Hampshire vs Somerset, VITALITY T20 BLAST 2022, Today Match Prediction 16 July 2022

ham vs som Match Prediction & Analysis

We are into the second semifinal of the Vitality T20 Blast 2022 and Hampshire Hawks have a big challenge taking on last year’s finalist Somerset. Both sides come into this game with big wins. The Hawks defeated the Birmingham Bears in the last game in a one-sided show. Somerset on the other hand set up a new record that would be hard to beat in their last game against Derbyshire Falcons.  

The two sides had shared the honors in the league stage winning a game each earlier in the season. In the past, we have seen an excellent rivalry though Somerset has had an upper hand. However, past performance wouldn’t count much in this winner-takes-it-all contest. We expect to see a close game where key players on either side would have to be at their best.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Hampshire Preview

It has been a remarkable tournament for James Vince’s side. They started with four losses and have picked up steam since then. The side has come into the semifinal in style defeating the Birmingham Bears by 104 runs in the quarterfinal. They have had a great rivalry against Somerset in the past and Vince would like his side to drive the momentum and make it to their first final in 10 years.  

Ben McDermott and Vince delivered a good start in the last game and the pair would look to do the same here. Tom Prest hasn’t looked good this year and he will have to gain his form in this important game and build partnerships with Joe Weatherley and Ross Whiteley. James Fuller and Liam Dawson have good striking abilities and they would aim to add quick runs down the order.  

Their bowlers come here with excellent performance through they have been inconsistent in this department. The side would like to see early wickets in this game from Nathan Ellis and Chris Wood. Brad Wheal, Dawson, and Fuller bowled well in the last game. Fuller would have to do well in the middle overs after his great spell in the last game. Mason Crane adds depth to this bowling attack.

Hampshire Predicted Playing XI:

James Vince (c), Ben McDermott (wk), Tom Prest, Joe Weatherley, Ross Whiteley, James Fuller, Liam Dawson, Nathan Ellis, Chris Wood, Mason Crane, Brad Wheal

Hampshire Actual Playing XI:

Mason Crane, James Vince, Nathan Ellis, Bradley Wheal, Joe Weatherley, Tom Prest, Liam Dawson, James Fuller, Ross Whiteley, Ben McDermott, Chris Wood

Somerset Preview

Tom Abell’s side established a new record in the lead-up to this game defeating the Derbyshire Falcons by 191 runs in the quarterfinals. It was a dream game for the team as their batsmen and bowlers delivered at their best. This game would be a tough one for the team and they would be eying a spot in the final for the second consecutive season.  

They have a strong opening combination in Will Smeed and Tom Banton and the pair would look to deliver a strong start. Rilee Rossouw destroyed the bowling attack in the last game, and he would aim to repeat the magic by adding runs in the middle order with Abell and Lewis Gregory. The side has clean hitters of the ball in Tom Lammonby, Roelof van der Merwe and Ben Green and they would be eager to perform here.  

Craig Overton’s return has strengthened their bowling and he would aim to get early breakthroughs along with Josh Davey. Peter Siddle brings lots of experience and the side would expect him to check the flow of runs in the middle overs along with Lewis Gregory. Green and van der Merwe add variety to this attack making it strong.

Somerset Predicted Playing XI:

Tom Abell (c), Will Smeed, Tom Banton (wk), Rilee Rossouw, Tom Lammonby, Lewis Gregory, Ben Green, Roelof van der Merwe, Craig Overton, Josh Davey, Peter Siddle

Somerset Actual Playing XI:

RR Rossouw, Tom Lammonby, Peter Siddle, Ben Green, Lewis Gregory, Thomas Abell, RE Van Der Merwe, Will Smeed, Jack Brooks, Lewis Goldsworthy, Tom Banton

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The skies over Birmingham would be clear on July 16. The wicket would be flat as we have seen in the last couple of games where it would be easy for the batsmen to play their strokes. Bowlers would struggle on this wicket and the side batting first would need 180 runs on the board to feel safe.

Venue Details

Edgbaston, Birmingham has a fast wicket where the ball comes into the bat well allowing batsmen to play their strokes easily on this surface. Fast bowlers also generate good bounce and pace from the surface and have done well. Spinners have struggled on this wicket as there isn’t much for them on offer.

Toss: To Bat

The wicket is expected to be flat here and we have seen sides win by more than a hundred runs in the last two games. It is expected to slow down in the second half of the game. The side winning the toss would look to take advantage of the conditions by opting to bat first in the game.