Vitality Blast Preview: Lancashire Thunder v Somerset
THE MATCH
Somerset take on Lancashire Thunder at Emirates Old Trafford in the Vitality Blast tomorrow (Friday May 29th).
The action is due to get underway at 2:30pm.
Tickets for this match, which is part of a double header, are still available.
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 Lancashire 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 Ellie Threlkeld
Overseas player:Â Meg Lanning (Australia, full campaign)
2025 finish:Â 4th
2025 leading run-scorer:Â Emma Lamb (336)
2025 leading wicket-taker:Â Alana King, Tara Norris (16)
Key winter moves: Talk about statement signing, hey. Lancashire’s capture of Australian batting legend Meg Lanning is not only a boost for to the county’s hopes of Blast glory but also the county game in general. The best players in the world want to come and play here. Happy days. She replaces compatriot Alana King, the leg-spinner who was Thunder’s joint top wicket-taker last year.
The big question: Can Lancashire complete the set? Champions last year in both the Vitality County T20 Cup and then the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, this is the missing one they would love to put into the Emirates Old Trafford trophy cabinet. That they fell short of a place at Finals Day last year really stung a side who are hungry for sustained success.
Wildcard watch: Grace Johnson. Not an automatic pick in Thunder’s XI, but perhaps more likely given the impending absence of Scotland duo Ailsa Lister and Darcey Carter because of T20 World Cup duty. An Academy graduate who bowls seam and bats in the middle order, the now 21-year-old captained Lancashire’s U18s to two national titles in 2024.
Final thought: It certainly hasn’t been the start to the season Lancashire were wanting, with batting fragilities leaving them with an uphill task to defend their One-Day Cup title. They will be banking on Meg Lanning’s presence to really give that area of their team some oomph in the Blast. Friday July 10 looms as a historic day for the county as they host a televised T20 Roses double header at Emirates Old Trafford. The women open a blockbuster day with an afternoon clash against Yorkshire.
TEAM NEWS
Somerset 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 squad below:
VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
On the eve of the match, Head Coach, Erin Osborne said: “It’s been an unreal start to the competition and I’m really proud of how the group’s gone about committing to our brand of cricket. We understand that it’ll either come off or it won’t and that’s the beauty of T20 cricket.
“We’ve been really well led by Sophie at the top and I think we’ve really been able to unlock her. We’ve seen the intent that she’s playing with now and she’s such a clean striker so I’m just really happy that the public is getting to see this.
“Bex, Annie, Niamh, Liv, Lola, Griff, Skelts, they’re all playing their part, which is super pleasing. I think there’s still some areas to clean up but I’m super happy with us as a unit.
“Lancashire are a very good team with some high-quality players, and we can’t wait to get there and play in front of a decent crowd.”
NEXT MATCH
Somerset are next in action in the Vitality Blast when we take on Surrey at the Kia Oval on Sunday May 31st.
Tickets for this match, which is a double header, are still available
