In a new series for this year's Vitality Blast, an expert eye will provide a deep dive into each of The Blaze and Notts Outlaws' Trent Bridge opponents.
Continuing into the second Trent Bridge double-header of 2025, a detailed look at Somerset Women is provided by long-time supporter Dan Kingdom.
Secure your seats to Saturday’s double-header on 7 June here...
How do you rate Somerset’s start to the 2025 Vitality Blast?
“We have a young team, but there will definitely be disappointment in the camp after starting with two losses. The opening match at home to Surrey was always going to be difficult, and it showed in an eight-wicket loss.
“Batting first, we made a bright start but the innings fell away and 131 was unlikely to be enough on a flat Taunton wicket as Surrey eased to their target. Greater frustration will have come after we restricted Essex to 149 at Chelmsford but mustered only 84 in response.
“In both matches, contributions with the bat were sporadic and Head Coach Trevor Griffin spoke of a need for greater clarity at the top of the order after losing three wickets in the powerplay twice.
“However, encouragement can be taken from the bowling performance against Essex, where the attack did well to restrict the opposition at a small ground on a good batting surface.”
Who are the key players that fans should be aware of?
“Amanda-Jade Wellington is the obvious one, being able to turn games on their head with both the bat and with her leg-breaks and googlies.
“Her match-winning 24 off seven balls in our first professional game, against Surrey at Beckenham in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, will live long in the memory of those who saw it.
“Fran Wilson and Sophie Luff are Somerset's key batters amid a young line-up, and we ideally need them to consistently bat for long periods to allow the younger players to thrive around them.
“All-rounder Alex Griffiths has made great strides this season, able to score useful runs in the middle order and chip in with valuable contributions with the ball.”
Who are the young up-and-comers worth keeping an eye on?
“Bex Odgers came into the 50-over side as a replacement for Heather Knight against Durham and immediately settled in, scoring a confident 60.
“She is capable of going hard at the start of a T20 innings, as shown by her 39 off 18 balls in the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup against Durham and 27 off 20 balls in the Blast against Surrey.
“If she really gets going and bats for a significant chunk of the innings, she could propel Somerset to a big total.
“With the ball, former England Under-19 pacer Ellie Anderson made a bright start to the season in the One Day Cup and has carried that form into the Vitality Blast, taking 3/19 in four overs against Essex.
“She can be expensive at times, but she has a knack for picking up key wickets early on. Her pace has helped her take eight of her 13 wickets bowled across all formats this season.
Based on what you’ve seen so far, what do you think should be the target for Somerset in 2025?
“To be in the mix for Finals Day going into the last few rounds of the group stage. With a young squad, the consistency required to qualify comfortably may be difficult to achieve, but there is certainly enough talent to cause a few upsets.
“For the most part, we inherited Western Storm's young squad, and they largely struggled towards the end of the regional era.
“But we have seen individual players improve already in the 50-over format this season, and seeing that improvement reflected in T20 cricket would be welcome if Finals Day qualification isn't possible.”
