Somerset and Lancashire will lock horns in the third quarter-final of the T20 Blast at County Ground, Taunton, on Thursday, 26 August. Lancashire finished third in the North Group, while Somerset were at the second position in the South Group.
The sides had met in the final of the competition in 2005. Somerset emerged victorious, but it remains their only Blast title won so far. However, with the squad at their disposal, Somerset are one of the favourites for this year competition.
They have one of the most explosive opening pairs in Tom Banton and Will Smeed. While Banton endured an underwhelming campaign in The Hundred, Smeed made his name as the fierce striker. His strike rate of 173 was third best among regular batters.
They have a brilliant all-rounder in Lewis Gregory, who has picked 12 wickets in the tournament, and is handy with bat as well. Marchant de Lange is the leading wicket-taker for them. However, they will miss the services of Craig Overton, who is currently playing a Test against India.
Lancashire, meanwhile, won their last three games on the trot to reach the quarter-final. They will be without their regular openers, Keaton Jennings and Finn Allen. Jennings is out with a calf injury, while Allen is currently with New Zealand's squad in Bangladesh.
They will also miss Jos Buttler and Saqib Mahmood, as both are currently engaged in national duty. With so many notable absences, the onus will be disproportionate on Liam Livingstone, who is in terrific form. He has already smashed 78 sixes this year.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Livingstone should be in your fantasy team. Other than him, pick batters mostly from Somerset.
- Gregory is a safe bet to have, as he contributes with both bat and ball.
- Among bowlers, pick Tom Hartley, de Lange and Jack Leach.
Probable XIs
Somerset: Tom Banton, Tom Lammonby, Steven Davies (wk), James Hildreth, Ben Green, Roelof van der Merwe, Marchant de Lange, Jack Brooks, Will Smeed, Lewis Goldsworthy, Lewis Gregory
Lancashire: Liam Livingstone, Josh Bohannon, Alex Davies, Dane Vilas, Steven Croft, Rob Jones, Luke Wells, Luke Wood, Tom Hartley, Danny Lamb, Matt Parkinson
Prediction:
Somerset should win the contest against the depleted Lancashire squad.