{"id":509573,"date":"2026-04-02T21:05:24","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T21:05:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/509573\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T21:05:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T21:05:24","slug":"county-championship-preview-somerset-v-nottinghamshire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/509573\/","title":{"rendered":"County Championship Preview: Somerset v Nottinghamshire"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>                                County Championship Preview: Somerset v Nottinghamshire<\/p>\n<p>THE MATCH<\/p>\n<p>Somerset welcome Nottinghamshire to the Cooper Associates County Ground this week in Division One of the Rothesay County Championship.<\/p>\n<p>Day one of this fixture is tomorrow (Friday April 3rd).<\/p>\n<p>Tickets are available now and don\u2019t forget that it is Kids for a Quid for the duration of the match:<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"button padding-all\" href=\"https:\/\/tickets.somersetcountycc.co.uk\/selection\/event\/seat?perfId=10229062450551&amp;productId=10229061969082&amp;productId=10228715012268\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">BUY NOW<\/a><\/p>\n<p>SCHEDULED HOURS OF PLAY:<\/p>\n<p>Morning session: 11am to 1pm<br \/>Afternoon session: 1:40pm to 3:40pm<br \/>Evening session: 4pm to 6pm<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-83719\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-lazy- data-lazy- data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/HJT_7950-scaled.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>IMPORTANT INFORMATION<\/p>\n<p>Gates will open at 10am.<\/p>\n<p>Bag searches will be in operation and spectators are reminded that no glass or sharp implements will be permitted within the Cooper Associates County Ground.<\/p>\n<p>For full Ground Regulations please visit the link below:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/djor3ri07nw7w.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/01141156\/2025-Ground-Regulations-FINAL.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">2026 GROUND REGULATIONS<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ticket buyers can download their online tickets via their SCCC account.<\/p>\n<p>All ticket or Membership collections or queries will be managed at the Jack White Gates (St James Street).<\/p>\n<p>We are aware that there have been some issues with the delivery of Membership packs ahead of the new season. If you have any queries regarding your 2026 Membership card please visit the Jack White Gates (St James Street) where a member of staff will be happy to help you.<\/p>\n<p>The Club Reception Desk is based in the Reception of the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion.<\/p>\n<p>Due to the busy nature of a matchday, our telephone lines will reopen at 10am on Tuesday April 7th.<\/p>\n<p>Information on everything that you will need for a matchday at SCCC, including how to redeem your guest passes, how to download your e-tickets and how to use the SCCC Ticket App can all be found in our Visiting Guide.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"button padding-all\" href=\"https:\/\/somersetcountycc.co.uk\/visiting-sccc-somerset-county-cricket\/getting-to-the-ground\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">VISITING GUIDE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Brian Rose Gates will be open as follows:<\/p>\n<p>between 10am and 11:15am<br \/>\nbetween 12.50pm and 1:50pm<br \/>\nfor the duration of the tea interval<br \/>\nat the close of play<\/p>\n<p>Block 1 of the Somerset Stand will be open to the public for this fixture.<\/p>\n<p>The concourse behind the Somerset will be closed due to renovation works.<\/p>\n<p>Scorecards will be available from Reception in the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion. Completed scorecards can be downloaded after the match via the Membership section of this website.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"button padding-all\" href=\"https:\/\/somersetcountycc.co.uk\/completed-scorecards\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">COMPLETED SCORECARDS<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-83738\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1766\" data-lazy- data-lazy- data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HJT_9304-scaled.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>CATERING<\/p>\n<p>Matchday food and drink will be available from Stragglers Coffee House and from additional third-party concessions in the St James Street Fan Village.<\/p>\n<p>The bar in the Lord Botham Stand will be open on days one and two of this fixture.<\/p>\n<p>Matchday dining is also available in the County Room. We offer breakfast, a lunch and afternoon tea, subject to availability.<\/p>\n<p>More information on County Room dining can be found via the link below:<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"button padding-all\" href=\"https:\/\/somersetcountycc.co.uk\/news\/club-news\/changes-to-matchday-dining\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">MORE INFORMATION<\/a><\/p>\n<p>HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?<\/p>\n<p>Our award winning live stream is available for fans to watch via this website and our YouTube channel.<\/p>\n<p>You can also keep up to date by using our dedicated matchday blog via this website\u2019s Match Centre and on our X feed.<\/p>\n<p>Somerset County Cricket Club will be providing radio ear pieces to enable Members and supporters to enjoy our live ball-by-ball match commentary. These will be available to purchase from Reception in the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion at a cost of \u00a312 and these will last all season.<\/p>\n<p>A report on the day\u2019s play will also be posted on this website.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-80646 size-full\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" alt=\"\" width=\"2453\" height=\"1536\" data-lazy- data-lazy- data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2226626237.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>THE OPPOSITION<\/p>\n<p>Captain: Haseeb Hameed<\/p>\n<p>Head coach: Peter Moores<\/p>\n<p>2025 finish: 1st<\/p>\n<p>2025 leading run-scorer: Haseeb Hameed (1,258)<\/p>\n<p>2025 leading wicket-taker: Brett Hutton (38)<\/p>\n<p>Key winter moves: The loss of Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas to Derbyshire was an unexpected blow. ln his place, Mohammad Ali, another experienced Pakistan quick, is set to play in the last six Rothesay County Championship rounds; Australian seamer Fergus O\u2019Neill, who took 21 wickets in four appearances at the start of 2025, could play in the first eight. The impressive South African wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne returns and the early availability of England\u2019s Ben Duckett after cancelling his IPL deal is a real boost.<\/p>\n<p>What can we expect?: The battle to be the county\u2019s No 1 spinner. After his sensational end to the 2024 season, teenage off-spinner Farhan Ahmed was in pole position last April before Liam Patterson-White, the left-armer whose career had lost direction a little, was handed a recall and subsequently made himself impossible to leave out. Leg-spinner Calvin Harrison has moved to Northamptonshire but another left-armer, Joe Pocklington, who impressed in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, adds to the competition.<\/p>\n<p>Aiming to catch the Test selectors\u2019 eye: Haseeb Hameed has had a fragmented international career so far but after 2,349 first-class runs at 58.72 over the last two seasons, including seven centuries, three of them doubles, two carrying his bat, he\u2019s surely worth another look. A pretty good player when last selected, he remains technically sound but scores at a markedly quicker tempo.<\/p>\n<p>Final thought: After two seasons nearer the bottom of the Division One table than the top, Nottinghamshire\u2019s dethroning of Surrey still seemed a slightly fanciful notion until it happened, thanks to Josh Tongue spearheading a brilliant win at the Kia Oval in the penultimate round. Tongue may not be around often this year and it would be a good moment for Dillon Pennington to realise his full potential. Defending their title will not be easy, but confidence is high.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-83788 size-full\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1133\" data-lazy- data-lazy- data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2268630412-scaled.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>TEAM NEWS<\/p>\n<p>Somerset will be without Tom Banton (IPL)., but Migael Pretorius returns to the squad.<\/p>\n<p>The starting XI will be picked from the following squad: Lewis Gregory, Tom Kohler Cadmore, Josh Thomas, Tom Lammonby, James Rew, Tom Abell, Lewis Goldsworthy, Craig Overton, Archie Vaughan, Migael Pretorius, Jack Leach, Alfie Ogborne, Jake Ball and Josh Shaw.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-83875\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\" data-lazy- data-lazy- data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Squad-16.9-notts-final-final-scaled.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM<\/p>\n<p>Ahead of the match, Somerset Head Coach, Jason Kerr said: \u201cYou invest a huge amount of time throughout the winter looking to improve and taking lessons from last year. Friday is the start of the opportunity to try and implement that, so there\u2019s a huge amount of excitement in the dressing room. To start at home is great and we\u2019re playing against last year\u2019s champions; there\u2019s no better way to start the year.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAlthough our pre-season plans were disrupted, we\u2019ve trained brilliantly, so we\u2019re as ready as we\u2019ll ever be. There\u2019s an air of optimism and anticipation, and the nerves will be there on day one because everyone wants to start the season really well, both as a collective and individually. We\u2019ve trained hard again this week in preparation, and we\u2019ll give it absolutely everything on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>Every team wants to start the season really well and every individual wants to get off to a flyer. So, that\u2019s the messages we\u2019ll be sending in the dressing room. The reality is that it\u2019s a very long season. You\u2019ve got 14 games and you need to be in contention come September. So, it\u2019s obviously important how we start, but what will be more important is how we finish.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-80275\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1517\" data-lazy- data-lazy- data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/HT1_2637-scaled.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>CLASSIC MATCH<\/p>\n<p>We go back to 1992 for the classic First Class match between the two sides at Taunton.<\/p>\n<p>It was a game that saw Somerset claim a comprehensive victory thanks to three centurions in the Somerset first innings.<\/p>\n<p>Somerset Captain, Chris Tavar\u00e9 won the toss and elected to field.<\/p>\n<p>Graeme Archer (83 not out) and Tim Robinson (74) ensured that the visitors reached 265 all out, whilst there were three wickets apiece for Andy Caddick and Harvey Trump.<\/p>\n<p>In reply, Somerset posted a huge total of 616 for seven declared.<\/p>\n<p>Richard Harden top scored with 187, whilst there were also centuries for Tavar\u00e9 (125) and Rob Turner (101*).<\/p>\n<p>Batting for a second time, Notts were dismissed for 188, Trump taking a further four more wickets, as Somerset claimed victory by an innings and 163 runs.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-83824\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" alt=\"\" width=\"2314\" height=\"1537\" data-lazy- data-lazy- data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-1244483-1.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>MATCH SPONSOR \u2013 CITY WEST COUNTRY<\/p>\n<p>City West Country Limited (CWC) is a privately-owned organisation with more than 40 years of experience in the motor industry.<\/p>\n<p>CWC operate various brands spanning across the South West of England from Taunton to Truro, including fleet and retail sales of new and used cars, new and used vans sales, servicing, MOT and repair for cars and vans.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"button padding-all\" href=\"https:\/\/citywestcountry.co.uk\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">CITY WEST COUNTRY<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-83815\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\" data-lazy- data-lazy- data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/City-west-country-scaled.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Marie Curie Day<\/p>\n<p>Sunday April 5th\u00a0will see Somerset County Cricket Club hosting Marie Curie Day at the Cooper Associates County Ground.<\/p>\n<p>The day will see representatives from Marie Curie having a presence at the ground on the third day of the Rothesay County Championship match against Nottinghamshire raising vital awareness of their work and services.<\/p>\n<p>Marie Curie is the UK\u2019s leading \u2018end of life charity\u2019. They care for people with any illness they are likely to die from including Alzheimer\u2019s (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson\u2019s, and advanced cancer.<\/p>\n<p>The charity also provides support for family members and friends of those affected by these illnesses. Marie Curie is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK, and campaigns to ensure everyone has a good end of life experience. Whatever the illness, they\u2019re with you to the end.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-83413\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\" data-lazy- data-lazy- data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mariew-Curie-scaled.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Special Membership Offer<\/p>\n<p>Cricket returns to the Cooper Associates County Ground on Friday when we face the reigning Rothesay County Champions, Nottinghamshire.<\/p>\n<p>To mark the start of the 2026 season, we have a special Membership offer for all ticket purchasers.<\/p>\n<p>If you buy a ticket to any day the match, we will discount the cost of that ticket from a 2026 Membership.*<\/p>\n<p>That means you could see all the action at the Cooper Associates County Ground this summer and save up to \u00a326!<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"button padding-all\" href=\"https:\/\/tickets.somersetcountycc.co.uk\/content\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">BUY TICKETS<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-83807\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\" data-lazy- data-lazy- data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Notts-offer-scaled.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Try before you buy!<\/p>\n<p>Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a Member of Somerset County Cricket Club?<\/p>\n<p>Well, now you can find out!<\/p>\n<p>On any day of Rothesay County Championship cricket we are offering our Member For The Day ticket.<\/p>\n<p>For just \u00a326 (\u00a332 on the day) you will receive a special ticket which will provide you with Member benefits for the day.<\/p>\n<p>You will receive:<\/p>\n<p>Access to our Member Stands and Member Bar<\/p>\n<p>To experience a matchday as a Somerset County Cricket Club Member, take advantage of this special offer now!<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"button padding-all\" href=\"https:\/\/tickets.somersetcountycc.co.uk\/content\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">BUY NOW<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Already a Member? Tell your friends about this offer and they could join you in the Members areas for this fixture.<\/p>\n<p>*2026 Associate Membership, Somerset Women Membership, Somerset Nation Membership and Junior Membership does not qualify in this offer.<\/p>\n<p>EASTER CHALLENGE<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>NEXT MATCH<\/p>\n<p>Somerset\u2019s next match is against Essex at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground in the Rothesay County Championship.<\/p>\n<p>This four-day match begins on Friday April 10th.<\/p>\n<p>Tickets for this match are available via Essex CCC.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"button padding-all\" href=\"https:\/\/tickets.essexcricket.org.uk\/content\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">BUY NOW<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-447 size-full\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" alt=\"\" width=\"284\" height=\"150\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/djor3ri07nw7w.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/02133557\/wpa-text-icon.svg\"\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"County Championship Preview: Somerset v Nottinghamshire THE MATCH Somerset welcome Nottinghamshire to the Cooper Associates County Ground this&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":509574,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[218,101,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-509573","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-football","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/509573","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=509573"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/509573\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/509574"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=509573"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=509573"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=509573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}