Pre-Match Pack: Somerset

Derbyshire have named a 13-man squad for tomorrow’s Royal London Cup fixture against Somerset at The Cooper Associates County Ground (2pm start).

Tom Wood is available for selection again, and could return to boost the top-order, with captain Billy Godleman also back in form after scoring a century in the opening game against Leicestershire.

Alex Thomson also returns to the squad, while George Scrimshaw is fit to play after missing the first game with a foot injury. However, wicketkeeper-batsman Harvey Hosein will be out for a minimum of six days, in line with concussion protocol.

Experienced quick Ravi Rampaul will again lead the attack, he claimed his 300th List A wicket in Thursday’s defeat, while Ben Aitchison’s two wickets were his first in the format.

Alex Hughes remains out with a side injury, but it’s expected he will feature in the competition, while fast bowlers Sam Conners and Dustin Melton remain longer-term absentees.

Derbyshire Squad: 

1. Billy Godleman
4. Harry Came
29. Brooke Guest
24. Tom Wood
65. Anuj Dal
33. Fynn Hudson-Prentice
53. Nils Priestley
15. Alex Thomson
5. Connor Marshall
21. Mattie McKiernan
14. Ravi Rampaul
11. Ben Aitchison
9. George Scrimshaw

Bite-sized Stats

These two sides have played 49 scheduled List A matches of which three were abandoned without a ball bowled.

Derbyshire have won 18 matches, with Somerset winning 27. Owing to one of the many vagaries of cricket, one game ended as a ‘No Result’ which Derbyshire actually won.

In 1993, the two sides met in a Benson and Hedges Cup quarter final at Taunton where the weather forced a bowl-out. Learning from their experience at Bishop’s Stortford in 1991 when Hertfordshire prevailed after Derbyshire used front-line bowlers, captain Kim Barnett utilised the slow bowling of Chris Adams, Matthew Vandrau, Peter Bowler, Barnett himself, and the pacy but accurate Dominic Cork. Derbyshire won 6-3.

Click HERE to read the full stats preview.

Pre-Match Talk

Connor Marshall is pleased to be reaping the rewards of his form in club cricket and says knowing that Derbyshire are watching performances at all levels should be motivation for local players. 

The Sandiacre all-rounder has signed a deal with Derbyshire for the duration of the Royal London Cup, after claiming 41 wickets at 15.66 and scoring 416 runs this season, making his debut in the opening game against Leicestershire earlier this week.

Having performed well with bat and ball in the local game, Marshall now has the opportunity to impress in List A cricket, and with the squad currently depleted by injuries and three players selected for The Hundred, added depth is vital for the side.

Marshall says knowing the club are watching the local clubs is a huge boost for those playing, and he hopes he can replicate his Sandiacre form in Derbyshire colours.

“It all matters, it’s good that if you’re playing club cricket and doing well, it’s getting noticed by Derbyshire,” he said.

“That raises the standard and means the games on a Saturday are being played with real intensity. Hopefully there will be more opportunities in the Royal London Cup, you’ve just to make the most of those chances when they come and not look too far ahead.

“It’s nice to be able to contribute, I play for Sandiacre Town, it’s a great club and they’ve given me some really good opportunities to play and improve over the last couple of years.

“It’s a real privilege to play for Derbyshire now, there’s a really good opportunities for the young players to impress in the next few weeks, it’s a really good time to be involved and you’ve just got to do as well as you can when you get the chance.”

How to follow

Derbyshire’s Royal London Cup fixture against Somerset will be Live Streamed on the club website, using the hosts’ feed, through our improved Match Centre, delivered in partnership with Purpose Media.

The Match Centre also includes in-play scorecards, ball by ball commentary, clips and statistics, everything you need to stay up-to-date, no matter where you’re following from!

Clips and updates will also be provides via our social media channels, so make sure you’re following us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, so you never miss a moment of the action.