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: Hampshire Hawks v Somerset
Venue: Ageas Bowl, Southampton
Date: Friday, July 9, 2021
Start time: 7pm
What’s the lowdown?
Even with 12 points still to play for, Hants' hopes of qualifying for the last eight are all-but over. Victory over Gloucestershire ended a run of seven games without a win, but it was just their second of the campaign. They require a minor miracle to progress.
Three wins from their final five matches will likely be enough for Somerset to secure a quarter-final place, though they will be keen to keep hold of one of the top two places with guarantees a home tie in the knock-out phase.
They have lost just one of their last nine and though Covid-19 has stripped them of several star names they look well on course to progress.
Who’s in form?
Devon Conway has been one of the overseas signing of the summer, scoring three fifties in five Blast innings for Somerset albeit at a rather pedestrian strike rate of 126.34.
Elsewhere in the batting department, Will Smeed won himself a Hundred contract with Birmingham Phoenix thanks to his impressive form, scoring 222 runs (SR 142.30).
Victory over Gloucestershire, last season's semi-finalists, was achieved part in thanks to Tom Prest's unbeaten 59 - just Hampshire's second fifty with the bat during the competition.
If the south coast club are to stage a remarkable turnaround then Chris Wood will be vital both with the new ball and at the back-end of the innings with the bat. His two wickets getting rid of Benny Howell and Jack Taylor were vital to delivering that much-needed victory last time out at The Ageas Bowl.
What’s the team news?
The Hawks are without James Vince and Liam Dawson, with Chris Wood set to lead the side. Toby Albert is in line for his Hampshire debut.
Hampshire Hawks squad: Chris Wood, Lewis McManus, Scott Currie, D’Arcy Short, Ryan Stevenson, Joe Weatherley, James Fuller, Brad Wheal, Colin de Grandhomme, Tom Prest, Toby Albert, Mason Crane
The visitors are without Tom Banton, who is in self-isolation, and Craig Overton and Lewis Gregory who are in England's replacement ODI squad. Max Waller will captain the side.
Somerset squad: Max Waller, Kasey Aldridge, George Bartlett, Jack Brooks, Eddie Byrom, Devon Conway, Marchant de Lange, Lewis Goldsworthy, Ben Green, James Hildreth, Tom Lammonby, Will Smeed, Roelof van der Merwe.
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Hampshire Hawks: WLALA
Somerset: WWLWW
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 19
Hampshire Hawks wins: 6
Somerset: 12
Tied: 1
Abandoned: 3
No result: 0
What’s the weather forecast?
A sunny day makes way for a cloudy evening, though temperatures will remain decent at 19 degrees Celsius.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Southampton: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
Tickets are provisionally sold out for all of Hampshire's Blast matches.
Click here to access the Hampshire ticket office.
Travel
Address: Botley Rd, West End, Southampton SO30 3XH
Walking: If you are walking to The Ageas Bowl, make your way along Botley Road until you reach Marshall Drive and the giant set of cricket stumps.
Then walk up Marshall Drive and head straight over the roundabout for the ground
By train: Hedge End train station is less than two miles away, approximately a 35-minute walk from The Ageas Bowl.
The No.8 bus service connects the stadium with Hedge End train station, Southampton Civic Centre or Southampton City Centre.
By car: The Ageas Bowl is just 1.2 miles from the M27, Junction 7. When exiting the motorway follow signs for The Ageas Bowl.
The Ageas Bowl offers complimentary parking for those attending meetings, weddings or events at the venue.
Cycling: There is also a free bicycle storage facility. This is located near the Hampshire Wellbeing Centre, located opposite the East Gate of the main stadium.
How do I follow the match?
Hampshire will show this game on 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?
Difficult to look past Somerset, who are chasing qualification. Hampshire, on the other hand, have endured a poor campaign.
OTHER T20 BLAST MATCH PREVIEWS, JULY 9
NORTH GROUP
Worcestershire v Birmingham Bears
Lancashire Lightning v Northamptonshire Steelbacks
Notts Outlaws v Yorkshire Vikings
SOUTH GROUP
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