County cricket preview 2019: Somerset
With all bases seemingly covered, we take a look at how Somerset might fare in the 2019 county cricket season.
Somerset County Cricket Club
Captain: Tom Abell (Championship and 50 over), Lewis Gregory (T20)
Last season: CC1: Runners-up; RL50: 4/9 South Group; T20: SF
Transfers in: Jack Brooks (Yorkshire), Azhar Ali (Pak), Jerome Taylor (WI, T20)
Transfers out: Fin Trenouth (released), Johann Myburgh (retired)
Stick on: James Hildreth
More than 15 years on from his Somerset debut, James Hildreth is still going strong
Only Rory Burns scored more Championship runs in 2018 as frustration at Hildreth’s lack of England recognition reached fever pitch among Taunton locals and beyond. Expect more runs and more frustration this season.
Wildcard: Dom Bess
Bess enjoyed international recognition in 2018 but his county season was a disappointment
After starting the summer as England’s Test spinner, the sparky all-rounder finished it with just eight appearances for Somerset across all competitions. Another season like the last and Bess will surely be looking to pastures new. He won’t be short of offers.
Prediction
CC1: 4/8; RL50: Winners; T20: QF
Competitive across all formats last year, Somerset have all bases covered – with a good mix of experience and homegrown talent, a strong stable of quicks and two high-class spinners – and look primed to win their first silverware for 14 years. With a long batting line-up and a varied attack, white-ball cricket could offer their best opportunity.
This county cricket 2019 preview was first published in issue 18 of Wisden Cricket Monthly. Subscribe here.
