Somerset vs Essex: June 9, Vitality Blast T20 2021 Prediction

Match: Somerset vs Essex

Date: 9 June 2021

Place (venue): The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.

Tournament: Vitality Blast 2021

Format: Twenty20 match

Caption: Who gets to start the season with a win, Somerset or Essex?

Key Stats:

• In the Vitality Blast series, Somerset and Essex have only won one title each. Somerset won it in 2005 and Essex won it in 2019. When these two teams are compared, Essex has won a more recent tournament.
• Devon Conway is the latest addition to this Somerset squad. Though he won’t be available in the initial few matches of the season, he will be a key player for Somerset. Another New Zealand player, Jimmy Neesham, has been signed by Essex for this season.
• In the past 5 matches between the two teams, Somerset have heavily dominated. Somerset have won 4 out of 5 games against Essex.

Match Preview

Somerset and Essex will enter a head-to-head match in Vitality Blast 2021 on 9 June 2021 at The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton. Though this is an inaugural match for both teams this season, it will be important for both teams to start this season with a win and earn valuable points.

In this Vitality Blast season, Somerset have made some new additions to their roasters. The key change is the addition of Devon Conway to the squad. This has increased the strength of the batting unit for Somerset. Essex has also signed New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham, which will improve Essex’s both batting and bowling performance.

Somerset Preview

The first match of this season will be very important for Somerset as they will get an opportunity to test their playing 11. Somerset hasn’t won the title for a long period and they would want to win this match and set the right tone for the whole season.

Tom Abell and Babar Azam form the opening pair for Somerset. Both batsmen are capable enough to provide Somerset with a quick start. Babar Azam has been demonstrating excellent form and we might see a few brilliant knocks from him this season. He is rightly placed among the top batsmen in international cricket currently. Tom Banton, Eddie Byrom and Josh Davey form the middle order of this batting unit. The weaker middle-order batting has been a cause of worry for Somerset in previous seasons. The addition of Devon Conway to this batting unit will increase its strength. James Hildreth has been the highest run-scorer for Somerset, it would be expected of him to step up and score runs for his team this season.

Roelof van der Merwe is the key bowler in the Somerset bowling lineup. Max Waller and Lewis Gregory have been successful in claiming wickets from time to time in past matches.

Though Somerset appears to have a balanced squad, they have a few weaknesses in their middle order and bowling unit. If Somerset wish to win this match against Essex, they will have to perform as a unit and execute their plans perfectly.

Top players for Somerset:

Somerset’s Playing XI: 

Tom Abell, Babar Azam, Tom Banton (wk), Eddie Byrom, Steve Davies, Lewis Gregory (c), James Hildreth, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Roelof van der Merwe, Max Waller.

Essex Preview

This first game of the Vitality Blast 2021 will be important for Essex as they would want to once again win the title this year after their first title win in 2019. Essex is one of the most balanced sides in this tournament.

The key batsmen in Essex’s batting unit are Varun Chopra, Tom Westly and Ryan ten Doeschate. The recent addition of Jimmy Neesham to their batting unit will bolster the batting strength of the team. And Neesham is no muck with the ball as well. Cameron Delport can also make some contributions to his team’s success.

Besides batting, Ryan ten Doeschate has also been impressive with the ball as he has been successful in claiming regular wickets for Essex. Simon Harmer and Matthew Quinn are the key bowlers in Essex’s bowling lineup.

Key Players for Essex: 

Essex’s Probable Playing XI:

Adam Wheater (wk), Sam Cook, Varun Chopra, Tom Westley, Jimmy Neesham, Ryan ten Doeschate, Cameron Delport, Simon Harmer (c), Jack Plom, Matthew Quinn, Aaron Beard.

Venue

The venue for this match is The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton. This venue will give home advantage to Somerset and that makes them a more favourable side in this contest against Essex.

Toss Info

The team winning the toss should choose to chase at this venue as they can properly plan and execute their plans once they understand the pitch’s behaviour at this venue and have a target in sight.

Pitch and Weather Report

According to the forecast, the weather will be clear. The ground temperature will be between 23 °C and 12 °C at its highest and lowest points. Perfect conditions to play the game of cricket.

Our Prediction

Based on the previous records and the home advantage, the current situation is heavily in favour of Somerset over Essex. It will take some efforts from Essex to emerge victorious in this contest.

We predict that Somerset will defeat Essex.

Disclaimer: Our match previews are fully researched but as per the nature of the game, anything is possible on the match day. So, the statistical data will change. You are advised to decide for yourself when betting on a team. Thanks.