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 Vitality Blast...
Fixture: Gloucestershire v Somerset
Venue: County Ground, Bristol
Date: Thursday, July 1, 2021
Start time: 6:15pm
What’s the lowdown?
Two hard-hitting sides sitting in the top half in the South Group table go head-to-head at Nevil Road. It's an important fixture with the visitors knowing they sit just three points behind Kent, while the hosts will want to keep up on the pressure for a top-four spot. Both sides are coming off a solid run of form, and despite being the away side, Somerset will fancy their chances at taking the points off their county neighbours.
The visitors have taken 10 points from their last seven games, which includes two washouts. Their last outing at Chelmsford saw them lose to Essex Eagles in a DLS-affected match, but that ended a run of three consecutive victories - including, most importantly, a convincing win against the Spitfires.
Lewis Gregory's side chased down the hosts' 168 with more than three overs to spare in their last full match - form they'll be keen to replicate in Bristol.
As for Gloucestershire, there will be confidence that they can see off their guests with their crowd behind them. The hosts have won their last three games, their last fixture on home turf a dominating batting performance against Glamorgan, setting a target of 216 that, despite a respectable effort from their opponents, was too much to chase down.
They've managed to climb two places in the last two calendar weeks in the table, and given their recent form with the bat, the stage is set for an entertaining evening of cricket.
Who’s in form?
Glenn Phillips has been in outstanding form for Gloucestershire. The 24 year-old has scored exactly 94 runs in each of his last two innings - earning himself the man of the match award in both. The New Zealand international has unsurprisingly leapt to the head of the top runscorers' table this season. He's now pushed his average up to 90, the current highest in the competition.
Gloucestershire admittedly haven't produced a single stand-out wicket taker so far in the Blast - with Benny Howell's 10 so far the highest for his side. The allrounder registered two dismissals last time out versus against Glamorgan, while also adding a half-century with the bat as his side set an unassailable total. Somerset will also be aware of the threat posed by the left-arm seamer David Payne, who dismissed Marnus Labuschagne last week.
Somerset are also laden with attacking prowess, though they will now be without their wicketkeeper and opener Tom Banton. A rapid-fire 107 off just 51 balls helped his side to chase down the Spitfires' total with ease two matches ago, and the New Zealand opener Devon Conway added a half-century (albeit a much slower pace) to take his side to victory without the loss of a wicket - followed by another 53 in their weather-affected defeat by Essex Eagles.
Craig Overton, the England international, will have his hopes set on restricting the Gloucestershire run rate. His overs have come at a cost of 7.52 so far in the Blast, including six wickets. His teammate Lewis Gregory has had a good run of form: though he failed to take any wickets in his side's last game, he returned excellent numbers of 4-27 at Canterbury last week. Both experienced players, they will have their eyes firmly set on the key wickets of Phillips and Howell.
What’s the team news?
Gloucestershire have named a 14-strong squad for the clash, adding David Payne to the group that faced Sussex,
Gloucestershire squad: Miles Hammond, Chris Dent, James Bracey, Glenn Phillips, Jack Taylor, Ryan Higgins, Benny Howell, Graeme van Buuren, Tom Smith, David Payne, Matt Taylor, George Scott, Josh Shaw, Dan Worrall
Somerset are without Roelof van der Merwe (side strain) and Tom Abell (hamstring), but James Hildreth returns to the squad following a hip injury. Tom Banton will miss the next two matches due to being called up by England.
Somerset squad: Lewis Gregory, George Bartlett, Jack Brooks, Eddie Byrom, Devon Conway, Marchant de Lange, Lewis Goldsworthy, Ben Green, James Hildreth, Tom Lammonby, Jack Leach, Craig Overton, Will Smeed, Max Waller
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Gloucestershire: WWWAA
Somerset: LWWWA
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 29
Gloucestershire wins: 14
Somerset wins: 13
Tied: 0
Abandoned: 7
No result: 2
What’s the weather forecast?
As with much of the country, the skies are clear and the sun is expected to shine throughout this contest.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Bristol: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
The match is sold out.
Travel
Address: The Bristol County Ground, Nevil Road, Bristol, BS7 9EJ
By car: The ground is situated in close proximity to the M32 with access to the M4 and M5.
Limited parking is sometimes available in the City of Bristol College car park, however, it is recommended that all visitors should travel to the ground via public transport.
By public transport: The Brightside Ground is easily accessible by bus.
Services 17, 70/71, 72, 73, 75, 76, T2 all run within a five-minute walk of the main entrance using stops on the nearby Gloucester Road (Services 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, T2), Muller Road (Service 17) and Ashley Down Road (Service 70).
All buses operate at regular intervals, Service 75 and 76 run 24 hours a day.
Train journeys from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads take approximately an hour and three quarters.
How do I follow the match?
Gloucestershire will offer live coverage of the match via their website: Click here
All T20 Blast 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: All Vitality Blast fixtures will be available on BBC Local Radio stations with extensive coverage also on 5 Live Sports Extra.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and updates from every Vitality Blast match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Prediction?
This fixture between two rivals is a tough one to call with two players on either side racking up the runs for their side - but just with that something more to play for in fifth, we feel the visitors might just nick it. Somerset win.
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South Group
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