Vitality Blast 2019, Somerset v Kent: Preview, predictions

A win against hosts Somerset at County Ground, Taunton may help Kent Spitfires to secure top spot in the South Division points table of the 2019 Vitality Blast. Somerset, on the other hand, stand a chance to break through to the top four.

Kent and Somerset had started off their season against Somerset, at Canterbury, a match Kent had won. In fact, Kent had started their season with 5 wins on the trot before losing 2 of the next 3, including their most recent outing, against Gloucestershire at Bristol.

Somerset’s fortune, on the other hand, has fluctuated since they won their first match, against Glamorgan. They lost the next 3 before recovering somewhat to win 2 of the next 3. They thrashed Essex by 114 runs in their most recent match.

With a strike rate of 155 and an economy of 6.59, Mohammad Nabi has been Kent’s standout performer of the season. Nabi has found support from big hitters Heino Kuhn and Alex Blake, while Hardus Viljoen has been Kent’s finest bowler.

For Somerset, Babar Azam has been in excellent form, but the surprise package of the season has been Eddie Byrom, who has scored 102 runs so far – from 43 balls. The usual suspects – Tom Banton, Tom Abell, and Peter Trego – have been in good touch, while Max Waller and Roelof van der Merwe has been incisive with ball.

This season: Kent 165/9 (20) beat Somerset 124 (18.3) at Canterbury

Players to watch: Eddie Byrom (Somerset), Mohammad Nabi (Kent)

Prediction: Kent to win