T20 Blast | ESS vs SOM | Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, CREX XI

Simon Harmer-led Essex will square off against Tom Abell-led Somerset in the South Group fixture of the English T20 Blast match on Sunday (June 19). The star-studded affair is scheduled to be played at County Ground, Chelmsford. 

The Essex Eagles are currently placed third in the South Group points tally, with 5 wins from 9 games. They are heading into this game on the back of a thumping 11 runs victory over Sussex. 

After putting to bat first, they posted a mammoth total of 244 on the board and put brakes to Sussex's inning by restricting them for 233/6 on the back of their late but controlled bowling effort. They will be looking to continue their winning momentum in the tournament and climb up in the points table.  

On the other hand, Somerset currently occupies second place in the South Group, with 12 points from six wins in eight games. They defeated Gloucestershire by a narrow margin of 7 runs in their last outing.  

After inserting to bat first, the Tom Abell-led outfit posted 184/6 on board, and restricted Gloucestershire to the score of 177. Peter Siddle was the pick of the bowlers, having bagged a 3-wicket haul. 

With both the teams sitting in the top half of the standings and giving head-to-head competition to one another, we can expect another exciting game in the T20 Blast on Sunday. 

Match Details:

Match: Essex vs Somerset, Match 89

Venue: County Ground Chelmsford, England

Date & Time: June 19 at 7:00 PM IST

Live Streaming: FanCode and ECB website.

Pitch Report: The wicket in Chelmsford has seen some high-scoring contest in the recent past, and we can expect another such game on Sunday. Bowlers need to bowl at the right line and length to pick wickets. Anything around 180-190 will be the competitive total at this venue. 

Head-To-Head:

Matches Played: 14

Essex Won: 6

Middlesex Won: 8

Squads:

Essex: Simon Harmer (c), Daniel Sams, Matt Critchley, Nick Browne, Alistair Cook, Robin Das, Feroze Khushi, Dan Lawrence, Josh Rymell, Tom Westley, Will Buttleman, Michael Pepper, Adam Wheater, Ben Allison, Aaron Beard, Sam Cook, Eshun Kalley, Aron Nijjar, Jack Plom, Jamie Porter, Shane Snater, Paul Walter

Somerset: Tom Abell (c), Kasey Aldridge, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton (wk), George Bartlett, Jack Brooks, Josh Davey, Steven Davies, Lewis Goldsworthy, Ben Green, Lewis Gregory, James Hildreth, Tom Lammonby, Marchan De Lange, Jack Leach, Ned Leonard, Craig Overton, Matt Renshaw, Ollie Sale, Peter Siddle, Will Smeed, Roelof Van der Merwe, Max Waller

Probable Playing XI:

Essex: Adam Rossington (wk), Feroze Khushi, Michael-Kyle Pepper, Matthew Critchley, Paul Walter, Tom Westley, Simon Harmer (c), Daniel Sams, Aron Nijjar, Ben Allison, Samuel Cook

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

CREX XI Suggestion:

Wicket-Keeper: Michael-Kyle Pepper, Adam Rossington

Batters: Rilee Rossouw, Paul Walter, Will Smeed 

All-Rounders: Lewis Gregory, Simon Harmer, Matthew Critchley

Bowlers: Peter Siddle, Samuel Cook, Tom Lammonby

Captain: Matthew Critchley

Vice-Captain: Lewis Gregory