T20 Blast 2023: Sussex vs Somerset – South Group Match Preview and Updates

Cricket

Sussex will kick off their season against Somerset at the Country Ground in Hove. After finishing seventh in the South Group with four wins from 14 games last season, the Sharks will be hoping to get off to a winning start this season.

Somerset, who were defeated by Hampshire in the semi-finals, have started the season with a resounding victory over the defending champions. In the last seven matches at the County Ground, Hove, the average first innings score has been 168 runs. Spinners are the bowlers who have had the most success at this venue.

Even in high-scoring games, they have been frugal. Shadab Khan’s all-round abilities will be crucial for the home team, while Somerset’s pace attack of Matt Henry, Craig Overton, and Peter Siddle will be lethal.

The South Group Match between Sussex vs Somerset will take place on May 26th, 2023 at County Ground, Hove.

Match Details to Note

Match: Sussex vs Somerset, South Group Match, T20 Blast 2023

Date: May 26, 2023 (Friday)

Time: 11:30 PM IST

Venue: County Ground, Hove

Sussex vs Somerset

Sussex (Match Odds – 2.20):

Preview:

Sussex This season, the Sharks’ roster has undergone significant changes. And they will be hoping to rebound from a disappointing campaign last year.

Sussex have released Rizwan, their top scorer last season, and replaced him with all-rounder Shadab Khan. Rashid Khan, who was exceptional with his leg-break, especially at this venue, is another big loss for the Sharks.

Khan is replaced by Nathan McAndrew, a promising Australian pacer. Jofra Archer will not be in the Sharks’ camp because he sustained another injury during the IPL and is now ruled out of the Blast.

Last year, the Sharks tried a variety of opening combinations. Along with Rizwan, Josh Phillippe is out of the squad, so we’ll have to find a new opening pair.

Ali Orr and Harrison Ward are the most likely openers, followed by Tom Aslop and Ravi Bopara at 3 and 4. We believe Sussex will bat Shadab Khan and batting all-rounder George Garton in the lower middle order.

It appears to be a solid batting lineup with plenty of talent. All they need to do is find their groove early on. They will face one of the T20 Blast’s most potent bowling attacks. Frontline bowlers Ollie Robinson, Nathan McAndrew, and Tymal Mills stand out in this Sussex squad.

Full Squad:

Tom Haines, Stiaan van Zyl, Tom Clark, Delray Rawlins, Ollie Robinson, George Garton, Jack Carson, JP Sarro, Jamie Atkins, Sean Hunt, Alastair Orr, Henry Crocombe, Will Beer, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Steven Finn, Tom Alsop, Steve Smith, Cheteshwar Pujara (India), Shadab Khan, Nathan McAndrew

Possible Playing XI:

Ali Orr, Harrison Ward, Top Aslop (wk), Ravi Bopara (c), Shadab Khan, George Garton, Delray Rawlins, Ollie Robinson, Tymal Mills, Steven Finn, Archie Lenham

Somerset (Match Odds – 1.67):

Preview:

Lewis Gregory will be ecstatic as his team began their season with a victory over the defending champions, Hampshire Hawks. After Somerset decided to bowl, the bowlers were all over the opposition.

Craig Overton finished with 3 for 8 in 4 Overs as Somerset bowled Hampshire out for 74 runs. Somerset chased the target in 57 balls thanks to Tom Banton’s quickfire 40 off 24 balls.

Somerset last played Sussex at Taunton, where the latter posted a 200+ total and successfully defended it. That was Sussex Sharks’ only win away from home that season.

Nonetheless, Somerset will be coming off a brilliant home win, and they will be playing at a venue where the Sharks have struggled the most. Somerset will need Tom Banton to get off to a good start.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore is known for his power, and he will be expected to make an impact at number three. Will Smeed, who opens alongside Banton, adds to the top order’s strength.

The middle order looks solid as well, with Tom Abel at number four, and it goes deep with all-rounders until number eight. Somerset will have the advantage coming here because they have a balanced overall team with in-form players.

Full Squad:

Tom Lammonby, Tom Abell, George Bartlett, Lewis Goldsworthy, Steven Davies, Josh Davey, Roelof van der Merwe, Craig Overton, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sean Dickson, Shoaib Bashir (Berkshire), Peter Siddle, Cameron Bancrof, Matt Henry

Possible Playing XI:

Will Smeed, Tom Banton (wk), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Abell, Tom Lammonby, Lewis Gregory (c), Ben Green, Roelof van der Merwe, Craig Overton, Matt Henry, Peter Siddle

Sussex vs Somerset Batsmen Worth Watching

Ravi Bopara, an experienced former England international, will be full of confidence heading into this game after hitting an incredible 144 off 49 balls in a 2nd XI T20 game on Tuesday. The side’s top two batters will be Tom Alsop and Tom Haines.

After the bowlers had done all of the hard work in the first half of the game, Tom Banton took advantage of the opportunity to get his season off to a strong start at the top of the order, scoring 40 runs off 24 balls against Hampshire Hawks. Somerset have a strong batting lineup, which has been bolstered by Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s singing.

Sussex vs Somerset Bowlers Worth Watching

Tymal Mills will lead the Sussex Sharks’ bowling attack in this game and throughout the tournament, while Steven Finn, George Garton, Nathan McAndrew of Australia, and Shadab Khan of Pakistan are all top performers in this format. At Hove, there is always turn and movement off the pitch for the bowlers.

Despite conceding only 10 runs in his two overs, Peter Siddle’s bowling figures were the worst of the team on Wednesday, as Hampshire were bowled out for 74 in 17 overs. Craig Overton and Ben Green each had three wickets, while Lewis Gregory and Matt Henry each had two.

Sussex vs Somerset Toss Prediction

Teams batting first have won four of the last seven matches at this venue. Only twice in these outings did a team successfully chase a 160+ total. With the bowling attack that both teams have, they should be able to defend a decent score on this ground.

Sussex vs Somerset Pitch Report

Sussex Sharks’ home ground, the County Ground in Hove, will host the first game of the season. In all domestic T20s played on this ground, the average first innings score is 168 runs. We anticipate a match-winning total of more than 180 runs at this venue.

It appears to be a balanced pitch with assistance for both batters and bowlers. It is not a high-scoring surface, but it allows for stroke making if the batters time it correctly. Spinners can enjoy bowling here, as evidenced by the previous season. In Hove, the weather forecast calls for a clear day with a high of 17 degrees Celsius.

Sussex vs Somerset Prediction

Sussex On paper, the Sharks appear to be as strong as they were last season. The few changes to their squad are also promising, and if these players tick all of the right boxes, the Sharks can go a long way in the tournament. The visitors are riding high after their recent victory and will present a difficult challenge with the ball. Given the bowling strengths of both teams, this match will be exciting. Given the current form and Sharks’ home performances, the visiting Somerset will have a slight advantage in this contest. Check out the odds at Cricbaba!

Somerset is the favourite to beat Sussex at the odds of 1.67.