2022 County Championship Preview: Somerset v Northamptonshire
THE MATCH
Somerset welcome Northamptonshire to the Cooper Associates County Ground for this LV= Insurance County Championship Division One match.
Play is due to begin at 10:30am tomorrow (Tuesday September 20th).
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Somerset are currently seventh in the table with 123 points from 12 matches whilst Northamptonshire are fifth with 147 points from the same number of fixtures.
2022 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP EXPLAINED
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Ticket buyers can print and download their online tickets via their SCCC account.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased by clicking here.
Gates will open at 9:30am.
All ticket or membership collections will be from the Jack White Gates (St James Street).
The Club Inquiries Desk will be based in the Reception of the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion and not in the Andrew Caddick Pavilion on matchdays.
Here is an easy to follow guide for those who wish to redeem their 2022 guest passes:
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
You can keep up to date using our dedicated Match Center via this website and on our Twitter feed.
A live stream broadcast will also be available for fans to watch via this website and our YouTube channel.
In addition to this a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted after the close.
HEAD TO HEAD
The two sides met in the County Championship on 123 occasions. Somerset have won 30 of the matches, Northamptonshire have won 36 times, 55 matches have been drawn and two have been abandoned.
The highest team total in the series for Somerset is 650 at Taunton in 2001, while for Northamptonshire it is 681 for five declared also at Taunton in 2003.
The highest individual innings for Somerset is 284 by Marcus Trescothick at Northampton in 2007, while for Northants it is 331 not out by Mike Hussey at Taunton in 2003.
The best bowling for Somerset is eight for 41 by Brian Langford at Northampton in 1961, while for Northants it is eight for 28 by David Larter at Northampton in 1965.
The last time the two sides met in First Class cricket was in the 2020 Bob Willis Trophy at Northampton. It was a match that Somerset won by 167 runs.
Tom Abell won the toss and elected to bat first, but Somerset slipped to seven for three. Jack Brooks top scored with 36 but Ben Sanderson claimed five for 28 as the visitors were dismissed for 166.
The bowlers dominated again during the Northamptonshire first innings as the hosts were blown away for just 67. Craig Overton was the pick of the bowlers, claiming four for 12 from 11 overs whilst Josh Davey took three for 23.
Half centuries from the Overton twins ensured that Somerset scored 222 in their second innings.
Jamie Overton and Jack Brooks then both claimed four wickets as Northamptonshire were all out for 154 as Somerset wrapped up the win within two days.
TEAM NEWS
Craig Overton returns to the squad, but Jack Leach remains unavailable.
Somerset Head Coach, Jason Kerr has named the following squad: Tom Abell (c), Kasey Aldridge, Tom Banton, George Bartlett, Jack Brooks, Josh Davey, Lewis Goldsworthy, Lewis Gregory, Imam-ul-Haq, Tom Lammonby, Craig Overton , James Rew, Sajid Khan and Roelof van der Merwe.
VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the game, Jason Kerr said: “I think we can take a lot from the Warwickshire game. Being 80 for seven on day one and going on to post a first innings lead and being in a position to win the game was pleasing. Unfortunately we couldn’t quite get over the line but there were some fantastic performances both individually and collectively as a unit. We need to take that confidence into the Northants game this week.
“We’ll approach this match the same way that we always do. We’ll pick the eleven that we think gives us the best opportunity to win the game. We know that we’re in a precarious situation, but it’s important that we concentrate on playing our game out in the middle.
“Northants have played some really good cricket this year. They were under pressure against title-chasing Surrey last week and came away with a high scoring draw. We know that we will need to be up for the fight.
“Craig Overton is added to the squad that we took to Warwickshire and he’ll continue to be assessed, but unfortunately Jack Leach has been made unavailable for the remainder of the season.”
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you are coming to the match all the information that you need can be found in our comprehensive match-day information page.
This covers everything from planning your journey to where you eat when you get here.
JAMES HILDRETH STAND
A ceremony will take place during the lunch interval on the opening day of this fixture during which the River Stand will be renamed The James Hildreth Stand in honor of James’ outstanding contribution to the Club throughout his career.
FORMER PLAYERS EVENT
Working alongside the Former Somerset Players Association, we have invited former players to attend one day of this fixture as our guests. Several of these players will be joining us so keep an eye out for some Somerset legends!
NEXT MATCH
Somerset’s next match begins on Monday September 26th when we take on Kent at The Spitfire Ground, Canterbury in the LV= Insurance County Championship.
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