Somerset vs Essex, T20BLAST, Today Match Prediction 31 May 2024

SOM vs ESS Match Prediction & Analysis

It's a rematch of the 2023 Vitality Blast final! Game 11 of the T20 Vitality Blast 2024 will see last year’s finalists – Essex and Somerset – clash in a potentially exciting encounter at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton. Somerset won that final by 14 runs and will be hoping to continue their dominance over Essex. Essex are coming into this game with a big loss, while this will be Somerset’s first game of the season. We are all set for a cracker of a contest. 

RECENT PERFORMANCE

SOM

W L W L L

DER

261/10 in 48.1 5.43

RLODC

Somerset won by 72 runs 22 Aug 2023

SOM

333/5 in 50.0 6.66

SOM

298/7 in 50.0 5.96

RLODC

Glamorgan Won By 2 wickets 20 Aug 2023

GLA

301/8 in 47.1 6.39

DUR

181/10 in 45.0 4.02

RLODC

17 Aug 2023

SOM

182/4 in 26.5 6.87

GLO

454/3 in 50.0 9.08

RLODC

Gloucestershire beat Somerset by 198 runs 13 Aug 2023

SOM

256/10 in 38.2 6.7

SOM

318/6 in 50.0 6.36

RLODC

Sussex beat Somerset by 4 wickets 11 Aug 2023

SUS

319/6 in 48.1 6.63

ESS

L L L L L

GLO

142/5 in 17.0 8.35

T20BLAST

Gloucestershire beat Essex by 5 wickets 30 May 2024

ESS

141/9 in 20.0 7.05

ESS

447/9 in 119.4 3.74

CC_2023

Hampshire beat Essex by 3 wickets

19 Sep 2023

HAM

267/7 in 58.1 4.59

ESS

259/9 in 50.0 5.18

RLODC

Surrey won by 2 wickets 22 Aug 2023

SUR

261/8 in 50.0 5.22

KENT

287/8 in 50.0 5.74

RLODC

Kent beat Essex by 60 runs 20 Aug 2023

ESS

227/10 in 44.5 5.1

LEI

251/8 in 48.3 5.2

RLODC

15 Aug 2023

ESS

250/8 in 50.0 5

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Somerset Preview

Somerset's 15-win championship run in 2023 was fueled by a bowling attack led by Matt Henry (the highest wicket-taker) and Ish Sodhi. However, both miss this season due to the World Cup. Can Somerset overcome this loss and replicate their past success?

Somerset must plug the gap left by Henry and Sodhi's combined 39 wickets at a phenomenal 14.10 average. Ben Green, last year's Blast second-highest wicket-taker (30), could be the answer.

Craig Overton (18 wickets last season at 7.35) is also a dependable bowler and will be handy on this surface.

Among the batters, Somerset will depend on the likes of Will Smeed, Tom Kohler-Core, and Tom Banton. These three had a phenomenal season for Somerset, scoring over 450 runs each, and will be key to holding the team’s batting unit together. 

Smeed was their leading run-getter with 523 runs at a strike rate of 175. If he gets going, he can turn the game around in the matter of overs.

Somerset Predicted Playing XI:

Tom Banton (wk), Will Smeed, Tom Kohler-Core, Tom Abell, Sean Dickson, Lewis Gregory (c), Ben Green, Craig Overton, Kasey Aldridge, Jake Ball, Jack Leach/ Roelof van der Merwe

Somerset Actual Playing XI:

Thomas Abell, Sean Dickson, Tom Kohler Core, Will Smeed, Jake Ball, Roelof Van Der Merwe, Ben Green, Lewis Gregory, Craig Overton, Tom Banton, Riley Meredith

Essex Preview

Essex started their new season with a five-wicket loss to Gloucestershire. at Bristol, where they could manage only 141-9 after batting first.

Daniel Sams, a key player for Essex last year, will be crucial for the team’s chances in 2024. He was a force with the bat (419 runs, 173 SR) and ball (25 wickets, 8.40 econ), making him crucial for their middle order and bowling attack.

Jordan Cox, a recent addition to the Essex squad, has impressed with both the bat and on the field. He wasted no time showcasing his talent, top-scoring with a blistering 48 off 27 balls in the first game against Gloucestershire. 

Michael Pepper (409 runs last season at a strike rate of 167) is another batter we are backing. He got out for a golden luck in the first game, but don’t be surprised if he makes a big contribution here. 

Beyond Sams, Essex's bowling attack needs strong showings from spinners Matthew Critchley and Simon Harmer. Both sured 20 wickets in a productive 2023 and their continued success will be crucial for Essex's bowling unit.

Essex Predicted Playing XI:

Adam Rossington (wk), Dean Elgar, Michael-Kyle Pepper, Jordan Cox, Paul Walter, Matthew Critchley, Daniel Sams, Simon Harmer (c), Luke Benkenstein, Ben Allison, Aaron Beard

Essex Actual Playing XI:

Dean Elgar, Luc Benkenstein, Matt Critchley, Simon Harmer, Daniel Sams, Paul Walter, Jordan Cox, Michael Pepper, Adam Rossington, Ben Allison, Aaron Beard

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at the Cooper Associates County Ground is a well-balanced one. Seamers do get some help off the wicket when the conditions are right, while spinners find assistance once the hardness has worn off. The fresh track will certainly help the pacers early on. However, batters should have a great time here once they’ve gotten used to the conditions.

The weather in Taunton will be pleasant and partly cloudy today during the game.

SOM vs ESS Pitch Report

The average first innings score at Taunton is 175. The highest total posted at the venue is Somerset’s 229-6 while batting first against Middlesex in the 2018 Vitality Blast. The team batting first in this match will be targeting a score of around 190-200 runs. 

Toss: To Bowl

Five of the eight matches played at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton last season were won by the chasing side. The toss-winning team will have this in mind and are likely going to field first here.