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Vitality Blast Preview: Somerset v Hampshire Hawks
THE MATCH
Somerset welcome Hampshire Hawks to the Cooper Associates County Ground in the Vitality Blast tomorrow (Sunday June 9th).
Gates open at 12:30pm with play due to start at 2:30pm.
A limited number of tickets for this match are still available.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Bag searches will be in operation and 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:
Members and supporters are not permitted to bring alcohol into Vitality Blast fixtures.
Ticket buyers can download their online tickets via their SCCC account.
All ticket or Membership collections will be from the Jack White Gates (St James Street).
The Club Enquiries Desk will be based in the Reception of the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion and not in the Andrew Caddick Pavilion on matchdays.
Due to the busy nature of a matchday, our telephone lines will reopen at 10am on Monday June 10th.
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.
Scorecards will be available from Reception in the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion. Completed scorecards can now be downloaded after the match via the Membership section of this website.
FAN VILLAGE & CATERING
We will once again be hosting our fan village in the St James Street side of the Cooper Associates County Ground.
The fan village will once again feature a wide range of food and drink plus live music before the match and during the interval.
Matchday food and drink will be available from the SCCC concessions and bars around the ground.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
Our live stream will once again be available for fans to watch via this website and at our YouTube channel.
You can also keep up to date using our dedicated matchday blog via this website’s Match Centre and on our X feed.
In association with Vertu Motors, Somerset County Cricket Club will be providing radio ear pieces to enable Members and supporters to enjoy our live ball-by-ball match commentary. These will be available to purchase from Reception in the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion at a cost of £12 and these will last all season.
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
THE OPPOSITION
Captain: James Vince
Overseas players: Ben McDermott (Australia), Michael Neser (Australia, first eight matches), Ottniel Baartman (South African, last six matches and knockouts)
Finals Day appearances: Ten (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Titles: Three (2010, 2012, 2022)
2023 finish: Semi-finals
2023 leading runscorer: James Vince (670)
2023 leading wicket taker: Nathan Ellis (23)
Key winter moves: Nathan Ellis hasn’t been retained despite two glorious seasons, instead seamers Michael Neser and Ottniel Baartman – a two-time SA20 champion under Adi Birrell – share his place. Domestically, Ali Orr is in, Ross Whiteley and Aneurin Donald are out, while Scott Currie and Mason Crane are away on loan for now.
The big question: Can John Turner hit the same heights as last season? The uber-quick bowler began with a double wicket maiden, took 21 wickets at an average of 11.76 and an economy of 6.67, and ended with an England contract. Injuries have restricted him to three first-team matches since Finals Day though.
Wildcard watch: Joe Weatherley has more middle-order Blast runs than anyone since 2021, but hasn’t been kept on by the Southern Brave after two years of mostly carrying drinks. He could be a shrewd Vitality Wildcard pick, as could Chris Wood’s experience and Brad Wheal’s pace.
Final thought: The Hawks know how to get to Finals Day, and an 11th appearance, which would be a fourth in a row, is certainly the minimum requirement. There are deep depths to the batting – a run of Dawson, Howell, Fuller, Neser from six to nine is opulent, especially after Vince up top – and the bowlers have all bases covered, especially with the dynamic quick attack.
TEAM NEWS
Riley Meredith and Josh Davey return to the squad for this fixture.
Somerset have named the following squad for this fixture: Lewis Gregory, Will Smeed, Tom Banton, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Abell, Sean Dickson, Tom Lammonby, Roelof van der Merwe, Ben Green, Craig Overton, Josh Davey, Jack Leach, Riley Meredith, Jake Ball and Sonny Baker
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
On the eve of the game, Somerset Head Coach, Jason Kerr said: “We saw on the first game of the competition how special it is to play at home. There was an incredible atmosphere against Essex and hopefully we will see more of that on Sunday. Everyone always looks forward to home Blast matches and there’s always a real sense of excitement in the build up to those games. It brings an energy to the dressing room and people want to showcase their skills in front of what is a tremendously knowledgeable and energetic crowd. I’ve said it many times before, but it’s true. We are incredibly fortunate to be so well supported.
“Hampshire are a good side and we’ve had some great battles with them over the last few years. They’re an incredibly competitive team, who are well led and we will need to be at our best. I’m sure that they will have looked at what they perceive to be our strengths and weaknesses and they will be an incredibly tough opponent, but if we bring our A game then no one can touch us.”
TRADE NATION STAT
THE COOPER ASSOCIATES KEY PLAYER MATCH UP
CLASSIC MATCH
The two sides have played out a number of classic matches in T20 cricket over the years, but it doesn’t get much more dramatic than when the two sides met in the 2021 Vitality Blast semi-final at Edgbaston.
As the game entered it’s last stages, only the staunchest Somerset supporter would have given their side a chance of coming out on top, but some incredible performances with the bat from the Somerset tail saw the side from the West Country advance to the final in thrilling style.
MATCH SPONSOR – SOUTH WEST CLEANING EQUIPMENT
Founded in 2017 and located in Marsh Barton Exeter, South West Cleaning Equipment have a wealth of knowledge to advise you on the correct solution for your cleaning requirements.
They supply the complete range of Kärcher products, from pressure washers, steam cleaners & vacuums to scrubber dryers, window cleaners & sweepers, complemented by a selection of cleaning chemicals & Kärcher spares & batteries.
SWCE also offer hire equipment and have a dedicated engineering team offering a fantastic service for your machines.
THE VERTU MOTORS CROWD CATCH!
In partnership with Vertu Motors, we have launched a new competition for the 2024 Vitality Blast season.
As well as enjoying the spectacular action of this season’s Blast, you can be a part of it with the Vertu Motors Crowd Catch!
If you take a clean catch in the crowd during any of our Home Vitality Blast matches, you will win hospitality for two to our Metro Bank One Day Cup match against Kent Spitfires at the Cooper Associates County Ground on Friday July 26th.
In order to qualify for the prize, the official in-play match ball must be caught by the winner straight from the air without having touched any object or person before being caught by the winner. Evidence of identity, ticket and age may be required.
NEXT MATCH
Our next match is on Tuesday June 11th when we take on Middlesex in the Vitality Blast at Lord’s.
Tickets for this match are still available.
The next match at the Cooper Associates County Ground is on Friday June 14th when we take on Kent Spitfires in the Vitality Blast.
Tickets for this match are available now:
