Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast, form, prediction and everything else you need to know ahead of the third Vitality Blast quarter-final...
Fixture: Somerset v Lancashire Lightning
Venue: Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton
Date: Thursday, August 26, 2021
Start time: 7pm
What’s the lowdown?
Somerset finished second in the South Group, picking up eight wins, four defeats and two no results to finish just one point behind table-toppers Kent Spitfires. Lewis Gregory's side endured a tough start to the group stages, winning just one of their opening three matches before losing the next two to the weather. However, they recovered in style, losing just two of their remaining nine matches. Somerset will be looking to end a 16-year wait for their second T20 trophy.
Lancashire, by contrast, had a strong start to their T20 campaign, winning three of their opening four matches before taking just two points - one tie, one abandoned - from their next five. However, they fought back strongly, winning four of their final five matches, including a crucial Roses victory at Old Trafford, to finish third in the North Group. Local rivals Yorkshire pipped them to second position on average points per completed match after their final match against Derbyshire Falcons was called off due to Covid-19.
Who’s in form?
Finn Allen was Lancashire's leading run-scorer during the group stage, scoring 399 runs, including four half-centuries. However, the New Zealander is not available for the knockout stages.
Fortunately, Lightning have had no shortage of runs, with Liam Livingstone, Keaton Jennings, Steven Croft and Alex Davies all passing 200 runs. The former, who should return to Lancashire red following his exploits with England and Birmingham Phoenix, has scored 254 runs in just five appearances in 2021. Jennings is not available for this fixture.
Luke Wood and Matt Parkinson are the club's leading wicket-takers, with 13 apiece. However, spinner Tom Hartley has been Lancashire's best bowler, taking 12 wickets and bowling with an economy of 6.46. He has also bowled a team-leading 47 overs. He may well need to step up given the absences of Parkinson and Wood on Thursday.
A New Zealander also topped the run charts for Somerset, with Devon Conway scoring 309 runs in eight appearances. Tom Banton (236 runs), James Hildreth (205) and Will Smeed (283) have all passed 200 runs for the season, with the latter also scoring 166 runs for Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred.
With the ball, Marchant de Lange has taken a team-leading 14 wickets, while Gregory and Craig Overton have taken 12 each. Overton has also conceded just 7.06 per over, making him the team's most economical bowler.
What’s the team news?
Somerset are without Craig Overton (international duty) and Lewis Goldsworthy (illness) but welcome back several player who were involved in The Hundred. Lewis Gregory, Tom Lammonby, Will Smeed, Roelof van der Merwe, Tom Banton, Marchant de Lange, Max Waller, and Tom Abell all return.
Somerset squad: Lewis Gregory, Tom Abell, Tom Banton, Jack Brooks, Josh Davey, Marchant de Lange, Ben Green, James Hildreth, Tom Lammonby, Jack Leach, Will Smeed, Roelof van der Merwe, Max Waller
Dane Vilas, Liam Livingstone and Alex Davies are all back in the matchday squad while Richard Gleeson returns after recovering from a back injury.
Matt Parkinson is currently isolating and will miss the match, while Luke Wood (side) and Keaton Jennings (calf) have been ruled out.
Saqib Mahmood and Finn Allen are on international duties with England and New Zealand.
Lancashire Lightning squad: Dane Vilas, Tom Bailey, George Balderson, Josh Bohannon, Steven Croft, Alex Davies, Richard Gleeson, Tom Hartley, Liam Hurt, Rob Jones, Danny Lamb, George Lavelle, Liam Livingstone, Jack Morley, Luke Wells
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Somerset: WWLWW
Lancashire Lightning: WWWLW
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 1
Somerset wins: 1
Lancashire Lightning wins: 0
Tied: 0
Abandoned: 1
No result: 0
Latest Lancashire Lightning news
What’s the weather forecast?
Cloudy with sunny intervals is the forecast for Taunton, with temperatures reaching highs of 21 degrees Celsius.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Taunton: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
This fixture is sold out.
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?
This match is being shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket, with coverage starting at 6.55pm.
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?
If Liam Livingstone fires on Taunton's small ground, it could be too much for Somerset to handle, but Lancashire's absences are notable. Home win.
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