T20 Blast 2022 | SOM vs SUR | Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, CREX XI

The final round of the league stage is upon us, as Surrey and Somerset lock horns in Match 126 of the English T20 Blast on Sunday. Both teams have already booked their place in the quarterfinals, occupying the top two spots on the points table.

Surrey are placed at the top of the points table, with 21 points to their names. The South Group leaders have had a near-perfect tournament, claiming 10 wins from their 13 games. The outcome of the final match will not affect their position on the league table, as Somerset are three points adrift of their rivals.

Somerset have also had a relatively straightforward passage into the quarterfinals. They are placed second on the points tally, with nine wins and four losses from 13 games. Somerset are coming into this fixture on the back of two consecutive wins. Unfortunately, Tom Abell and Co. have not been at their best off-late, but have managed to just get past the finishing line. 

Somerset claimed a two-wicket victory over Middlesex in their last round after chasing down 161 runs with just two balls to spare. Josh Davey held his nerve at the end, hitting a six off the fourth ball of the final over. Rilee Rossouw has amassed 503 runs in 13 matches at an average of just over 50. He remains the fourth highest run-getter of the tournament. 

Surrey have shown signs of complacency off-late, losing two of their last three fixtures. The table-toppers were unbeaten in their first ten league games, winning nine games, whereas one fixture was abandoned due to rain. However, they bounced back in style with a narrow four-wicket victory over Kent in the last round. Jason Roy’s 58 and Sam Curran’s 50 helped the hosts chase down a challenging total of 192 runs.

Surrey will be without a handful of their key players, as they have been included in the English white-ball squad for the series against India. 

Even though both teams have already qualified for the knockout round, they will still look to put their best foot forward. 

Match Details:

Match: Somerset vs Surrey, Match 126

Venue: Cooper Associates Ground, Taunton

Date & Time: July 3 at 11:30 PM IST

Live Streaming: FanCode and ECB website.

Pitch Report: The past few fixtures at this venue have relatively yielded high-scoring encounters. The team batting first should target a first innings score of around 190-200 runs. There is a possibility of a reduced game because of the passing showers. 

Head-To-Head:

Matches Played: 22

Surrey Won: 12

Somerset Won: 6

No Result: 4

Squads:

Surrey: Will Jacks, Tom Curran, Laurie Evans, Jamie Overton, Aaron Hardie, Chris Jordan (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Daniel Moriarty, Reece Topley, Tom Lawes, Conor McKerr, Gus Atkinson, Cameron Stelle

Somerset: Will Smeed, Tom Banton (wk), Rilee Rossouw, Tom Abell (c), Tom Lammonby, Lewis Gregory, Ben Green, Roelof van der Merwe, Craig Overton, Josh Davey, Peter Siddle, Jack Brooks, George Barlett, Lewis Goldsworthy.

Probable Playing XI:

Surrey: Will Jacks, Jamie Smith (wk), Laurie Evans, Jamie Overton, Aaron Hardie, Chris Jordan (c), Tom Curran, Tom Lawes, Daniel Moriarty, Reece Topley, Gus Atkinson

Somerset: Will Smeed, Tom Banton (wk), Rilee Rossouw, Tom Abell (c), Tom Lammonby, Lewis Gregory, Ben Green, Roelof van der Merwe, Craig Overton, Josh Davey, Peter Siddle

CREX XI Suggestion:

Wicket-Keeper: Tom Banton, Jamie Smith

Batters: Laurie Evans, Rilee Rossouw, Tom Abell 

All-Rounders: Lewis Gregory, Roelof van der Merwe, Jamie Overton

Bowlers: Josh Davey, Peter Siddle, Reece Topley

Captain: Rilee Rossouw 

Vice-Captain: Reece Topley