Vitality t20 Blast 2018 – Somerset vs Nottinghamshire Outlaws Preview
AT A GLANCE
When? Sunday 26th August, 15:00 (UK)
Where? Cooper Associates County Ground
Weather? 17-18c with a high chance of rain affecting play
What channel is it on? Sky Sports Cricket
Where can I stream the match? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via Sky Go
Are tickets still available? https://www.ecb.co.uk/tickets/domestic
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time meetings: Somerset W2, Nottinghamshire Outlaws W1
THE TEAM NEWS
SOMERSET
Coach: Jason Kerr
Captain: Lewis Gregory
- Somerset come into this quarter-final clash as another underrated outfit and they were arguably one of the more impressive sides in the group stage so expectations are high among the squad.
- Despite not having any real star players or big name overseas’ stars, they have grown into the tournament and got better with every game as they carry good momentum into this clash with Notts.
- Skipper Lewis Gregory is an injury for this sold out match, but there is optimism that he will be able to play meaning it is only Tim Groenewald who is unavailable with a groin problem and the rest of the squad is fit and healthy.
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE OUTLAWS
Coach: Peter Moores
Captain: Dan Christian
- The Outlaws have hit form at just the right time of the season having won their last three matches to reach the quarter-finals and are playing some of their best cricket of the season at present.
- Jake Ball has been absent in recent weeks due to injury and the club have decided to shut him down for the rest of the season now so he is out of action but they have done well without him so they will not be too concerned.
- Gurney and Sodhi have been in outstanding form at the business end of the t20 Blast campaign so they will be key to their hopes here while skipper Dan Christian will also be vital with both bat and ball too.
THE PREDICTION
Rain is almost certain to affect this match which really does make this one a tough match to call. There is a reserve day available if no play is possible on Sunday but they will be keen to avoid that. Somerset have been the better side throughout the group phase but the Outlaws produced the goods to win some key matches to get to the knockout stage so their confidence will be equally as high. Notts have the reputation and history in this tournament as champions, but that may be over-inflated here. Somerset are strong in every department and have shown great consistency throughout the team to grind results out and they should be narrowly favoured here assuming the rain does not impact the game too much.
