Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, head-to-head record, weather forecast, prediction, and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the County Championship...
Fixture: Hampshire v Somerset
Venue: Ageas Bowl, Southampton
Dates: Thursday, May 6, 2021 - Sunday, May 9, 2021
Start time: 11am
What's the lowdown?
After making an emphatic entrance, Hampshire's County Championship campaign tumbled off the red carpet at the Kia Oval last week, as they went down to their largest defeat by an innings for 110 years. Skittled for 92 in the first innings, they then watched Hashim Amla and Ollie Pope stack up the runs for Surrey before succumbing to Kemar Roach's career-best 8 for 40 in the second innings.
That result is at odds with their other three performances, and Hampshire are very much in with a shout of making the top two in Group 2.
It will be a fascinating contest against a Somerset side which has not been at its best in 2021, but has still managed to overturn a points deduction to sit pretty in second place after four rounds.
The West Country side have lost one and won three of their Championship matches to date, and came from a difficult position to impressively beat Middlesex at Taunton last time out, despite losing Lewis Gregory to the first Covid substitution in county cricket on day three.
Who's in form?
Craig Overton is the County Championship’s leading wicket-taker this season with 25 at 14.60, and took eight wickets in each of his last two outings to fly up the table.
In the process one of the bowlers the Somerset seamer leap-frogged was Mohammad Abbas, who has managed 16 wickets so far this season, including a hat-trick against Middlesex.
Five of Hampshire’s top six have hit centuries already this season, with opener Ian Holland and No.3 Tom Alsop having registered two each. Meanwhile, not one Somerset’s batting unit has yet reached three figures this term.
Last five first-class matches (most recent first)
Hampshire: LDWWL
Somerset: WWLWD
Head-to-head first-class record
Total matches: 210
Hampshire wins: 71
Somerset wins: 55
Draws: 84
Abandoned: 3
What's the team news?
Hampshire: Keith Barker makes his first Championship squad this term having missed the start of the season with a hamstring problem. Opener Felix Organ is also added to the 14-man party.
Squad: James Vince (c), Mohammad Abbas, Kyle Abbott, Tom Alsop, Mason Crane, Scott Currie, Liam Dawson, Ian Holland, Lewis McManus (wk), Sam Northeast, Joe Weatherley, Brad Wheal, Keith Barker, Felix Organ
Somerset: Tom Banton misses out having found the going tough at the top of Somerset’s order this season.
Who will replace him as Tom Lammonby’s opening partner remains to be seen, though the smart money would be on Eddie Byrom who did the job last season. Meanwhile, Craig Overton will make his 100th first-class appearance.
Squad: Tom Abell (c), George Bartlett, Jack Brooks, Eddie Byrom, Josh Davey, Steve Davies, Marchant de Lange, Lewis Goldsworthy, Lewis Gregory, James Hildreth, Tom Lammonby, Jack Leach, Craig Overton, Roelof van der Merwe
Latest Hampshire news: Click here
Latest Somerset news: Click here
Who's said what?
Head coach Jason Kerr has been impressed by how his side’s ability to get positive results despite being some way off optimal form:
“I think we’ve seen the real strength of character in this squad. We’ve not been at our best this season, but we’re finding ways to win. People are making contributions and we’ve bowled brilliantly.
“Hampshire have recruited well over the winter. Mohammad Abbas and Kyle Abbott are a quality new-ball pairing. We know what we’re up against and we know that they’ll be looking to bounce back from a defeat against Surrey. We will be concentrating on how we can improve on the Middlesex performance and then take that to the Ageas Bowl.”
What's the weather forecast?
Like much of the country, Saturday looks like it's going to be soggy. Unlike much of the country, Southampton might avoid the rain on Thursday.
When it's not raining, it won't be warm.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for the Ageas Bowl: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream: Hampshire will offer live coverage of the match via their website: Click here
All 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 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: This match is to be played behind closed doors owing to Covid-19 restrictions.
Travel: Not applicable owing to Covid-19 restrictions.
Prediction?
Hampshire's batsmen had a bad day/week at The Oval, but it won't happen two weeks in a row. Somerset keep grinding out wins. The fastest starter will likely take this one, given the weather on Saturday is pretty ominous. We're calling a home win.
OTHER ROUND FIVE PREVIEWS
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
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