Somerset vs Middlesex, VITALITY T20 BLAST 2023, Today Match Prediction

som vs mdx Match Prediction & Analysis

Somerset are back to Taunton for another home game as they take on Middlesex who are yet to win a match in T20 Blast 2023. It will be a tough challenge for the visitors who have struggled with the bat except for a few top-order players. 

Eskinazi is in good touch and looks promising in the Middlesex lineup along with his opening partner Joe Cracknell. Luke Hollman played a brilliant knock at number 5 against Gloucestershire as Middlesex lost by 2 runs.

A few more good performances from the batting lineup and Middlesex will taste their first victory of the season. It won’t be easy against the in-form bowling lineup of Somerset that features Matt Henry, Peter Siddle, Lewis Gregory, and Ben Green.

If the visitors lose their openers cheaply, they will find themselves in all sorts of trouble and though there are some promising batters in the middle order, a recovery will not be easy.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Somerset Preview

Somerset look invincible at the moment with four back to back wins. The bowlers deserve the credit for Somerset’s winning run. In their last match, Somerset were bowled out for just 154 runs batting first. 

After the overs and the target for the opposition was adjusted as per DLS method, Somerset were defending a 125-run target from 15 Overs, which is not a big one in T20 cricket. 

Siddle, Gregory, and Ben Green picked 7 wickets among themselves as Somerset bowled out Kent for 112 runs. Prior to that win, the bowlers managed to restrict Glamorgan to 153 in Taunton that paved the way for Somerset’s 3rd straight win of the season.

Tom Banton’s 54 off 28 set them up well in the run-chase. Will Smeed and Banton will be looking to attack the bowlers right up front. Banton has been in an attacking mode since the first game. Another big-hitting player in this side is Cohler-Cadmore at number 3.

Even if Somerset lose one of their openers, he will ensure the run rate is maintained with his big-hitting. Tom Abell and Lammoby are reliable middle order players who can build partnerships to take the game deep and help Somerset get over the line.

Somerset Predicted Playing XI:

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

Somerset Actual Playing XI:

Tom Lammonby, Peter Siddle, Tom Kohler Cadmore, Ben Green, Lewis Gregory, Thomas Abell, Craig Overton, Josh Davey, RE Van Der Merwe, Will Smeed, Tom Banton

Middlesex Preview

Steve Eksinazi must be disappointed with the effort from the rest of his team. He is the only consistent player with the bat. He’s scored back to back fifties in the last two matches and scored 31 off 18 before that.

In the recent outings, his opening partner Joe Cracknell also looked in good touch with scores of 77 and 42. The openers’ form is great news for Middlesex. A good start can set them up for a big total.

However, that is not enough. The middle order needs to step up and deliver, especially at the death. Without a good finisher, none of the top-order effort will make any difference when it comes to winning games.

Luke Hollman and Ryan Higgins are two key players in the middle order with this responsibility. These two added 55 runs for the 5th wicket while chasing a 182-run target against Gloucestershire.

When the partnership ended, Middlesex needed just 12 more runs to win from 12 balls. But Ryan Higgins and the new batter on crease John Simpson failed to achieve this modest task as Middlesex lost by 2 runs.

Finishing is a major concern in this batting lineup and Eskniazi would be expecting better from his players. There is no consistency from the bowlers and there’s no one reliable in the bowling attack. Nevertheless, Tom Helm, Blake Cullen, and Luke Hollman will be the key bowlers to watch out for.

Middlesex Predicted Playing XI:

Stephen Eskinazi (c), Joe Cracknell, Max Holden, Pieter Malan, Luke Hollman, Ryan Higgins, Jack Davies (wk), Martin Andersson, Nathan Fernandes, Tom Helm, Blake Cullen

Middlesex Actual Playing XI:

Toby Roland-Jones, Max Holden, Tom Helm, Luke Hollman, Martin Andersson, Nathan Fernandes, Joe Cracknell, Pieter Malan, Ryan Higgins, Stephen Eskinazi, Jack Davies

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It is a balanced pitch that offers a good contest between the bat and the ball. Though batters have enjoyed playing here over the years, if the bowlers can land the ball in the right areas, they can put the batters in trouble. It will be partly cloudy in Taunton on the match day with a high of 21 degrees Celsius. These conditions can benefit the swing bowlers.

Venue Details

The Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton will be the venue for this contest. The average 1st innings score at this ground is 175 runs. That shows there is plenty for the batters early in the game on this pitch. A 185+ score should be a match-winning total for team batting first. Not many teams have managed to chase down 170+ at this venue. 

Toss: To Bat

Teams batting first have the upperhand at this venue. Though Somerset won both games batting second this season, last year 6 of the 8 games went in favor of team batting first. Given the kind of bowling attack the home team has, they would be comfortable defending a total, and Eskinazi hasn’t got the luxury of a match-finisher, and would rather defend a score than chase.