I see that Colin de Grandhomme will join us for the t20s once the World Test final is over. Saves him a journey I guess! It means he'll miss our first six matches, but will then be available for the following eight. And whilst nothing has yet been confirmed, I guess there is the possibility of him staying on for the one cup game, which begins immediately after the t20 group stage. It might depend on whether we make the t20s QFs - because if we do, they take place about a week after the one-day competition finishes, and hence him remaining with us throughout could make some sense. (It also doesn't clash with the CPL, which CDG tends to play in.) I also whether we'll look to sign another overseas player to play the entire group stage. That could then allow us to rest Abbott after those first six games (ie CDG takes over from Abbott). If not, I presume we're more likely to go with just Abbott for those six games, rather than bring someone in to fill in for CDG.
Nice signing that. Middle/lower order power bat and a decent bowler. Should be effective in English conditions. Doesn't miss any home games either.
Looking at the forecast it looks inevitable that Saturday will be a washout at the Ageas Bowl, and probably the whole country. Not a bad round to lose a day for both Hants and Somerset, given Surrey have Leicestershire and Gloucestershire have Middlesex.
I'm guessing that Crane won't be back in the XI due to the weather. In which case either Wheal or Currie will keep their place. Will be interesting which. Wheal performed vs Gloucs, Currie did vs Surrey.
Somerset Head Coach, Jason Kerr has named the following squad: Tom Abell*, George Bartlett, Eddie Byrom, Josh Davey, Steve Davies+, Marchant de Lange, Lewis Goldsworthy, Lewis Gregory, James Hildreth, Tom Lammonby, Jack Leach, Craig Overton and Roelof van der Merwe. I imagine that means Lewis Gregory has tested negative after having had to be substituted halfway through the Middlesex game. Significant that Jason Kerr has removed Tom Banton from the firing line after a succession of failures.
I would have tried dropping him down the order rather than dropping him altogether. I find it a bit odd Somerset expose one of their most attacking batsmen to the new ball.
On the plus side, not much of a tail for Hampshire. Barker definitely knows how to handle a bat and can be dangerous down the order.