funds while doing what they love out on the pitch. Every run scored has the potential to make a real difference to the families we support, and we’re so thankful to everyone involved for getting behind this initiative.”
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.
NEXT MATCH
Somerset Women are next in action on Wednesday August 19th when we take on Essex at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford in the Metro Bank One Day Cup
Somerset Men’s next match is on Tuesday July 21st when we travel to The John Fretwell Centre, Sookholme to take on Notts Outlaws in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
Tickets for the match are on sale via the link below.
