Somerset suffered a last ball loss to table topping Surrey on Tuesday night, while Glamorgan inflicted a crushing eight wicket victory upon Middlesex. As we write this, Somerset sit in second place in the Southern Group and look like needing just two wins from their remaining four games to be certain of moving on to the quarter finals. Glamorgan are more precariously placed and will likely need to win all three of their remaining games to have a chance of doing likewise. Somerset will have played Hampshire on Thursday night, before making the trip up to Cardiff on Friday.
In the game played between these two sides at Taunton at the beginning of the month, Somerset ended up comfortable winners as they chased down an under-par target of 174 in just 14.1 overs, thanks to a dominant innings of 94 not out from Will Smeed, off 41 balls. Rilee Rossouw has been in devastating form since joining Somerset for the Blast and is currently the top scorer in the competition, with 443 runs and more importantly, a strike rate of a ridiculous 191.8! When you add in the Tom’s Banton and Able, they pose a formidable batting force, who are backed up by an experienced T20 bowling attack.
Glamorgan’s openers David Lloyd and Sam Northeast found form in the game against Middlesex this week, setting a new county partnership record in T20 cricket of 150 off just 71 balls. Northeast has been an excellent signing for Glamorgan in all formats and has been the rock around which much of Glamorgan’s successes this season have been built. They do not have quite the same bowling resources as Somerset, but Michael Neser has been ever-reliable, while Michael Hogan continues to defy father time. Glamorgan have also moved back to using spin in the powerplay in their last two games, with positive results.
Somerset will start as favourites, but Glamorgan will be fighting hard to stay in the competition.
Key players:
The Glamorgan bowlers will be hoping that when Rilee Rossouw comes to the crease his stay is a short one, otherwise Somerset will be well in the driving seat. He has not played for South Africa since 2016, having signed for Hampshire as a Kolpak player. Since then he has played in numerous franchise T20 competitions around the world.
Glamorgan opening batter and captain, David Lloyd has the potential to match Rossouw in fire power. He comes in at the top of the innings and will be throwing the bat at anything in his zone. Unfortunately he has not been as productive as he would have wished in this campaign, but if Glamorgan are to get the wins they need, he is likely to have played a key role.
Team News:
The same team will most likely take the field as battered Middlesex on Tuesday night. Chris Cooke is unlikely to be fit yet following his calf muscle injury..
Glamorgan squad (probable): David Lloyd (c), Tom Bevan, Eddie Byrom, Kiran Carlson, Dan Douthwaite, Michael Hogan, Alex Horton (wk), Colin Ingram, Jamie McIlroy, Michael Neser, Sam Northeast, Andrew Salter, Prem Sisodiya, James Weighell
Somerset will be without Jack Leach who is involved in this week’s Test match, but Craig Overton had been released and will be available to play.
Somerset squad (probable): Tom Abell (c), Kasey Aldridge, Tom Banton (wk), George Bartlett, Jack Brooks, Josh Davey, Lewis Goldsworthy, Ben Green, Lewis Gregory, Tom Lammonby, Craig Overton, Rilee Rossouw, Peter Siddle, Will Smeed, Roelof van der Merwe.
Weather and Conditions
The forecast is for a rather unsettled day so showers may affect the game. Hopefully conditions will not prevent a result being achieved.
Pitches at Sophia Gardens are not noted for their pace. The straight boundaries are usually shorter than those square of the wicket.
Date: 24th June 2022
Time: 6:30 pm
Ground: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Odds (SkyBet): Glamorgan 5/4 Somerset 4/7
