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: Somerset v Middlesex
Venue: Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton
Date: Friday, July 2, 2021
Start time: 6.30pm
What’s the lowdown?
Two of the in-form sides in the competition. Middlesex have climbed off the foot of the table and after making gradual improvements in recent weeks have won two of their last three.
They were mightly unfortunate not to beat Essex at Lord's after Simon Harmer's boundary off the final ball secured victory for the 2019 champions.
Middlesex looked destined for victory again 24 hours later before Ollie Pope's half-century helped Surrey rip victory once again from the jaws of defeat.
That was their last reverse. Either side of rain denying them the chance to land a second win over the bottom side Hampshire routine wins have been secured against Glamorgan by seven wickets and then Sussex by 63 runs. Only six games remain but a late surge for the quarter-finals should not be discounted.
That streak will be tested by a Somerset side who have lost one of their last eight to thrust themselves into the top four.
Though a three-game winning run against Surrey, Hampshire and Kent was ended by Essex and Harmer (sound familiar?) the Taunton club returned to form in the local derby against Gloucestershire. Set 162 for victory at Bristol, they chased it down with four deliveries and eight wickets to spare.
Who’s in form?
Stephen Eskinazi is the form batter in the country right now, with scores of 102*, 64, 91* and 59 having underpinned Middlesex's recent improvement.
It would be wrong to ignore a bowling attack that is backing up an improvement in the batting. Keeping Sussex to just 103 for 9 from their 20 overs was a remarkable effort, partly inspired by the spin pair Mujeeb ur Rahman, who took the new ball in his second outing since replacing Chris Green as an overseas player, and Nathan Sowter.
Sowter has 13 wickets for the campaign after figures of 4-0-13-3 in the 63-run win.
Tom Banton's absence due to being called up by England duty might feel like a blow for Somerset, but in Devon Conway, there is an able replacement and then some.
Fresh from winning the World Test Championship with New Zealand, he's on a run of three fifties in a row that was extended by an unbeaten 81 against Gloucestershire.
Lewis Gregory produced career-best figures in that success, claiming 5 for 24 to take his haul for the season to a dozen. Marchant de Lange is next on the list with 10 but they need help in the spin department.
What’s the team news?
Tom Banton is unavailable for the hosts after being called up to the England squad.
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
Stuart Law has made just one change to the squad from the win over Sussex, with Nick Gubbins dropping out
Middlesex squad: Steven Finn, Martin Andersson, Joe Cracknell, Blake Cullen, Stephen Eskinazi, Tom Helm, Max Holden, Luke Hollman, Daryl Mitchell, John Simpson, Nathan Sowter, Mujeeb ur Rahman
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Somerset: WLWWW
Middlesex: WAWLL
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 15
Somerset wins: 9
Middlesex wins: 5
Tied: 1
Abandoned: 2
No result: 0
What’s the weather forecast?
The match is set to avoid the incoming inclement weather, with a full match expected to be completed before the rain comes during the evening and over the weekend.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Taunton: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
Only members who have been successful in the ballot will be permitted entry for this match.
Click here to access the Somerset box office.
Travel
Full address: County Ground Taunton, St James Street, Taunton, TA1 1JT
By car: At Junction 25, take the A358 Exit to Taunton/ Yeovil. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit (south) or 3rd exit (north) onto the A358 heading to Taunton/ A38/ Minehead, continuing straight onto Toneway/ A358. At the next roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Priory Avenue and the Cooper Associates County Ground will be on your left.
By train: Taunton Train Station is a 10-minute walk from the 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.
By bus: Taunton Bus Station is a five-minute walk from the 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.
Park & Ride: Taunton operate two park and ride services from either the Silk Mills (West – TA1 5AA) or Junction 25 (East – TA3 5LU) sites. Please check their opening hours ahead of your visit by clicking here.
How do I follow the match?
Somerset 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?
You wonder how long Eskinazi's golden run can continue. Somerset have plenty in reserve even if Conway and Gregory fail to fire you fancy they'll have enough. Home win.
NORTH GROUP
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SOUTH GROUP
Hampshire Hawks v Gloucestershire
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