Hampshire vs Somerset: County Championship 2025 Preview

Match Details

• Date: April 18, 2025
• Time: 11:00 GMT
• Venue: The Rose Bowl, Southampton

Recent Form & Head-to-Head

Hampshire and Somerset are set to clash in a crucial County Championship Division One encounter. Both teams will be looking to build momentum as the tournament progresses.

Head-to-Head

In their last five encounters over the past three years, Hampshire has dominated Somerset, winning six out of seven matches. This psychological edge could prove valuable for Hampshire on Thursday.

Key Players

Hampshire

1. Mark Stoneman – A consistent opener who averages above 40 in County Championship cricket.
2. Tom Prest – An aggressive top-order batter with the ability to change the game quickly.
3. Liam Dawson – A key all-rounder whose bowling and batting contributions are vital for Hampshire.

Somerset

1. Tom Banton – A young, dynamic opener who has shown promise in recent seasons.
2. Lewis Gregory – The cornerstone of Somerset’s attack, with the ability to swing the ball both ways.
3. Jack Leach – A steady left-arm spinner who takes consistent wickets.

Pitch Report

The Rose Bowl is expected to provide a true batting surface for this match.

• Batting: Expect high scores as the pitch favors batters, with minimal wear and tear early on.
• Bowling: Pacers will have something to work with initially, but spinners might come into play as the game progresses.

Probable Playing XI

Hampshire

1. Mark Stoneman
2. Tom Prest
3. James Vince
4. Joe Weatherley
5. Daniel Nevill
6. Liam Dawson (wk)
7. Ryan Higgins
8. Tom Alsop
9. Max O’Donnell
10. Matt Fisher
11. Ben Green

Somerset

1. Tom Banton
2. Danial Bell-Drummond
3. Jack Leach
4. Travis Head
5. Will Smeed
6. Lewis Gregory
7. Mitchell Claydon
8. Ed Barnsley
9. Ben Green (wk)
10. Josh Davey
11. James Hildreth

Prediction

Hampshire’s dominance over Somerset in recent years, coupled with their strong batting lineup and all-rounder options, gives them the edge in this match. However, Somerset’s ability to bowl first and apply pressure could complicate things.

Predicted Outcome: Hampshire by 100 runs

Conclusion

This will be an exciting clash between two teams aiming to climb up the County Championship table. With a true batting surface at The Rose Bowl, both sides will look to dominate with the bat and impose pressure on their opponents. Expect a high-scoring game with plenty of twists and turns!
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