Somerset T20 preview: We must win all our remaining games - Klinger
2 July 2015
Skipper Michael Klinger says his side need to win all of their remaining matches to have a chance of reaching the NatWest T20 Blast quarter finals starting with local rivals Somerset at Taunton.
As well as keeping their hopes of a top four finish alive, victory over their local rivals on Friday night (July 3) would also serve as revenge for a five wicket defeat to them at the Bristol County Ground two weeks ago.
Somerset also need the points if they are to progress from the South Group following a three run loss to Glamorgan in their last game.
Looking ahead to the derby, Klinger said: “It’s always a great contest there, certainly the boys will be up for it. We’ve got to win every game now to make the quarter finals now. They’ve just lost a tight game so it’s also a big game for them. Hopefully we can come out and put in a big performance.”
To watch a video interview with Michael click below
Gloucestershire have lost their last two Blast games in agonising fashion – off the penultimate ball v Sussex Sharks last Friday and through a six off the final ball against Surrey on Wednesday night.
But despite coming out on the wrong side of both matches Klinger praised his young bowling attack who, like at the Oval, will again be without experienced death bowlers David Payne and James Fuller for the trip down the M5.
He said: “In terms of effort couldn’t have a go at any of the boys. The three guys who bowled last three overs are very inexperienced at bowling at the death but because of the injuries we had no choice.
“We have played some very good cricket at times, but need more players to come to the fore.
“We have come out on the wrong side of some very close games. A lot of our young players are still learning about the pressures of T20 cricket.”
Gloucestershire do go in to Friday’s match boasting the joint leading run-maker and wicket-taker in the NatWest T20 blast.
Despite making only two v Surrey Klinger has drawn level with Kent’s Sam Northeast on 520 runs in this season’s competition, made from less games and with a far better average (130).
Meanwhile Tom Smith’s two for 24 against Surrey took the left-arm spinner's wicket tally in the South Group to 20, a figure matched only by Essex seamer Shaun Tait.
Again Smith has the far better average (11.55 to Tait’s 18.15) and a better economy rate at 7.21, having played in two less matches than the Australian.
Gloucestershire go into the match without injured pace trio Matt Taylor, David Payne and James Fuller while Liam Norwell – who played his first Blast match of the season on Wednesday – is replaced in the squad by Miles Hammond.
Squad: Michael Klinger (C), Hamish Marshall, Ian Cockbain, Peter Handscomb, Benny Howell, Geraint Jones (Wkt), Chris Dent, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Jack Taylor, Craig Miles, Robbie Montgomery, Tom Smith, Miles Hammond.
Somerset
Defeat to Glamorgan in their last Blast outing means Somerset need to beat Gloucestershire to keep their quarter final aspirations alive.
They are currently sixth in the South Group table, a place and a point above their neighbours who have played one game more.
The home side have added Lewis Gregory and Craig Overton to the squad that was named for last Sunday’s match.
Squad (Probable): Alfonso Thomas (C), Jim Allenby, Johann Myburgh, Peter Trego, James Hildreth, Tom Cooper, Luke Ronchi (W), Timothy Groenewald, Max Waller, Jamie Overton, Abdur Rehman, Lewis Gregory, Craig Overton
What They Say…
Somerset Director of Cricket Matthew Maynard is warning his Somerset players to ignore recent form when arch-rivals Gloucestershire visit Taunton in the NatWest T20 Blast tomorrow evening.
He says his team will need to improve their batting if they are to come away with the two points.
He said: “Everyone knows the form book goes out of the window in derby clashes, whatever the sport.
“It will be all about who performs best on the night and Gloucestershire have some dangerous potential match-winners.
“We will pay them full respect and have to do better with the bat than against Glamorgan when our top individual score was 39.
“It was probably our worst batting performance in the group matches so far because we have usually seen at least one batsman contribute a meaningful score.
“There won’t be many changes, if any, for the Gloucestershire game. I’m backing our top order batsmen to start firing again.
“We know there will be a packed crowd and a fantastic atmosphere for a game both sides need to win.”
Key Man – Luke Ronchi
The New Zealand wicketkeeper/batsman made his debut in Somerset’s last match after signing on a short-term deal following the injury to his international team mate Corey Anderson.
He came in at number six in that match and his powerful hitting and cool head are likely to prove a dangerous combination towards the end of an innings.
A safe pair of hands behind the stumps and a combative batsman, 34-year-old has scored 263 runs in 15 T20 internationals at an average of 32.87.
He also averages 29.45 in ODIs with a highest score of 170 not out.
Last Time We Met
NatWest T20 Blast, June 19 2015 at the Bristol County Ground
Gloucestershire 165-8 (Klinger 44, Gregory 2-37)
Somerset 166-5 (Myburgh 63, Smith 2-23
Somerset won by five wickets
Opta Facts
- Somerset have won their last five T20s against Gloucestershire.
- Nine of the last 11 completed games at Taunton have been won by the team batting first.
- The highest second wicket partnership in English domestic T20s was recorded in this fixture – Justin Langer and Cameron White put on 186 at Taunton in 2006.
- Johann Myburgh hit 63 runs from 50 balls in his only T20 innings against Gloucestershire, earlier this season.
