Hampshire and Somerset will be up against each other in the first semi-final of the Vitality T20 Blast 2021 at Edgbaston in Birmingham, on Saturday (18 September).
Somerset haven't won the competition since 2005. The club have invested extensively in nurturing homegrown talents, and they have reaped rich rewards. The likes of Tom Banton, Will Smeed, and Tom Lammonby have played crucial roles in their run to the final.
They defeated Lancashire by seven wickets in the final. Somerset chased down a target of 185 runs in just 18.1 overs, with seven wickets remaining. Tom Abell and Lammonby added 102 runs for the fourth wicket to drive their team across the finishing line.
Banton has blown hot and cold throughout the season. Roelof van der Merwe picked four wickets in the last game. Josh Davey is also available.
Hampshire, meanwhile, rode on terrific bowling performances to defeat Nottinghamshire by two runs. Batting first, they huffed and puffed to 125/9 in 20 overs. Tom Prest's 44 was the highest score of the innings. Either side of Prest, the batters failed to put up anything substantial.
Liam Dawson and Scott Currie then ran through the opponents, reducing them for 123 in 19.4 overs. Dawson picked up three wickets in the game.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Banton hasn't quite fired for Somerset this season. Hampshire's Lewis McManus is a better option than Banton as a wicket-keeper.
- Among batters, pick Abell, Smeed and Joe Weatherley.
- D'Arcy Short and van der Merwe are two ideal all-rounders for your fantasy XI.
Probable XIs:
Hampshire: James Vince (c), Lewis McManus (wk), Tom Prest, D Arcy Short, Liam Dawson, Mason Crane, Chris Wood, Scott Currie, Bradley Wheal, Joe Weatherley, James Fuller
Somerset: Lewis Gregory (c), Tom Banton (wk), Tom Abell, Will Smeed, James Hildreth, Tom Lammonby, Ben Green, Roelof van der Merwe, Marchant de Lange, Jack Brooks, Josh Davey
Blitzpools Fantasy Team:
Lewis McManus (c), James Vince (vc), Tom Abell, Tom Prest, Will Smeed, D'Arcy Short, Roelof van der Merwe, Marchant de Lange, Josh Davey, Scott Currie, Bradley Wheal