Vitality Blast Preview: Surrey v Somerset

Vitality Blast Preview: Surrey v Somerset

THE MATCH

Somerset travel to the Kia Oval tomorrow (June 2nd) to take on Surrey in the Vitality Blast.

This match is a double header fixture.

South East Stars face Southern Viper from 1:30pm whilst play is due to get underway between Surrey and Somerset at 6pm.

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. A live stream will be available on the Match Centre, courtesy of Surrey CCC.

MATCH CENTRE

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

THE OPPOSITION

Captain: Chris Jordan
Overseas players: Sean Abbott (Australia), Spencer Johnson (Australia) – both available for first eight matches.
Finals Day appearances: Eight (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2013, 2014, 2020, 2023)
Titles: One (2003)
2023 finish: Semi-finals
2023 leading run-scorer: Laurie Evans (563)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Sunil Narine (20)

Key winter moves: Surrey have pulled off something of a coup by signing the exciting Australian international left-arm quick Spencer Johnson, for the first eight group games. Johnson grabbed English audiences’ attention when he took an extraordinary 3 for 1 in 20 balls in last summer’s The Hundred, for Oval Invincibles against Manchester Originals.

The big question: A significant monkey on Surrey’s back is the constant reminder that their only previous T20 triumph came under Adam Hollioake’s captaincy in the inaugural tournament way back in 2003, despite eight appearances overall at Finals Day. Last year they were beaten by 24 runs in the semi-final by eventual winners Somerset.

Wildcard watch: You might describe him more as a forgotten man of English cricket, rather than a wildcard, but Jason Roy will be desperate to remind everyone of his world-class top-order hitting powers in the eight group matches he plays before departing for Major League Cricket in the USA. Expect early fireworks from Roy.

Final thought: This year’s Blast is another big test of the Surrey squad’s famed strength in depth. With four players initially away at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup – skipper Chris Jordan, all-rounders Sam Curran and Will Jacks, plus paceman Reece Topley – other major talents like Roy, Ollie Pope, Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Tom Curran and Dan Worrall will be expected to step up into on-field leadership roles until the England quartet return for the later group games in July.

TEAM NEWS

Somerset have named an unchanged squad of 13 for this fixture: Lewis Gregory, Will Smeed, Tom Banton, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Abell, Tom Lammonby, Sean Dickson, Ben Green, Craig Overton, Roelof van der Merwe, Josh Davey, Riley Meredith and Jake Ball.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Ahead of the match, Captain Lewis Gregory said: “Surrey are always a tough team to beat because they’ve got quality throughout their squad. We’re going to really have to be on our game on Sunday to come out on the right side against them.

“Our guys are confident after starting the campaign off with a win over Essex. Friday night was amazing and hopefully we can ride than momentum into Sunday and keep on improving.”