Match preview: Somerset v Gloucestershire
21 August 2020
Gloucestershire will face Somerset in a first-class match for the first time in 13 years as they travel to Taunton with hopes of taking home bragging rights in the West Country.
Rain all but denied The Shire of a second successive victory in the Bob Willis Trophy against Glamorgan, but the same can be said for Somerset who were on the brink of making it three wins from three when the weather intervened.
With two matches left to play in the competition’s group stage, there is plenty still to play for in the penultimate round. Gloucestershire currently sit third in the Central Group, 22 points behind Saturday’s opponents who are just one point behind group toppers Worcestershire.
For Gloucestershire, David Payne was the standout seam bowler against Glamorgan as the bowling unit showed once again that they can take wickets in bunches by sticking to partnerships and mixing it up when necessary.
The Shire only batted once last weekend due to the rain but Ryan Higgins continued his scoring form finishing just two runs shy of back-to-back half-centuries. New signing Tom Lace fit seamlessly into the four spot in the batting order making 42 off 81 in his first knock of the year.
Gloucestershire’s 14-man squad to face Somerset:
The Overton twins continued to be the driving force behind Somerset, Jamie, who will be leaving for Surrey at the end of the season, hit a maiden century and took two wickets versus Warwickshire while Craig chipped in with three wickets.
Lewis Gregory and Tom Banton will no tbe available for selection due to international commitments but George Bartlett returns to the squad following a concussion.
Since the turn of the century, the two counties have only played each other in red ball competition on six occasions: Gloucestershire winning twice, Somerset three times. Gloucestershire are searching for their first first-class win at Taunton since 1993, although the sides have only competed in five first-class matches at the venue since then.
The match will be played behind closed doors but will be free to stream via the Gloscricket Match Centre here
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