Women’s Vitality Blast Preview: The Blaze v Somerset
THE MATCH
Somerset take on The Blaze at Trent Bridge in the Vitality Blast tomorrow (Friday July 10th).
Tickets for this match, which is part of a double header, are still available
Somerset are currently fifth in the Vitality Blast table with 23 points from 10 matches whilst The Blaze are fourth with 25 points from nine fixtures.
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 Nottinghamshire 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: Kirstie Gordon
Overseas players: Charli Knott (Australia, all)
2025 finish: Semi-finalists
2025 leading run-scorer: Georgia Elwiss (412)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Kathryn Bryce (17)
Key winter moves: The Blaze have signed talented Australia A all-rounder Charli Knott, who brings experience of the Women’s Premier League in India, the Women’s Big Bash and The Hundred, and hit five white-ball half-centuries for Hampshire Women last summer. Meanwhile, Emma Jones, formerly with Surrey, can provide useful runs in the middle order.
The big question: The Blaze, like others, will be depleted because of the clash with the Women’s T20 World Cup. They lose England’s Amy Jones and Nat Sciver-Brunt and Ireland’s Orla Prendergast, although it may be the unavailability of their three Scots, Kathryn and Sarah Bryce and Blaze skipper Kirstie Gordon, that is the most keenly felt. Can those left step up a level?
Wildcard watch: United States international Ella Claridge, whose country missed out on qualification for the T20 World Cup, has a chance to make her presence felt in the Vitality Blast. The 24-year-old wicketkeeper batter will carry some responsibility in the absence of Scotland’s Sarah Bryce and England’s Amy Jones but has proved before that she can rise to the challenge under pressure.
Final thought: Even stripped of six internationals, The Blaze still have the capacity to mount a challenge for silverware. Marie Kelly, a very capable top-order batter and excellent fielder, will captain the side, with experienced England batter Tammy Beaumont as a sounding board as well as a key source of runs. Charley Phillips, Grace Ballinger and Cassidy McCarthy are three top-notch seamers, while former England all-rounder Georgia Elwiss has enjoyed a couple of outstanding seasons with bat and ball.
TEAM NEWS
Somerset will be without Heather Knight and Dani Gibson whilst Emma Corney (knee) and Mollie Robbins (unavailable) will also miss the game. However, Charlie Dean returns to the squad.
A starting XI will be named from the following squad:
VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Somerset Head Coach, Erin Osborne said: “It was a great result in Chelmsford. We got ourselves into a little bit of trouble, but getting back into the match was really pleasing to see. I think everyone played their role and tried to go in and impact the game, and it was a pretty special innings from Niamh Holland to get us over the line. She’s been one of our key players with the bat, the ball and in the field, and I think having the experience with the England A team has boosted her confidence a little bit.
“I think one of our strengths is our connection, and we genuinely care for each other and want each other to do really well. It’s what we’ve been doing all year. Whether we win or lose, we celebrate each other’s success and there’s a great feeling amongst the group at the moment. There’s a belief that we can win games of cricket, and that we can win from any position. We’re confident leading into tomorrow’s game and we understand that we’re going to have to play really well again, but there’s evidence to suggest that we’re more than capable of doing that.
“The Blaze are a quality team, so we know we’re going to have to play some really good cricket and whoever handles the pressure the best will come away with the points.”
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you are planning to attend the match, all the information you need can be found on the official Nottinghamshire CCC Website.
NEXT MATCH
Somerset are next in action in the Vitality Blast when we take on Essex at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton on Sunday (July 12th).
Tickets for this match, which is part of a double header, are still available
