Somerset vs Northamptonshire – OneDay Cup Match Preview (26 August 2025)

Venue: The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton
Time: 11:00 GMT
Format: OneDay Cup

As the OneDay Cup enters its final stages, Somerset and Northamptonshire are set to clash in a crucial Group B encounter at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton. The match, scheduled for 26 August 2025 at 11:00 GMT, holds significant implications for both teams, especially with Somerset eyeing a top finish and Northamptonshire still searching for consistency.

Team Form and Recent Performances

Somerset – In Form and Confident

Somerset have been in excellent form, having won their last two matches in the tournament. Their most recent victory came against Kent, where they posted 269 for 7 and chased it down with four wickets in hand. Opener Tom Lammonby was the star with an unbeaten 102, while Lewis Goldsworthy added 43 to keep the momentum going. The Somerset batting unit has been firing, and with a net run rate of +0.452, they are currently in second place in Group B.

Key players to watch:

• James Rew (Captain): Leading the run charts with 328 runs in 7 innings.
• Tom Lammonby: Explosive opener with a flair for big scores.
• Lewis Goldsworthy: Provides crucial support in the middle order.

Northamptonshire – Struggling for Consistency

Northamptonshire, on the other hand, have had a difficult campaign. They are currently bottom of Group B with just one win in seven matches and a poor net run rate of -0.907. Their last outing saw them bowled out for just 189 against Middlesex, with only Ricardo Vasconcelos (62) and Rob Keogh (60) offering resistance. The lack of depth in their batting order has been a major concern.

Key players to watch:

• James Sales: Leading run-scorer for Northamptonshire with 223 runs in 4 innings.
• Ricardo Vasconcelos: Provides batting stability and handy off-spin.
• Liam Guthrie: Northamptonshire’s leading wicket-taker with 9 wickets in 5 matches.

Head-to-Head Record

The head-to-head record between Somerset and Northamptonshire in the OneDay Cup is in Somerset’s favor. In the last five encounters, Northamptonshire have won just 1 match, with Somerset emerging victorious in the remaining four. Notably, Somerset defeated Northamptonshire by 9 wickets in their last meeting on 5 September 2024, which bodes well for their confidence in this fixture.

Venue and Toss Prediction

The Cooper Associates County Ground has been a fielding-friendly track in recent OneDay Cup matches. Teams batting second have enjoyed a 30% clean sweep record, and the average first-innings total of 271 is not particularly daunting. Considering the conditions and the form of both teams, Somerset are strong favorites to win the toss and choose to bowl first.

Weather Forecast

The weather forecast for Taunton on match day is expected to be clear and sunny, with temperatures in the mid-20s. This bodes well for batting, but the early morning dew may offer some assistance to spinners. However, with the pitch likely to be a flat and bouncy one, the batting side should find it more rewarding than the bowling side.

Prediction and Betting Insights

Match Prediction: Somerset to Win

Given their strong form, home advantage, and Northamptonshire’s struggles, Somerset are the clear favorites. Their recent performance against Kent, where they comfortably chased 269, demonstrates their ability to handle pressure and chase big totals. Northamptonshire’s batting issues and lack of depth make them an easy target.

Score Prediction: Somerset 340/5 vs Northamptonshire 280/8

• Somerset: Tom Lammonby and James Rew are expected to open aggressively, with a target of 340+ on the cards.
• Northamptonshire: Their top order may struggle to match the pace, with Liam Guthrie providing crucial breakthroughs.

Key Bets to Consider:

• Somerset to win the match @ 1.44 (Parimatch)
• Somerset to score over 340 @ 1.80 (Parimatch)
• Tom Lammonby to score 50+ @ 1.60 (Parimatch)

Player of the Match Prediction: Tom Lammonby (Somerset)

Lammonby has been in scintillating form and is expected to dominate the Northamptonshire bowling attack once again. His ability to accelerate the scoring rate and anchor the innings will be key to Somerset’s success.

Final Verdict

This is a high-stakes match for both teams, but Somerset are in a much better position to capitalize on it. With a strong batting lineup, excellent recent form, and home advantage, they should be able to overpower a struggling Northamptonshire side. Northamptonshire will need a complete team performance to pull off an unlikely victory.

Prediction: Somerset Win by 50+ runs 🏏

Betting Odds Summary

Don’t miss the action! This Somerset vs Northamptonshire clash is set to be a thrilling encounter in the OneDay Cup.