T20 Blast 2021 team guide: Somerset

Who are the key players? How did they do last year? Where are they strong? Where might they be weak? Key questions answered ahead of the new T20 Blast campaign

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Coach: Jason Kerr

Captain: Lewis Gregory

Last season: Fourth in Central Group

How did they do last year?

A disappointing season for Somerset, who were never able to get a run of form together. The side's longest winning streak throughout the group stages stood at two matches and they ended in fourth place in the Central Group, having won four, lost five and seen one match go the way of the weather.

In a high-scoring group, only one side - Birmingham Bears - averaged fewer runs per innings across those 10 matches than Somerset's 166.1, while the West Country outfit leaked on average 172 runs per match.

Their in-and-out form can be at least in part attributed to not having any standout batsman take the lead throughout the campaign. Tom Abell topped the Somerset run charts with 227 at 32.42 (strike rate 136) but that only just squeezed him into the tournament's top 30 runscorers in 2020.

With the ball, Max Waller was typically miserly - well over a quarter of his 204 deliveries in the campaign were dots and his season economy rate of 6.34 was bettered only by Josh Cobb of Northamptonshire and Tom Smith of Gloucestershire, among bowlers with at least 10 overs to their name in the tournament.

Who are their key players?

There's no Babar Azam at the top of the order for Somerset this year, but - whisper it - his replacement might even make more of an impact than the Pakistani favourite.

Devon Conway has been striking sixes and making waves in New Zealand cricket for several years, having sold his home in South Africa and flown to Wellington in hope of forging an international cricket career. In the past seven months, he has become a fixture in the New Zealand white-ball side, having qualified through residency, and going into the tournament he boats a T20I average of 59 from his 11 innings, with four half-centuries and bruising strike rate of 151.11

Conway is currently 69th in the men's T20 Player Index but he is only likely to keep rising the standings. If he and Tom Banton fire at the top of the order, the modestly sized Taunton outfield won't play much of a part. Banton himself remains integral, but after suffering from fatigue following months on the franchise circuit and then contracting what is believed to be a form of long Covid in the abandoned March run of the PSL, he has had a truly miserable 12 months.

Lewis Gregory, taking the reins from Tom Abell for the shortest format, offers plenty with both bat and ball, while Waller's experience and guile is the frustration of many an opposition batting lineup.

And keep an eye on Josh Davey, the Scottish right-arm seamer who has shown plenty to suggest he can be a threat in 2021. Davey took 11 wickets at 11.18 last year in his five appearances. He may get a longer stint this time around.

What are their biggest strengths?

The potential to go big at the top of the order is a massive plus for Somerset, especially in the small confines of Taunton. 

Banton's career T20 strike rate of 151.35 alongside Conway's stats from the past year mean that powerplays could end up being critical, plus while the Kiwi is terrific again spin, Banton's extraordinary ability to hit pace 360 degrees should baffle a fair few opposing captains. 

Among the bowling ranks, the spin duo of Waller and Roelof van der Merwe are particularly good at strangling opponents. While Waller went at 6.23 last year, including stints bowling in the powerplay which make the figures even more impressive, Van Der Merwe was only marginally more expensive, with an overall economy rate of 7.20.

They might not be strike bowlers, but with four decades of know-how between them they can certainly offer Somerset a pair of cool heads when the going gets tough.

Where might they have a weakness?

Their biggest batting strength may be a major weakness, if the top two do not come off as expected. Conway won't join the group until the culmination of New Zealand's World Test Championship final against India in Southampton, anyway, so it is crucial that his teammates do not leave it until his arrival to find their form.

That means Somerset will miss out on his hitting for four home matches - all bar one of their first five are to be played at Taunton. A slow start could really cost them.

What are their chances of reaching Finals Day?

Somerset will certainly be aiming for at least a quarter-final 

Possible XI: Devon Conway, Tom Banton, Steve Davies, James Hildreth, Tom Abell, Tom Lammonby, Lewis Gregory, Roelof van der Merwe, Craig Overton, Marchant de Lange, Max Waller

Fixtures: June 9 - Essex (h); June 11 - Surrey (h); June 15 - Kent (h); June 18 - Sussex (a); June 19 - Glamorgan (h); June 23 - Surrey (a); June 25 - Hampshire (h); June 28 - Kent (a); June 29 - Essex (a); July 1 - Gloucestershire (a); July 2 - Middlesex (h); July 9 - Hampshire (a); July 16 - Glamorgan (a) July 18 - Gloucestershire (h)