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Vitality Blast Semi-Final Preview: Somerset v Surrey
THE MATCH
Somerset take on Surrey in the second Vitality Blast semi-final at Edgbaston tomorrow (Saturday July 15th).
Play is due to get underway at 2:30pm.
The first semi-final between Essex Eagles and Hampshire Hawks will begin at 11am.
The winners of the two semi-finals will face each other in the final at 6:45pm.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
If you are attending Finals Day, everything that you need to know can be found below in the Official Finals Day Visitors Guide.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
You can keep up to date with a live blog via our dedicated Match Centre and on our Twitter feed.
In addition to this, a report on the match will be posted on this website.
Finals Day is being broadcast live on Sky Sports so there will be no live stream.
THE OPPOSITION
SURREY
Captain: Chris Jordan
Overseas players: Sunil Narine (West Indies), Sean Abbott (Australia)
Finals Day appearances: 7
Titles: 1 (2003)
2022 finish: Quarter-finals
2022 leading run-scorer: Will Jacks (449)
2022 leading wicket-taker: Chris Jordan (17)
2023 season so far
2023 leading run scorer: Laurie Evans (563 runs)
2023 leading wicket taker: Sunil Narine (20 wickets)
TEAM NEWS
Roelof van der Merwe returns to the squad following hand injuries and will face a late fitness test.
The starting XI will be picked from the following squad:
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Head Coach, Jason Kerr said: “As a group, I think we’re more confident than we’ve ever been. We’ve played some outstanding T20 cricket, both home and away, on different surfaces. We’ve been under pressure at times and come through, which has been great to see.
“Surrey are a side full of internationals, and there are no easy games. We beat them away and we should have beaten them at home. Should have is all very well in hindsight though.
“Every time you put yourself in to the position to win a trophy you learn lessons regardless of the result, and we’re excited about the opportunity that Saturday presents. Lifting the trophy would mean a hell of a lot. We also know what it would mean for the Members and supporters.”
Ben Green, the competition’s leading wicket taker added: “Hopefully, it will be third time lucky. Finals Day is always a great day but an unpredictable day. We’ve trained well this week and the preparation has been good, and we’ve got great momentum coming into the semi-final.
“As long as we back ourselves and be brave I think we’ve got every chance. This year everyone has put in match winning performances and that gives us real confidence.”
CLASSIC MATCH
We head back to June 30th this year for today’s classic match.
It was the last time that the two sides met in T20 cricket, and it was a game that saw Somerset come out on top at the Oval by 18 runs.
FINALS DAY FAQS
If you’re heading for Finals Day, here is a link to everything that you need to know:
PROFESSIONAL CRICKETERS’ TRUST
The Professional Cricketers’ Trust is set to celebrate the biggest day in the county calendar while highlighting the life-changing work of the charity at Edgbaston on Saturday.
The Trust was created to support the health and wellbeing of PCA members who have entertained cricket supporters over the years on the pitch for when they are in desperate need for help.
With the Trust taking centre stage for Finals Day, awareness of the small charity will be raised with the aim to create funds to continue its work in being a vital support mechanism for crickets biggest assets, its players.
The Trust’s work is all encompassing, whether it be for unforeseen physical or mental needs. In 2022 alone, the Trust supported 104 individuals with mental health problems, taking the total since 2015 to 630.
Supporters can also donate via texting TRUSTTEN or TRUSTTWENTY to 70085 to donate £10 or £20 or visiting our JustGiving page.
