Somerset vs Gloucestershire Preview – T20 Blast 2026 | Statz

Somerset host Gloucestershire at The Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton on Friday in a T20 Blast West Country derby with contrasting fortunes. Gloucestershire sit 2nd in the table with five wins from six, while Somerset are down in 15th with just two wins and four defeats. First ball is at 22:00 IST (17:30 BST) – visit the Statz match page for live data and projections.

The Venue

The Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton is tagged a “batting paradise” by Statz, and the numbers back it up. The average first-innings score across 30 T20s since 2022 is a hefty 188.4, with an average match total of 356.2. Bat-first win rate is 50%, so chasing sides have an equal record here. Pace goes at 9.3 and spin at 9.61 – both expensive on this flat deck. The last T20 here on 07 Jun saw Warwickshire chase down Somerset’s 215/4, winning by 6 wickets with 2 balls to spare.

Form and Table

Somerset – 15th, P6 W2 L4, 8pts

• L vs WAR – 215/4 (20) lost to 216/4 (19.4) – 07 Jun
• L vs GLO – 137/8 (20) lost to 138/3 (14.1) – 05 Jun
• L vs GLA – 202/6 (20) lost to 203/6 (20) – 04 Jun
• L vs GLA – 171/9 (20) lost to 175/3 (13.5) – 29 May
• W vs WAR – 193/3 (18.2) beat 189/5 (20) – 24 May

Gloucestershire – 2nd, P6 W5 L1, 20pts

• W vs WOR – 148/7 (20) beat 145/10 (20) – 07 Jun
• W vs SOM – 138/3 (14.1) beat 137/8 (20) – 05 Jun
• W vs YOR – 217/6 (20) beat 161/10 (17.4) – 31 May
• L vs NOR – 164/9 (20) lost to 166/3 (16.2) – 29 May
• W vs GLA – 158/8 (20) beat 157/8 (20) – 23 May

Top 4 Standings

Somerset have 8 games remaining to salvage their campaign, while Gloucestershire look to consolidate their top-4 spot with 8 to play.

Head-to-Head

These two have met 10 times since 2022 (Statz data), with Somerset leading 6-4 in the overall count. The last meeting was just three weeks ago on 05 Jun – Gloucestershire chased down Somerset’s 137/8 in just 14.1 overs, winning comfortably by 7 wickets at Bristol. At Taunton specifically, Somerset have a dominant home record of P33 W24 L9 since 2021, but Gloucestershire have won 1 of their 4 visits to this venue.

Statz Projections

Statz favours Somerset regardless of the toss. If Somerset bat first, they are projected at 58.9% win probability with a projected first-innings total of 200 (P10: 170, P90: 230). The projected match total of 374.9 (P10: 318, P90: 427) sits well above the venue average of 356.2 – expect plenty of runs on this Taunton belter. If Gloucestershire bat first, Somerset’s win probability rises to 63.5%. Full data on the Statz projections page.

Competition Season Leaders

Orange Cap – Top 5 Run Scorers

1. Beau Webster (Warwickshire) – 288 runs in 6 innings
2. George Munsey (Leicestershire) – 251 runs in 6 innings
3. Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire) – 250 runs in 6 innings
4. Chris Lynn (Northamptonshire) – 245 runs in 6 innings
5. Martin Andersson (Derbyshire) – 237 runs in 6 innings

Purple Cap – Top 5 Wicket Takers

1. Duan Jansen (Gloucestershire) – 16 wickets in 6 innings
2. James Sales (Northamptonshire) – 16 wickets in 6 innings
3. Adam Finch (Worcestershire) – 12 wickets in 6 innings
4. Scott Currie (Hampshire) – 12 wickets in 6 innings
5. Mohammad Ali (Leicestershire) – 12 wickets in 6 innings

Somerset Season Leaders

• Runs: Tom Banton – 199 runs (avg 33.17, HS 59)
• Wickets: Jake Ball – 7 wickets (avg 1.17, best 3) / Craig Overton – 7 wickets (avg 1.17, best 3)

Gloucestershire Season Leaders

• Runs: D’Arcy Short – 176 runs (avg 29.33, HS 82)
• Wickets: Duan Jansen – 16 wickets (avg 2.67, best 4)

Predicted XIs

Somerset (based on XI vs Warwickshire, 07 Jun):

Joshua Thomas, Tom Banton (wk), James Rew, Jordan Hermann, Thomas Rew, Lewis Gregory (c), Daniel Sams, Craig Overton, Lewis Goldsworthy, Alfie Ogborne, Jake Ball

Gloucestershire (based on XI vs Worcestershire, 07 Jun):

Miles Hammond, D’Arcy Short, Joe Phillips, Ben Charlesworth, Jack Taylor (c), James Bracey (wk), Oliver Joseph Price, Kamran Dhariwal, Duan Jansen, Marchant de Lange, Matthew Taylor

Always check the Statz fixture page after the toss for confirmed lineups.

Dream11 Tips – Captain and Vice Captain

Captain: Duan Jansen – 100.6 projected Dream11 points. The joint Purple Cap leader with 16 wickets this season has an 83.3% hit rate for both 1+ and 2+ wickets. On a batting paradise where bowlers are expensive, his ability to take wickets despite the conditions sets him apart.

Vice-Captain: Lewis Gregory – 87.6 projected Dream11 points. The Somerset skipper has been in brilliant all-round form – 152 runs this season including scores of 54, 33 and 55 in his last three, plus regular bowling contributions.

Also consider: Daniel Sams (84.1 pts), Matthew Taylor (80.3 pts), Marchant de Lange (74.7 pts)

Key Players

Duan Jansen (Gloucestershire) – The South African left-armer is the tournament’s joint leading wicket-taker with 16 wickets in 6 innings, including figures of 3, 2 and 4 in his last three outings. His 83.3% hit rate for 2+ wickets is remarkable and makes him a genuine match-winner, even on a Taunton flat track. Projected at 100.6 Dream11 points – the highest in this match.

Tom Banton (Somerset) – Somerset’s leading run-scorer with 199 runs at 33.17. Banton has an 83.3% hit rate for 20+ runs and 66.7% for 30+ this season. On his home ground in Taunton, the explosive opener will look to set the tone against Gloucestershire’s pace attack.

Lewis Gregory (Somerset) – The captain has been Somerset’s most consistent performer, with 152 runs including a run of 54, 33 and 55 in his last three innings. His 50% hit rate for 20+ runs combined with bowling contributions makes him the key all-rounder in the match.

D’Arcy Short (Gloucestershire) – The Australian left-hander leads Gloucestershire’s batting with 176 runs at 29.33 and has scores of 82 and 63 in his two most recent knocks. His 50% hit rate for 20+ runs and handy left-arm spin overs add multi-dimensional value to the visitors.

Conditions

Fair skies and 27 degrees forecast for start time in Taunton with just 16% cloud cover and no rain expected – ideal conditions for this West Country derby.

Verdict and Betting Angles

This is a fascinating clash between Statz projections and recent form. The model gives Somerset 58.9% win probability batting first, largely due to their home advantage on a Taunton batting paradise. But Gloucestershire’s form – five wins from six including a comfortable victory over Somerset just three weeks ago – makes them a genuine threat. Bet365 has Somerset at 1.67 and Gloucestershire at 2.20. The value leans towards Gloucestershire given their momentum, a dominant bowling attack led by Duan Jansen, and Somerset’s run of four defeats in five.

Bet builder angles:

• Duan Jansen 2+ wickets – 83.3% hit rate this season, the standout bowling pick in the match
• Tom Banton 20+ runs – 83.3% season hit rate on Statz, consistently getting starts at the top of the order
• Lewis Gregory 20+ runs – 50% hit rate with three consecutive 30+ scores in his last three knocks
• Marchant de Lange 1+ wicket – 83.3% hit rate this season, adding firepower alongside Jansen

Build your selections at the Statz bet builder.