Somerset are scheduled to face old enemy Gloucestershire tomorrow evening in the first of this season’s two T20 Blast encounters but if the weather forecast is correct the points will have to be shared.
The latest forecast predicts rain throughout the day with little prospect of enough of a clearance around game time so we may all be very frustrated that the chance to continue the momentum of the last three games is taken away from Tom Abell’s side.
Gloucestershire, having convincingly beaten Hampshire on Tuesday evening in Bristol, are currently a point ahead of Somerset in fourth having played one game more. A victory for Somerset would put them in a strong position to finish above their neighbours especially as Somerset’s net run rate is significantly better tha all but Sussex in the group.
The enticing prospect of finishing in the top two and qualifying for a home quarter-final still exists for Somerset who
Middlesex, currently second, don’t play again until after the next round of championship games they then have to play Hampshire twice, the visit of Sussex and their trip to Taunton to complete their group games
Kent travel to leaders Sussex tomorrow and then host Surrey and Gloucestershire before finishing with a trip to Chelmsford.
So Somerset will need to be targeting four wins from their remaining five games which would give them 18 points leaving Kent and Middlesex needing to get 6 points each from their remaining four games to guarantee finishing ahead of the Cidermen.
There is another interesting story developing in the north group where leaders Lancashire will not be able to play their home quarter-final at Old Trafford because of the fourth test. With no viable out-ground to host the TV and media requirements it seems likely that they will have to cede home advantage to their opponents from the south group.
