T20 Blast quarter-final preview: Somerset v Nottinghamshire

Somerset topped the South Group on run rate with 20 points while Nottinghamshire snuck in at the last minute into fourth place in the North Group

^{Heavyweights collide as Somerset clash with Nottinghamshire with a place at Finals Day up for grabs}

The Sky cameras are at Taunton on Sunday afternoon as the T20 Blast quarter-finals come to a close with Somerset  taking on Notts Outlaws in what has all the potential to be the tie of the round.

Somerset topped the South Group on run rate with 20 points while Nottinghamshire snuck in at the last minute into fourth place in the North Group. With both sides containing batting power at a ground that is brilliant for batting, this one could be a real classic, full of runs.

Team news

Somerset T20 captain and allrounder Lewis Gregory is an injury doubt for the hosts.

Form

Somerset may have lost their final game of the regular campaign but they enter the knockout stages as one of the form teams in the competition thanks to nine wins in their previous ten matches. They have won the most games in the competition up to press with 10 and look a very well balanced side full on confidence.

Notts won their final three games to get into the knockout stages but had struggled to fire properly during the early and middle stages of the group. Their recent run stands them in good stead to feel relatively happy heading into the quarter-finals however and they possess an outfit full of match winners that have the potential to show up on any given day.

^{Corey Anderson has been Somerset's leading light with the bat this season}

Who are the players to look out for?

Corey Anderson has had a terrific campaign for Somerset so far and he will be the man that the hosts look to for a stand out display with the bat. The New Zealander has scored 460 runs at an average of 46 with three fifties. His strike-rate in doing so, a mighty 173.58, has been immensely impressive with the allrounder having kicked his side into gear on several occasions. He will certainly be one to look out for.

For the visitors, Harry Gurney has been a central figure. His 20 wickets, the joint fourth highest in the competition, at an average of 17, have helped bail out a side that, for all their batting star power, has struggled to make everything click for large parts of the campaign. If he can continue his impressive form with the ball then Notts may just be in with a shout of reaching Finals Day.

Key battles

Corey Anderson v Harry Gurney

In the battle of the two players to look out for, Corey Anderson’s power-hitting prowess meets Harry Gurney’s left-arm variations. This battle could well and truly decide the game. Anderson, the 59^th best T20 player in the world according to the Player Performance Index, has hit more sixes, 31, than fours, 28, in the tournament and his wicket will be a massive one for the travelling Nottinghamshire side.

Jerome Taylor v Dan Christian

Somerset’s most economical bowler in the tournament, Jerome Taylor, will be aiming to rip through Nottinghamshire’s impressive batting order too with his pace and experience. Dan Christian. The 23^rd best T20 player in the world according to the Player Performance Index, has scored his side’s most runs with 413 coming at an average of nearly 46. Away from the focus on Hales, his attacking batting will be a big factor riding on the game.

Jamie Overton v Alex Hales

If Anderson is the big wicket for Nottinghamshire then England international Alex Hales is the huge one to get for the hosts. Hales has only featured in five games for Nottinghamshire this year but his 71 not out in the final group game against Yorkshire was vital in seeing his side through to this match. Jamie Overton has taken the most wickets for Somerset this season with 19 and his pace has been a key part of their attack.

^{The battle between Jamie Overton and Alex Hales could decide the game}

What are each camp saying ahead of the game?

Somerset head coach Jason Kerr has said: “There will be a fantastic atmosphere and we have players like Peter Trego, who thrive on big crowds and important games. The message to all the players from me will be that these games are there to be enjoyed, so go out and relish every moment.”

Ticket availability and prices

Tickets for the match are sold out with all having been sold within 72 hours of going on sale. 

Prediction

Nottinghamshire, for all their batting stars, have been way too inconsistent this season and they will face an almighty task when they come against the competition’s most consistent side. Somerset have not started their batting innings very well in 2018 but their post-Powerplay batting has been excellent as no team has scored faster against spin than them. With this in mind, and the hosts pace attack, I am backing Somerset to reach the last four at the expense of the Outlaws.