Squad and CC1- Nearly there people
By Grockle
March 8 2025
In 20 days time we start the run up to the season with a 3 day friendly with Gloucestershire at Taunton. The staff changes and additions have probably been made and we will go with what we now have. So what do we have and how is that going to pan out at the beginning of our 150th Anniversary season. We all start March with "I wonder if this is THE one"? 2025... Is this IT?
2025 The season we have always wanted?
Somerset are going into every season now with more things facing them than the last year. As the probable leader of the 'non host' sector of the domestic cricket sector that the ECB has created, we have to succeed each year.
Last year we were prominent in all the major domestic competitions despite losing 12 of our first team plus coaching staff to the one tournament we are not allowed into as a non urban 'provincial' county. We are 150 years into this and we still strive to reach the pinnacle of the Championship despite the fact that we have been second in the competition on many, many occasions in this century. It is still the 'Holy Grail' of the Somerset supporter and a number of people would like to get there while the tournament still has a relevance to cricket in England and Wales.
I'm sure we'll discuss the changes taking place and the effect of new 'private investors' into the ECB's main supposedly 'premier' format. However, we are 2 weeks from the season and we need to look at where we are at the start of what could be an important year.
THE SQUAD - ins, outs, when and for what
We start with 4 day games - 7 before the end of May, 3 at home starting with Worcestershire and 4 away. We will not see George Thomas who was not retained and has now moved to Sussex after a period of time looking at playing in Wales in the summer. Along with him we have also said goodbye to Ned Leonard who has gone across the channel to sell his skills to the Welsh and Sonny Baker who decided to take the Hampshire 'dollar' and move to Southampton. We wish them all well though not against us, especially in the first part of April in terms of trips to Hove and the Aegis Bowl
Roelof van der Merwe would not have been involved in this part of the season but he has decided to leave the county a year early anyway by ending his white ball contract early. We'll look a little harder at that when we start to consider Blast season but we cannot go forward without thanking the mad Dutchman for his performances and the memories he leaves at Taunton. Expect to see him on the wall very soon.
Ben Green has realistically looked at the chances of playing four day cricket at Taunton early in the year and will be on loan with Leicestershire for the first 7 games. Many were surprised that he did not move there in the winter and this may become a more permanent move in 2026 but he obviously still sees his white ball career here for the moment. We'll look at why his Spring move is 'realistic' in this piece.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore will be involved in the 74 games of the IPL from 22 March and is initially in India until 18 May - it will then depend on the playoffs when we see him but he will obviously not be part of our present Championship campaign - he was struggling to hold on to a place in the side in 2024 anyway but he will not feature in anything in the first phase this year.
Will Smeed has re-negotiated his 2025 contract to return to multi-format county cricket with the county. After his injury in the league phase of the Blast last year, he had a pretty quiet winter but did end the season in 2024 looking at 4 day cricket. He has decided that he is not doing himself any favours staying out of the longer format and I have to agree with him. It adds an interesting extra factor to red ball side selection
In terms of overseas additions for the 2025 season we have what we hoped for first of all as Matt Henry is returning from 7 April until the 25th of June. That means he will not be available for the first game of the season but should be in the mix from there through the Blast league sessions at least. He is presently doubtful to play in the Sunday Champions Trophy Final in Dubai after falling heavily on his shoulder during the semi final but we hope that is a minor injury that simoply hasn't got well quick enough. Keep your fingers crossed.
Migual Pretorius also returns to Taunton for the whole season and that is a really good extra to what was expected. He is not specific to any particular format and therefore is a squad member for all games. We need that flexibility and we know he will work hard at a county he really enjoys playing for. His bowling and his late tail batting won't do us any harm and he could be useful in the later 50 over tournament as well as a real addition of pace on a rota basis to rest others.
Riley Meredith is also returning from the Blast onwards (the end date seems negotiable). He may be available for the CC1 games in the T20 phase and even possibly games in September but he will not be part of the initial campaign in April and May.
No domestic additions to the squad have arrived but one would expect another year of development has added to the importance of Alfie Ogborne, Josh Thomas and JT Langridge as full members of the squad.
The movements of Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir and Tom Banton in relation to England will all have to be reviewed as the international schedule folds out. Congratulations to them, for their continued and renewed involvement. If they are chosen we can only hope it isn't as drinks waiters. Alongside that we have James and Thomas Rew, Archie Vaughan and Kasey Aldridge being involved at 'Lions' level so their availability may be variable at times. One mention there is that Thomas Rew should be a new factor in the Metro 50 this year in August and that is exciting as well.
APRIL/MAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Our first phase of the domestic season sees us looking to solve the issues in our red ball line-up that make us the best side in the league rather than the strongest 'also ran' behind the winners - usually Surrey. We do not make the most of the first innings in these games and that means a lack of batting bonus points and draws instead of wins at important times a problem for us at the back end of the series in September when we are jaded and too far behind the leaders to make up the ground. We need consistent and solid first innings totals and that means we need the thing we have not had for a number of years, a good reliable opening partnership.
The playing squad for this part of the season numbers about 20 players. Except for the first fixture, a number of players would be expected to start games unless others show great improvement or injury stops them from playing
Number 1 Archie Vaughan (assuming he is one of the opening pair)
Number 2 ??
Number 3 - Tom Lammonby (please don't move him to number 2. He has made this his place, he is confident here, he is reliable here and he is suited to the first change bat.) Psychologically this is HIS spot.
Number 4 - Tom Abell
Number 5 ??
Number 6 James Rew
Number 7 Lewis Gregory
Number 8 Craig Overton
Number 9 Matt Henry (after April 7)
Number 10 Jack Leach
Number 11 ??
Effectively we have 2 questions related to the start of the 4 day campaign;
Batting Question
- that will determine the position of 2 batsmen in the side and who they are - the questions is..."who will open with Vaughan" With the hope that the Vaughan experiment works in his second and first full season.
We have a number of players who can operate at number 5 primarily. Tom Banton, Sean Dickson, Andrew Umeed, Lewis Goldsworthy, Will Smeed. One of them will have to open. The only one that hasn't been tried there is Smeed who has just returned to the equation and won't be ready for Game number one if ever.
The selectors keep going back to Dickson who, when given the authority to pick a number 2 as captain of the Metro 50, doesn't pick himself. Umeed was primarily an opener when we signed him but admits himself that he likes it further down the order. However, if he gets past the first 10 overs, he can stabalise an innings and has become more expansive in 2024 (though not always successfully). He is also our most successful opener in a format over the last 2 seasons.
Goldsworthy is a confidence batsman and can do a job on a regular basis if we find the right place for him but that is important. Some may suggest moving Abell up the order and looking at Lewis Jr for the number 4 spot. It's an option. Wherever Lewis finds himself he has to stamp his authority on the position or he may be wafting in and out of sides for the season.
Banton has to play in this line-up. He was our best bat of 2024 and we missed him when he injured his leg in a footy warmup. Is number 5 too late for his type of innings? Is number 2 too early for it. Looking at his one game in the Champions Trophy and his work in Winter T20 tournaments have to say 'sooner rather than later' works for me. Bants could be good for Archie as well as he is our most experienced opener in all formats. I'd like to see him start as the other opener and then decide who to use at number 5. For me it is a toss up between Umeed and Goldsworthy. If they both fail? Hello Josh Thomas come and have a go.
Bowling Question
Here it's simple "who is the fourth seamer?" There isn't really a question about the spinning option. There will only be one of them and he will be Jack Leach if he is available. If we need a second spinner, it will be a batting one so Archie, Lewis Jr or Josh Thomas. Bash may find himself going out on loan for 4 day experience in the spring of 2025 - can't see him playing at Taunton unless Leachy is injured.
So we have a 'plethora' of seamers for that Number 11 spot. Pretorius, Ball, Davey, Ogborne, Aldridge, Langridge. It will probably be too early for Alfie and JT but they may rise to the top during 2025. On April 4 we will need to fill two spots. Kasey will probably fill one because of his extra batting aspect but he has to show far more penetration that last year if he is to keep his spot in this side. Migael will be looking to start well and establish himself in this format. The attack may be samey with Cove, Matt and Miggy P so he may find himself in a rota setup but if he takes wickets he may move ahead of Josh and Jake who are both older and more injury prone. Putting Davey in immediately is probably not as instinctive any more because Josh has been plagued by injury in the last couple of seasons and there may very well be a varied number of fourth seamers this season depending on who is though to be the best for the pitches we face. I'd put Davey ahead of Ball at the start of the season but this position may well be up for grabs by the bowler who wants it most and these guys may play based on who is fit at any point in time.
So my first eleven would be
Vaughan, Banton, Lammonby, Abell, Umeed, Rew, Gregory, Aldridge, Overton, Pretorius, Leach
It's a moveable feast and it will be interesting who gets a go in the friendly and during the warm up in Abu Dhabi
See you all at the start of the season. Is this THE ONE?
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:28:11:06:07 by Grockle.
2. Goldsworthy/Smeed (a tad unlikely to be realistic !)
3. Lammonby
4. Abell
5. Banton
6. Rew
7. Gregory
8. Overton
9. Pretorius/Aldridge
10. Henry
11. Leach
As I said, I think Archie may need a level of experience with him in his early games
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:08:21:12:58 by Grockle.
But it gives him about a month to get right for Sussex
If Smeed has been shaping up well in the nets, I would be inclined to give him a shot at an opening berth.
But that is what we have warm ups, friendlies and coaches for
Aldridge, I think, will be a rotation choice so that Gregory and Overton are not over-used.
As for Archie’s opening partner, I would start with Goldsworthy, keeping everything crossed that he fulfils his potential. There is a real player there, but he needs early runs to bolster his self belief.
If that Lewis G Jr turns up early he works for me. If not then anyone but going back to Sean Dickson for me to be honest.
Sean is strongest in the middle order IF he is a first choice bat. Andy Umeed needs to stop being daft in the first 12 overs if he is to open. If not then again he is a middle order choice if he is also in the top eleven
The issue is not really which of our many middle order bats plays between Tom Abell and James Rew. It's which one has the sense to modify their game to be an opening bat.
This is also assuming that Archie is still preferred as an opener. If that has changed then the only none of the top five is a definite though I am firmly of the belief that the one they shoiuld leave alone is Tom Lammonby at 3.
The outstanding batting performer in the T20 matches in AD (just edging it over Rew) who signed for us as an experienced top order red ball batsman but couldn’t get runs to save his life and rarely gets a chance in the T20 team. He appears to be relaxed and full of confidence.
In spite of comments above, could a confident, in form SD be given one more shot at opening in CC games? All of the alternatives involve an element of finger crossing but at least Sean is seeing the ball well at the moment.
The selection for the two day game will probably knock this suggestion firmly on the head…or not!
[deepextracover.com]
It was interesting to see that Harry Everett is also suggesting Dickson as an opener.
I have faith there is a place for Sean in our side. I personally don't think it's at number 2. Who should be? Well I've outlined my thinking but I don't think it is certain yet because none of the candidates have stamped their name on the shirt yet.
[www.oddschecker.com]
Would that be good, or bad ? Discuss....
(That would make a good 'O' level English assignment. Or whatever they are called these days !).
Grizzers
A somewhat convoluted response followed, with the conclusion that Tom Lammonby & Sean Dickson will open, with Archie dispensed to the middle order.
Methinks the development of A.I. has some way to go !...........
[x.com]
Grizzers
Unless there is some CA mandate preventing him from playing, then surely he would provide a useful alternative to our other seamers if required.
Archie
Lammers
Abell
Banton
Rew
Kasey
Craig
Henry
Davey
Leach
Worth a try I'd say.
Anyone shocked by that?
How many counties will he play for during his Somerset career?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:21:10:24:50 by Grockle.
Davey, Overton, Ogborne, Leach, Bashir, Vaughan, Green, all got a spell even though 2 of those won't be around for us in a couple of weeks as Ben is off to Leicestershire for Phase 1 of the Championship and Bash is crossing the Channel to Wales for at least most of April
Lewis Gregory also took part though it isn't clear whether he bowled at all after not being involved in any of the T20 games earlier in the Abu Dhabi visit. James Rew was also involved and took 5 catches.
No idea who the other two of the eleven were but it does look like it may be a 'more than eleven' red ball game with each side getting a bowling and batting day in the 2 dayer.
Yorkshire Day 1
Somerset seem to have opened with Dickson and Umeed with Lammonby and Goldsworthy at 3 and 4. Dickson "went early" and a partnership between Umeed and Lammonby reset things before the Scot went to Dom Bess and Lewis G Jr got a few before lunch at 94 for 2.
No idea who else batted up to the Tea interval as no-one else gets mentioned in dispatches but they lost 5 for 102 in the middle session before they let Sean and Tom L have another go with Craig top scoring with 66 as we went from 202 to 338 before the end of the practice.
Jason seems happy though there's time to work a few things through next week before we have to make decisions .
Have to assume Archie, Tom A, Lewis G Snr, James had a bat as well though for less than 30 each one would imagine as all scores over that were mentioned. There's no scorecard available and therefore we can only speculate but it will be interesting what it has told them before the only friendly outing next Friday in Taunton. [
b]Tom B[/b] was not there as reported above... no idea if Will Smeed was either.
Yorkshire Day2
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:22:18:53:06 by Grockle.
Josh, Craig, Jack, Shoaib, Archie, Jake, Kasey, Fin, Tom L, Josh, Lewis G 1 & 2, Alfie, ??
Then I realise they had even more there as that doesn't include Andy, Ben or JT.... and that's assuming Tom A doesn't bowl any more
Checking out the squad I was surprised (and quite impressed) that TKC was there. Wondering why Will wasn't... is he doing some T10 or other franchise thingy somewhere in the East?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:23:13:19:23 by Grockle.
As batting positions 1 (or 2), 3,4,5,6 & 7 are pretty much locked in, it's difficult to see him breaking into the first XI at anything other than as an opener.
But is that even a possibility in the short term ? Particularly given his non-appearance in Dubai (not sure why) ?
Maybe he'll have to earn his spurs in the second XI.
Grizzers
Quote:WeAreSomerset
What date will New Zealand Cricket be cancelling Matt Henry's Somerset spell?
If the worse case scenario is announced I hope we have backup plan and aren’t scrambling around for replacement. Maybe look at another New Zealand seamer perhaps?
So he won't be opening the batting in the Championship which cuts down the options by 1 at least for the moment