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

Somerset will host Kent on Saturday in Taunton soon after the KSL game between Western Storm and Lancashire. Somerset gained winning momentum with back to back wins. They have won three of their last four matches and four victories from 8 games in overall. They registered a big 63 run-win by DLS method on Friday against Hampshire as Babar Azam scored an unbeaten 102; his highest T20 score.

Kent, on the other hand, cruised to five consecutive wins. However, they lost two of the three games played after this winning streak. They are placed at No.2 in the South group with 12 points and are only behind Sussex (14 points). While Somerset’s Babar leads the run-getters list of the tournament with 425 runs, it is Kent’s Hardus Viljoen who is the leading wicket-taker with 16 scalps.

Match Details:

The South Group game in the Vitality T20 Blast 2019 will be played between Somerset and Kent at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton.

The match starts at 7:00 PM local time (11:30 PM IST) (6:00 PM GMT).

This game will be live on Sky Sports in England and Fan Code app in India.

Weather Condition/Report:

Taunton is expected to receive rainfall during the day but the rain chances come down as the day progresses. In worst possible came, this game could have a delayed start but no way it is going to end in a wash out.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The six T20s in Taunton had an average first innings score of 192 as all those six games witnessed the first batting team making 170+. The pitch remains the same through the course of the game. The big totals can be chased if any team has a good batting depth and hitters just like what the hosts did against Surrey in the previous match here. However, as this game is played on a used surface, it could be tab slower than expected.

Average first innings score: 192 (Last six T20 Blast matches)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 3, Lost – 3

Probable Playing XIs:

Somerset:

Babar Azam, Tom Banton, Tom Abell (C), James Hildreth, Eddie Byrom, Tom Lammonby, Roelof van der Merwe, Jerome Taylor, Max Waller, Craig Overton, Tim Groenewald.

Bench: George Bartlett, Ollie Sale, Jamie Overton.

Kent:

Daniel Bell-Drummond (C), Zak Crawley, Oliver Robinson (WK), Heino Kuhn, Mohammad Nabi, Alex Blake, Jordan Cox, Adam Milne, Hardus Viljoen, Mitchell Claydon, Fred Klaassen.

Bench: Calum Haggett, Sean Dickson, Matt Milnes, Grant Stewart, Imran Qayyum.

Injury and Availability News:

Imran Qayyum has got an injury to his hand.

Top Picks:

The Somerset openers Babar Azam and Tom Banton will be hoping to carry on their batting exploits at home. In the bowling department, the same can be said about Hardus Viljoen who has 16 wickets to his name.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain – Babar Azam, Mohammad Nabi, Tom Banton, Daniel Bell-Drummond

Vice-captain – Heino Kuhn, Roelof van der Merwe, Hardus Viljoen, Tom Abell

Daniel Bell-Drummond has got in the form with two fifties from the last three games. Mohammad Nabi might find the Somerset’s bowling easy as the hosts have two spinners in their line-up.

Suggested Playing XI for Head to Head/Small Leagues:

Keeper – Tom Banton

Batsmen – Babar Azam (C), Tom Abell, Heino Kuhn, Daniel Bell-Drummond

All-Rounders – Mohammad Nabi (VC), Roelof van der Merwe

Bowlers – Craig Overton, Jerome Taylor, Adam Milne, Hardus Viljoen

Suggested Playing XI for Grand Leagues/Mega Leagues:

Keeper – Tom Banton (VC), Ollie Robinson

Batsmen – Babar Azam, Eddie Byrom, Heino Kuhn, Daniel Bell-Drummond (C)

All-Rounders – Mohammad Nabi, Roelof van der Merwe

Bowlers – Adam Milne, Hardus Viljoen, Jerome Taylor

Expert Advice:

Kent’s Hardus Viljoen and Adam Milne are must from the bowlers’ category. Viljoen is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 16 wickets from 8 games. Milne has only 8 wickets to his name but contributes with the ball and in the field as well if a situation arises.

Probable Winners:

Somerset’s batting performance against Kent’s bowling could decide the result.

*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.