T20 Blast 2019: South Group, Glamorgan vs Somerset: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

After England’s 2019 World Cup triumph, the focus of the country shifts to the T20 Blast. A total of 18 teams divided into two groups named North group and South group will fight it out for the glory. Worcestershire defeated Sussex in the final to lift the trophy last year and it will be interesting to see who will stand on top this time around. There are two matches from the South Group on day 1 and one of them is between Glamorgan and Somerset.

Somerset finished at the top of the points table in their group in the league stage last season. They were unfortunate to lose in the semi-final to Sussex and will be looking to go one step better this year. Glamorgan, on the other hand, ended on the sixth place with seven wins from 14 matches. They will need a much better performance to make it to the quarter-finals this time around.

Both the teams have proven players in the T20 format as Glamorgan recently signed Fakhar Zaman as a replacement for injured Shaun Marsh. Somerset will have the services of World Number 1 T20I batsman Babar Azam which makes up for an exciting contest.

Match Details

The South division game of the T20 Blast 2019 will be played between Glamorgan and Somerset at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

The match starts at 06:30 PM local time (05:30 AM GMT) (11:00 PM IST).

Home counties are expected to stream the match live on their website. (Some of the matches will be live on Sony Network and Sony LIV)

Weather Report

It is expected to rain in the morning in Cardiff. But by the time the match starts, the chance of the heavens opening up becomes less and it will be clear by 8 PM local time. Though it will remain cloudy and the temperature will hover around 15-17 Degrees Celsius during the match according to AccuWeather.

Pitch Report

Three out of the four World Cup games at the Sophia Gardens were low-scoring games. A lot of cricket has been played across the UK but the pitch for this game will be better. The last match played at the venue was on June 15 and the curator must have got enough time to prepare a flat strip favouring the batsmen. The team winning the toss might bowl first just to know the behaviour of the surface.

Average first innings score: 157 (Seven completed matches at the venue in T20 Blast 2018)

Record of the chasing teams: Won – 3; Lost – 4

Probable Playing XIs

Glamorgan

Billy Root, Jeremy Lawlor, Colin Ingram (C), Kiran Carlson, David Lloyd, Chris Cooke (WK), Graham Wagg, Andrew Salter, Michael Hogan, Lukas Carey/Dan Douthwaite, Marchant de Lange.

Bench – Lukas Carey/Dan Douthwaite, Owen Morgan.

Somerset (Squad)

Steve Davies (WK), Tom Banton (WK), Babar Azam, James Hildreth, Peter Trego, Tom Abell, George Bartlett, Eddie Byrom, Ben Green, Tim Rouse, Lewis Gregory (C), Roelof van der Merwe, Tom Lammonby, Jerome Taylor, Jack Brooks, Josh Davey, Tim Groenewald, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Paul van Meekeren, Max Waller, Nathan Gilchrist, Jack Leach, Ollie Sale.

Note: Probable playing XI will be updated once the 13-man squad is announced.

Team News

Glamorgan signed Fakhar Zaman recently for the first 8 matches but he is not available for this fixture.

Glamorgan’s Mitchell Marsh isn’t available as of now after he was selected in Australia’s 25-man preliminary Test squad for the Ashes.

Glamorgan’s Marnus Labuschagne is also not available for selection after being picked in Australia’s 25-man preliminary Test squad for the Ashes.

Lewis Gregory and Jack Leach were picked in England’s Test squad for the one-off Test against Ireland and it is still not confirmed if they are available for this match.

Power Picks

James Hildreth in T20 Blast 2018:

Innings: 15

Runs: 403

Strike-Rate: 139.93

50s: 4

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain Options: Babar Azam, Steve Davies, James Hildreth

Vice-Captain Options: Colin Ingram, Roelof van der Merwe, Peter Trego

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Head to Head/Small Leagues:

Wicket-keeper – Steve Davies

Batsmen – Billy Root, Colin Ingram (VC), Kiran Carlson, Peter Trego, Babar Azam (C)

All-Rounders – Graham Wagg, Roelof van der Merwe

Bowlers – Marchant de Lange, Andrew Salter, Max Waller.

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Grand/Mega Leagues:

Wicket-keeper – Steve Davies (C)

Batsmen – Jeremy Lawlor, Colin Ingram, Kiran Carlson, James Hildreth, Babar Azam (VC)

All-Rounders – Graham Wagg, Lewis Gregory

Bowlers – Marchant de Lange, Michael Hogan, Jamie Overton.

Expert Advice:

This being the first match of the season for both the teams, it is better to wait for the playing XIs.

Babar Azam, Peter Trego, Steve Davies and Colin Ingram are some of the important players which you should have in your line-up.

Probable Winners:

Somerset are expected to win the match.

*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.