Vitality Blast Double Header Preview: Somerset v Hampshire Hawks
THE MATCHES
Somerset Men and Somerset Women are both in action in the Vitality Blast when they take on their Hampshire Hawks counterparts at the Cooper Associates County Ground tomorrow (Friday May 22nd).
Somerset Women will get the action underway at 2:30pm with Somerset Men taking to the field at 6:30pm in a repeat of last year’s dramatic final.
Tickets for this match are still available.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Gates will open at 1:30pm.
Please note that double headers are not included in 2025 Somerset Women Membership.
Please note that there will be no re-admittance after 5:30pm.
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.
Bag searches will be in operation which may increase the time it takes you to enter the venue.
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:
Ticket buyers can download their online tickets via their SCCC account. All ticket or Membership collections or queries will be managed at the Jack White Gates (St James Street).
The Club Reception Desk is now permanently based in the Reception of the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion.
Due to the busy nature of a matchday, our telephone lines will reopen at 10am on Tuesday May 26th.
Scorecards will be available from Reception in the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion. Completed scorecards can be downloaded after the match via the Membership section of this website.
SOMERSET LEISURE FAN VILLAGE
The Somerset Leisure Fan Village will be situated in the St James Street side of the Cooper Associates County Ground.
This will feature a wide range of food and drink plus live music from Big Hands Band between fixtures and during the men’s interval.
Matchday food and drink will also be available from the SCCC concessions and bars around the ground.
Friday will see the official opening of Joel’s!
Designed to offer fans a vibrant and relaxed atmosphere before, during and after the action on the field, Joel’s will become the newest hub of entertainment at the home of Somerset cricket. It is located behind Block Five of the Somerset Stand, near the Joel Garner Gates.
To celebrate the opening night, supporters can enjoy live DJ sets from BS8 Records before play, throughout the interval and after the match, helping to create a fantastic atmosphere for what promises to be a memorable evening under the lights.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
Both of the matches will be fully broadcast live on Sky Sports and will therefore not be available on the SCCC live stream.
You can also keep up to date by using our dedicated matchday blog via this website’s Match Centre and on our X feed.
A report on the day’s play will also be posted on this website.
THE OPPOSITION
HAMPSHIRE HAWKS WOMEN
Captain: Georgia Adams
Overseas players: Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia, all)
2025 finish: 6th
2025 leading run-scorer: Ella McCaughan (327)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Bex Tyson (16 wickets)
Key winter moves: Ellyse Perry might have brought star power last year, but her overseas replacement, Amanda-Jade Wellington, offers almost guaranteed game-changing moments. Freya Davies retired, and Mary Taylor decamped to Warwickshire, so there is more fast bowling pressure on Daisy Gibb and Poppy Tulloch to step up.
The big question: Can Ella McCaughan restart from where she left off? The opening batter was on course for an all-timer campaign by beginning with three fifties in a row before striking the women’s competition’s maiden century. A season-ending injury stopped the run-fest in its tracks. A full campaign of that quality will only increase talk of higher honours.
Wildcard watch: Francesca Sweet. When she signed in the winter, the hope was that all-rounder Sweet would fill a hole in the depleted bowling ranks. In the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, it has turned out that batting is her stronger suit. She has all the attributes to be a powerful finisher, which could turn matches in Hampshire’s favour and earn the attention of The Hundred recruiters.
Final thought: This year’s Blast is a difficult one to predict, with it coinciding with the T20 World Cup. The Hawks’ non-internationals look in a far better position than a year ago to compete at this level, especially with Naomi Dattani now fit, and youngsters becoming more consistent. Bettering their disappointing sixth-place finish shouldn’t be difficult, and they should be in the mix for a Finals Day place.
HAMPSHIRE HAWKS MEN
Captain: James Vince
Overseas players: Delano Potgieter (South Africa, until Tristan Stubbs arrives), Tristan Stubbs (South Africa, after IPL), Hilton Cartwright (Australia, all)
Finals Day appearances: 11 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025)
Titles: Three (2010, 2012, 2022)
2025 finish: Runners-up
2025 leading run-scorer: Toby Albert (633)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Scott Currie (27)
Key winter moves: Russell Domingo has replaced Adi Birrell in the head coach’s corner, while Benny Howell has departed to Notts Outlaws and semi-final hero Chris Lynn to Northamptonshire Steelbacks. South African middle-order blaster Tristan Stubbs will arrive once his IPL stint is done, likely after two matches, while Hilton Cartwright returns after a brief stint in 2025.
The big question: Can the Vitality Blast revitalise Hampshire’s season? The opening six matches in the Rothesay County Championship have been an unmitigated nightmare for the county. But in T20 cricket, the Hawks are a well-oiled machine, and the Blast’s arrival could jolt everything back into gear and rebuild the confidence of those who need a pick-me-up.
Wildcard watch: Toby Albert. Last year’s Vitality Blast top scorer was surprisingly overlooked at the Hundred Auction. Moved up to open, Albert piled on the runs with six half-centuries and was a key cog in the Hawks reaching the final. If he continues with his ramps, flicks, general power and tidy wicketkeeping, he will be a frontrunner for a Wildcard.
Final thought: Losing last year’s final hurt, but Hampshire haven’t been successful in the Blast by licking their wounds. They will be gunning for revenge and to become the first four-time champions. The squad, as ever, looks finely balanced. You know exactly what you are getting from James Vince, Chris Wood and Liam Dawson and the overseas players have good experience. The likes of Joe Weatherley, Scott Currie and Toby Albert know their roles, while Ben Mayes and Manny Lumsden are raw and ready if called upon.
TEAM NEWS
Somerset Women will be without Heather Knight, Charlie Dean and Dani Gibson (international duty). Emma Corney (knee) and Mollie Robbins (unavailable) will also miss the game.
A starting XI will be named from the following squad:
Somerset Men will be without Tom Kohler-Cadmore (thumb) and Riley Meredith (international duty) but Daniel Sams is in line to make his Somerset debut.
A starting XI will be named from the list below:
VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Somerset Women’s Head Coach, Erin Osborne said: “I’ve heard all about T20 games at the CACG, so I’m looking forward to it. We’re all looking forward to a change of format and the girls are excited about moving into T20 cricket. We’ve had a few losses on the trot, so I think a change in format will excite the group. In those losses we’ve been playing some good cricket, we’re just not doing it for long enough, so hopefully a shorter format sees us do it for long enough.
“There’s been lots of contributions from different players, particularly with the bat, and there’s still a good buzz around the group. I know that everyone is looking forward to playing at home. It feels like a while since we’ve been in Taunton, so we’re looking forward to playing in front of what will hopefully be a decent crowd.
“We want to back ourselves to play the way we want to play, and if we get it wrong, we get it wrong, but when we get it right, then it’s going to be really good to watch.”
On the eve of Somerset Men’s quest to retain the title, Head Coach, Jason Kerr said: “To get the campaign underway is really exciting especially because we’re at home in front of a full house. The weather’s supposed to be outstanding and there’s a lot of excitement in the group ahead tomorrow.
“We’ve only had a couple of days to prepare after a very challenging six-week block of championship cricket, but the lads’ attitude towards training has been excellent.
“Last year’s final was an incredible game, so hopefully tomorrow will be a great spectacle too. Obviously, we’re without Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Riley Meredith, so that’s meant there’s a couple of changes, but that presents a really exciting opportunity for some.”
We also caught up with Daniel Sams ahead of his Somerset debut:
TRADE NATION STATS
Ahead of our Vitality Blast matches this summer we will be be bringing you some amazing stats in partnership with Trade Nation.
CLASSIC MATCH
To get you in the mood for tomorrow’s men’s match let’s go back to 2025 and the final at Edgbaston that saw Somerset overcome Hampshire Hawks to lift the trophy for the second time in three years.
MATCH SPONSOR – WOLLENS
Wollens are one of SCCC’s Preferred Legal Partners.
With offices across Devon, the award-winning and carbon-neutral organisation has teams who specialise in their field of law, and with a mantra of ‘Full Spectrum Law’ they are able to offer a comprehensive and full array of legal services, including a Sports Law Division.
Wollens have strong links to the region and are one of the largest independent law firms in the South West, with exceptional specialists across private client matters as well as company and commercial law.
THE WOLLENS O-ZONE CHALLENGE!
Somerset County Cricket Club have teamed up with Wollens Solicitors to help raise money for Children’s Hospice South West in 2026.
If any player hits the ball through the “O” of the Wollens advertising board at the Cooper Associates County Ground this year, Wollens will donate £1 for every run that is scored in that innings!
VITALITY BLAST VOLUNTEERS
At all of our Vitality Blast matches, Somerset Cricket Foundation’s Super 1 disability cricket players will be volunteering their time to support the matchday experience by offering you a friendly welcome and helping give out 4 & 6 cards.
Lord’s Taverners Super 1s is all about creating opportunities on the field, but just as importantly providing valuable experiences off the field that help young people develop confidence and life skills for the future.
If you see them around the ground this evening, please do say hello and give them plenty of encouragement because they’re a little nervous, but very excited to be part of tonight’s match.
NEXT MATCH
Somerset Men and Women are next in action on Sunday (May 24th) when we take on our Warwickshire Bears counterparts at Edgbaston.
Tickets for this match are available now:
