Surrey take on Somerset in their first rematch of the season as they look to make right their loss from their previous defeat.
Surrey will take on Somerset at the Cooper Associates ground tomorrow where play will begin at 10.30am.
Surrey Squad
Phoebe Franklin returns to this week’s squad making it 14 strong for the journey to the South West.
How can I keep up with play?
The match will be broadcast live on Somerset’s YouTube channel with a link posted in the Surrey Match Centre and social media channels.
Surrey Cricket’s social media channels will provide live updates from the ground, with clips and highlights posted throughout the day. A written report and highlights will be available at the end of play.
Last time out
This is the first time Surrey are matching up with a team they’ve already faced this season, adding a layer of excitement to the disappointment left behind when Somerset walked away with the win in their last meeting.
In the opening game of the season, Somerset made the journey to Beckenham to face Surrey and were met with some less-than ideal conditions. Cold winds and prolonged rain showers meant play was stopped after 2.3 overs. With Bryony Smith’s wicket in hand, Somerset looked as though they might be in control of the innings when they returned to play. Yet strong work with the bat from Alice Capsey, Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Alice Davidson-Richards were defiant in their stance and posted a respectable 243.
Thanks to DLS, Somersets target was reduced to 237 and despite Surrey’s defence, a remarkable knock from Amanda-Jade Wellington saw the visiting team over the line. Needing 37 runs from the last three overs, the pressure was on for the overseas. Making quick work of it, Wellington hit six out of her seven balls for four taking the game down to the last ball where Fran Willson, needing one from one, pulled the ball through to cow for four.
A frustrating loss means Surrey will now look to return the favour to Somerset at their home ground and earn themselves the win they deserve.
Somerset
Previewed by Andrew Stockhausen – ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay
Coach: Trevor Griffin
Captain: Sophie Luff
The big questions: It remains to be seen how Somerset cope without the outgoing Sophia Smale, Lauren Filer and Nat Wraith, while the availability of England players Heather Knight, Charlie Dean and Dani Gibson could prove the difference between success and failure. Can new signings Laura Jackson and Ellie Anderson successfully plug the gaps?
Player to watch: Amanda-Jade Wellington. The Australian leg spinner is back and determined to improve upon last year’s standout debut season in England. Capable of turning it both ways, she is difficult to score against and has a habit of taking crucial wickets. An adept finisher, she can also be a matchwinner with the bat.
Young gun: Katie Jones. Long considered a precocious talent, the teenage wicketkeeper-batter is ready to realise her potential and establish herself as a regular in the senior side. Capable of scoring valuable mid-order runs, she helped England reach the ICC Under-19 T20 World Cup semi-finals in Malaysia last winter.
Final thought: Littered with international quality, a full-strength Somerset line-up would prove a match for all comers. That said, England call-ups will sap that strength and attaining the consistency of performance required to challenge will be dependent upon less experienced squad members stepping up to the plate. Youthful talent undoubtedly excites, but a lack of depth may hinder West Country prospects.
Squad: Heather Knight, Emma Corney, Sophie Luff, Fran Wilson, Rebecca Odgers, Charlie Dean, Dani Gibson, Alex Griffiths, Niamh Holland, Amelie Munday, Erin Vukusic, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Olivia Barnes, Katie Jones, Jess Hazell, Laura Jackson, Lola Harris, Chloe Skelton, Mollie Robbins, Ellie Anderson.
