The preseason news announcing Ben Green’s loan to Leicestershire and Roelof van der Merwe’s release caused little surprise, but Will Smeed’s U-turn raised a few eyebrows after he moved away from the professional red ball game to sign a white-ball only contract before the 2023 season. In fairness, it could prove irrelevant as Somerset have so many other options to bat in the top six in red ball cricket, he would act as reserve behind any of Lewis Goldsworthy, Andy Umeed and Sean Dickson. In fact, even Fin Hill and Thomas Rew may sit above him in the red ball ranks, so don’t expect this shock announcement to change much with only Tom Kohler-Cadmore currently due to play in the Pakistan Super League from the Somerset ranks.
The overseas signing of Matt Henry cannot be underestimated. Yes, any international fast bowler is particularly prone to injury due to the workload of the skill, but he has a pretty good injury record and his was a signature in demand for this summer.
Riley Meredith will not play red ball cricket; he barely has for Tasmania and has potential to be taken to the cleaners, as he surprisingly was by Leicestershire in the One-Day Cup semi-final. However, more T20 performances like he had at Lord’s in the Blast last year or in helping Hobart Hurricanes to their first Big Bash title in January can be particularly useful to Somerset.
Miggy Pretorius bolsters the bowling ranks. He is a dependable all-season and potentially all-format signing, able to perform a similar role to Kasey Aldridge. The seamers will rotate regularly and it may be that Pretorius plays more with the Dukes ball and Aldridge more with the Kookaburra, but so much of this will depend upon bowling injuries across the summer.
Key player
Read what you want into top-scoring in the Abu Dhabi T10 before Christmas and scoring two individual centuries in the IL20 in January (from number 3), but what Somerset fans are most excited about is Tom Banton’s red ball resurgence since his last international dabble. The image of him reverse sweeping Shakib for four on one leg last September and then hobbling out to celebrate that incredible win will long live in the memory of thousands all across the cricketing world. Regardless of his PSL involvement, Tom Kohler-Cadmore would be out of the reckoning for a Championship spot after his poor form last summer if all the squad are fit, so Banton is the guaranteed aggressor at five in red ball cricket this season, a role he will relish having clarity about.
One to watch
I had the pleasure of watching Thomas Rew and Archie Vaughan represent our country in the Under-19s matches v South Africa in Stellenbosch back in January. Both cemented the experienced heads they have on young shoulders and don’t forget Thomas Rew, like Farhan Ahmed, is younger again than the bulk of this squad who have become more household County Cricket names in recent summers.
Thomas has long been said to have a ‘higher ceiling’ than James, and the story of him wanting to net on Christmas Day ‘because nobody else will be’ has often been trotted out. His desire is there and the talent unquestionable. Expect him to get chances in 50 over cricket in August and to continue to develop in Somerset 2s, all his age group cricket and the West of England Premier League. He will be ready the second Jason Kerr believes he is ready to crack professional men’s cricket.
Ins and Outs
Overseas players: Matt Henry (New Zealand, 17 April-25 June), Riley Meredith (Australia, for T20 and possibly other formats), Migael Pretorius (South Africa)
Ins: Fin Hill (Academy)
Outs: Sonny Baker (Hampshire), Ned Leonard (Glamorgan), George Thomas (Sussex) Roelof van der Merwe (released), Ben Green (Leicestershire, loan until 26 May)
How will they fare
It is always hard to predict with Somerset, but after last year’s triple September heartbreaks, with it being the County Cricket Club’s 150th year and myself meant to miss the final game of the season for a wedding abroad, is it written in the stars that the Holy Grail is finally delivered this September?!
Opening fixture: CC v Worcestershire on April 4 at The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton
Likely opening Championship XI
- Dickson
- Vaughan
- Lammonby
- Abell
- Banton
- Rew (WK)
- Gregory
- Pretorius
- Overton
- Davey
- Leach
