Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast, form, prediction and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the LV= Insurance County Championship...
Fixture: Somerset v Hampshire
Venue: Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton
Dates: Thursday, June 3, 2021 - Sunday, June 6, 2021
Start time: 11am
What's the lowdown?
After Surrey’s victory over Gloucestershire in the last round, Somerset will be looking over their shoulders in this tightly contested league. Just six points splits the top three sides, with opponents Hampshire lurking in the shadows, 13 points from the top spot.
Only three rounds of fixtures remain, which means that whoever comes out of this game victorious will leave themselves in prime position to progress into Division one and fight for the Championship title.
Somerset will be keen to get their season back on track, after their last two fixtures were rained off with little cricket being possible. They did however manage to stamp their authority on league leaders Gloucestershire, declaring on 300 for 8 and reducing them to 27 for 6 before rain saved the day.
Hampshire continue to be tumultuous, showing signs of excellence and disaster throughout the campaign. They desperately need to find some form with the bat again, especially coming into a game against Somerset’s quality seam attack.
Who's in form?
Somerset will be without Craig Overton, whoss welcome return to the England set-up makes him unavailable. However, they do have excellent strength in depth and still boast a number of excellent seamers, none better than Josh Davey (22 wickets at 16.77) and all-rounder Lewis Gregory (18 wickets at 30.61).
Somerset are a dominant force with the ball, but captain Tom Abell has been exceptional with the willow this season, registering 529 runs at 66.12, the third-highest average across all divisions. He has been galvanised by his leadership role in recent times and continues to show his class this season.
Hampshire couldn’t have started better with the bat, but in the last few rounds, they have really struggled to put together the weight of runs needed to beat a side like Somerset. Ian Holland has been their most consistent performer, scoring 502 runs at 50.20, with two hundreds and two fifties.
They also have two excellent exponents of the new ball in Mohammed Abbas and Kyle Abbott. They share 935 first-class wickets between them and this season have been as dangerous as ever. Abbott (33 wickets at 16.51) and Abbas (27 wickets at 15.96).
Last five first-class matches (most recent first)
Somerset: DDWWW
Hampshire: DWLLD
Head-to-head first-class record
Total matches: 214
Somerset wins: 56
Hampshire wins: 71
Draws: 84
Abandoned: 3
What's the team news?
Somerset: The hosts are without England duo Craig Overton and Jack Leach, forcing them to bring in replacements Kasey Aldridge and Jack Brooks. They have also chosen to rest Tom Lammonby for this fixture, meaning that Tom Banton returns.
Squad: Tom Abell (c), Kasey Aldridge, Tom Banton, George Bartlett, Jack Brooks, Eddie Byrom, Josh Davey, Steve Davies+, Marchant de Lange, Lewis Goldsworthy, Lewis Gregory, James Hildreth and Roelof van der Merwe.
Hampshire: Mohammad Abbas has returned to Pakistan has is the only one of last week's XI to miss the trip to Taunton. The remaining 10 are joined by Mason Crane, Felix Organ and Cameron Steel in the 13-strong group.
Squad: James Vince, Lewis McManus, Kyle Abbott, Cameron Steel, Tom Alsop, Joe Weatherley, Keith Barker, Brad Wheal, Liam Dawson, Sam Northeast, Ian Holland, Mason Crane, Felix Organ
Latest Somerset news: Click here
Latest Hampshire news: Click here
Who said what?
Somerset coach Jason Kerr believes his side have been re-energised by a week off and the prospect of fans returning to Taunton.
"We had a break last week, so the guys are all refreshed and they’re extremely excited by the prospect of playing in front of our members," he insisted.
"We will get a huge buzz from that. You can feel the anticipation around the place ahead of tomorrow and that’s really exciting.
"To play in front of such a passionate and knowledgeable crowd is something that we have missed so much. Crowds make a huge difference and we never take the support that we get for granted."
What's the weather forecast?
It’s a little cooler in Somerset than the rest of the country, with a high of 18 degrees across the four days. There is no rain predicted which means a result is likely in this highly important clash.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Taunton: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream: Information to come.
All LV= County Championship matches are also available via the ECB's central hub: Click here
The matches can also be viewed on mobile via the ECB app.
Radio: BBC Local Radio and the BBC Sport website will carry ball-by-ball radio commentary of the game.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and daily updates from every LV= County Championship match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Going to the game?
Tickets
Tickets are only available for members until the easing of further Covid-19 restrictions on June 21.
Travel
Address: Somerset County Cricket Club, St James St, Taunton TA1 1JT
By car
From the north
From the M5, exit at junction 25 and take the A358 Exit to Taunton/ Yeovil. At the roundabout, take the second exit (south) or third exit (north) onto the A358 heading to Taunton/A38/ Minehead, continuing straight onto Toneway/A358. At the next roundabout, take the second exit onto Priory Avenue and the Cooper Associates County Ground will be on your left.
From the south
Exit the M5 at junction 26 towards Wellington/Taunton/A38 and follow the A38 to the ground.
From the east
Follow the A303 to Southfields roundabout and take the fourth exit onto the A358. Take the third exit at the first roundabout and the first exit at the second roundabout, following signs for A358. At the third roundabout go straight over on Priory Avenue and the ground will be on your left.
From the west
Exit the M5 at junction 26 towards Wellington/Taunton/A38 and follow the A38 to the ground.
By bus: Taunton Bus Station is a five-minute walk from the Cooper Associates County Ground. As you leave the station, turn left onto Castle Green. Turn left at Fat Face and walk down to Debenhams before turning right into St James Street and the ground will appear on your left.
By train: Taunton Train Station is a ten minute walk from the Cooper Associates County Ground. As you leave the station, turn left into Station Road, heading towards the Town Centre. Turn left onto Priory Bridge Road, and the ground will be on your right.
Prediction?
In the battle of the supreme bowlers, Hampshire look to have the edge. However, their batting frailties could prove to be their downfall if they struggle to post a competitive total. On their home ground Somerset will be too strong. Somerset win.
OTHER ROUND NINE PREVIEWS
Group 1
Group 2
Leicestershire v Gloucestershire
Group 3
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