Friday marks another historic day in the Club’s storied history of over 180 years as both Surrey teams take on Somerset in the Vitality Blast at Taunton.
Surrey’s new fully professional women’s side will take on Somerset in their first-ever Vitality Blast match at 2:30 pm, before Sam Curran leads Surrey’s men out for the first time as permanent skipper at 6:30 pm.
Both matches will be available to watch via Somerset’s live stream, with a link posted on the Surrey Match Centre and Surrey’s social media channels.
A written report and highlights will be published at the end of each match, with regular updates and video clips available on Surrey’s social media channels.
SQUAD NEWS
Surrey Women
Alice Davidson-Richards, Alice Capsey and Sophia Dunkley are unavailable due to their participation in England’s ODI series with the West Indies.
Surrey Men
Dan Lawrence remains sidelined with an injury. Will Jacks, Jamie Overton and Jamie Smith are part of England’s white-ball squad for the West Indies series. Gus Atkinson – who was originally meant to be part of England’s white-ball squad for the West Indies series, is sidelined due to a right hamstring strain.
Reece Topley and Mitch Santner are still with Mumbai Indians in the IPL play-offs.
SOMERSET WOMEN
Previewed by Andy Stockhausen, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay
Captain: Sophie Luff
Overseas players: Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia, full competition)
Key winter moves: Seam bowlers Laura Jackson and Ellie Anderson have been recruited to provide a cutting edge with the new ball, while England international spinning all-rounder Charlie Dean was brought in to add star quality. Perhaps more significantly, the services of Australian leg spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington, a proven match-winner at this level, were secured for a second season.
The big question: Although competitive for the most part in their previous guise as Western Storm, a relatively inexperienced side tended to come up just short in close matches. Can this revamped Somerset squad improve on that record and demonstrate the knowhow needed to challenge for the latter stages?
Wildcard watch: Alex Griffiths. Thrust into the role vacated by the injured Dani Gibson, the talented Welsh all-rounder is ready to realise her full potential. Adept at bowling seam up under pressure during the death overs, she now possesses the range of shots and confidence required to be an effective finisher with the bat.
Final thought: A series of shrewd signings and the availability of their international players has transformed erstwhile strugglers into more consistent performers in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup this season. Confidence and momentum gained from a series of impressive victories in the 50-over competition can now be harnessed to render Somerset competitive in the short format. As ever, much will depend on the form of overseas star Amanda-Jade Wellington and the availability of England pair Heather Knight and Charlie Dean.
SOMERSET MEN
Previewed by Richard Latham, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay
Captain: Lewis Gregory
Overseas players: Riley Meredith (Australia, full competition), Matt Henry (New Zealand, first 11 group matches)
Finals Day appearances: 10 (2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Titles: Two (2005, 2023)
2024 finish: Runners-up
2024 leading run-scorer: Tom Banton (515)
2024 leading wicket-taker: Ben Green (21)
Key winter moves: Australia T20 international pace bowler Riley Meredith was signed to replace Kiwi Matt Henry last season. Now both have been recruited to form an exciting new-ball partnership, which promises to be as potent as any in the Blast, with Craig Overton as an accomplished back-up.
The big question: Can the likes of Will Smeed and Tom Kohler-Cadmore hit the ground running with their powerful stroke play, without the benefit of some red-ball cricket behind them this summer? The hugely talented Smeed averaged only 21 in last year’s Blast and needs to reestablish himself as a destroyer at the top of the order.
Wildcard watch: Lewis Goldsworthy has not featured in Championship cricket for Somerset this season, but his ability as a spinner allied to his prowess with the bat could make him a candidate to replace Roelof van der Merwe, whose Somerset T20 career has ended after two impressive spells with the club.
Final thought: The burning memory of a shock defeat by arch-rivals Gloucestershire in last year’s Blast final should be all the incentive Somerset need to drive them to another Finals Day with a team that looks stronger in the bowling department than last season and equally explosive with the bat.
