Preview of FP t20 Quarter-Final: Somerset v Northamptonshire
The third quarter-final of the Friend’s Provident t20 Cup will be played between Somerset and Northamptonshire. Somerset are the previous year’s runner-up, when they had lost to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sussex-c852 in the final of the T20 Cup played last year. Northamptonshire, on the other hand, were the losing semi-finalists in the previous year, and even they had lost to the eventual winners, Sussex at that stage of the competition.
Somerset will go into the game as favourites, and that is not only because of their performances in the previous season. They had managed to top the South Group of teams consisting of nine sides, with 11 wins and five losses – a very consistent record in this format of the game.
On the other hand, Northamptonshire went into their last league game, just one point ahead of Derbyshire, and with a reasonable chance of not qualifying for the knock-outs. However, Northamptonshire got their act together at the right time and won that last game to render the Derbyshire-Yorkshire match of only academic interest. Derbyshire did go on to lose the match anyway.
Previous Record:
Somerset have won the tournament once before in 2005, under the captaincy of Graeme Smith, apart from being the runner-up in the 2009 edition. On the other hand, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Northamptonshire-c824 have been three-time quarter-finalists, and reached the semi-finals in the 2009 edition of the tournament.
Star Players:
He may not have found the going too easy at the international level, but Somerset captain Marcus Trescothick has been one of the heaviest scorers at the first class level. He has scored 484 runs in the tournament so far, with one of the best strike-rates – of more than 150.
Somerset will also rely on Alfonso Thomas and Murali Kartik in their bowling department. Thomas is a wicket-taking option with his ability to surprise the opposition with his ability slip in the yorker or the bouncer, whereas Kartik has the ability to slow down the scoring and possesses an economy-rate of around six.
Of course, they would have also loved have Kieron Pollard in their line-up, someone, who can change the course of any game with his ability to smack the ball around. However, Pollard is back in the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760, representing Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean T20 Cup.
Northamptonshire’s surprise package has been http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Hall-c1040, who has 16 wickets to his credit.
Probable Playing XI:
Northamptonshire:
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lee-Daggett-c1835, Jack Brooks
Somerset:
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Charl-Willoughby-c1231
Betting Odds:
Somerset are obvious favourites in the game, as Boylesports gives 1.5 for their victory and entry into the semi-finals. Totesports, on the other hand offers 3.0 if Northamptonshire goes on to win the game. Amongst the top-scorers, Vaas is second-favourite (Paddy Power offers 5) to top-score for his side, with Irish national Niall O’Brien (4.5 at Stan James) as the best bet. From Somerset, Trescothick’s the favourite to top-score, with an offer of 3.75 for the same. One senses that Somerset will be a difficult side to beat.
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