Vitality Blast Preview: Yorkshire v Somerset
THE MATCH
Somerset take on Yorkshire at Headingley in the Vitality Blast tomorrow (Friday July 3rd).
The action is due to get underway at 2:30pm.
Tickets for this match, which is part of a double header, are still available.
Somerset are currently fifth in the Vitality Blast table with 19 points from eight fixtures whilst Yorkshire are ninth with two points from the same number of matches.
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 Yorkshire 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
Captain:Â Lauren Winfield-Hill
Overseas player:Â Jess Jonassen (Australia, all)
2025 finish:Â Finalists, Tier 2
2025 leading run-scorer:Â Georgie Boyce (288)
2025 leading wicket-taker:Â Ria Fackrell (16)
Key winter moves: Yorkshire have signed two international spin-bowling all-rounders in England’s Sarah Glenn and Australia’s Jess Jonassen. Both add quality and know-how to a largely inexperienced squad looking to make the step up to Tier 1 having impressed in last year’s Tier 2 Blast when they were beaten finalists against Middlesex. In all, they won nine of 10 matches in that competition.
The big question: Can they stand some absence through the middle phase of the season because of the T20 World Cup being played in England? Sterre Kalis and Rachel Slater will be missing a good chunk of matches due to Netherlands and Scotland duty. It’s far from ideal for coach Rich Pyrah, who isn’t blessed with a deep squad.
Wildcard watch: Ines Blackwell. Yorkshire’s Academy all-rounder turns 17 on May 30. She’s very highly rated by the White Rose hierarchy, as indicated by her being a regular fixture in the team through the early-season One-Day Cup block. A middle-order batter and a medium-pace, in-swing bowler, she is an ‘old head on young shoulders’ character. In a ODC tie against Durham, she even pulled Lauren Filer for six.
Final thought: Yorkshire’s start to life in Tier 1 has been a real mixed bag. They have played some brilliant cricket and even beat defending One-Day Cup champions Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford. But they have also let some victories slip through their grasp. They won two of their first four matches and potentially should have won all four. Countless run outs and a lack of tail-end runs has hurt them. If they are going to progress quickly, they need to wise up.
TEAM NEWS
Somerset will be without Heather Knight, Charlie Dean, Dani Gibson and Chloe Skelton (international duty). Emma Corney (knee) and Mollie Robbins (unavailable) will also miss the game.
A starting XI will be named from the squad below:
VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Somerset Head Coach, Erin Osborne said: “We’re disappointed with how we did against Surrey. I thought we started the power play really well and just lost our way a bit there in the middle. Having said that, there were still a number of positives to come from that game, and we go to Leeds with lots of confidence knowing that we’ve had a little bit of success over them. The mood in the dressing room is really positive and the group are in a really good place.
“Yorkshire are a good team, and we know that we’re going to have to play well, but I feel like we’re in a good position to do that. Where they are in the table at the moment isn’t a fair representation of the quality of their team, so they’ll definitely have a point to prove. That makes them a dangerous team to play so we’re going to have to be well prepared. We know we’re going to have to play some good cricket especially on their home ground but we’re looking forward to it.”
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you are planning to attend the match, all the information you need can be found on the official Yorkshire CCC Website.
NEXT MATCH
Somerset are next in action in the Vitality Blast when we take on Essex at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford on Tuesday July 7th.
Tickets for this match are still available
