Back to Red in September - Looking forward to 2026?
By Grockle
September 7 2025
We are back to the four day game tomorrow for 3 final games of this year and we still seem to have the issues that we had last year (and since the 'noughties' to be honest?) in trying to work out how to get over the finish line rather than just getting to somewhere near-ish to it more than once. So what have we achieved this year and what can we look forward to after the winter - of more discontent perhaps?
Where the hell is Somerset's Four Day Game?
We have three games left in the County Championship of 2025. Two home games against Yorkshire next week, Hampshire the week after and then Essex away to close the campaign. Either next year of the year after we'll see fewer games than the 14 we presently have - which seems to tire professional cricketer's out it seems. We are not going to win the CC1 in our 150th year and we seem no closer to solving the problems that can be identified as the reason why we haven't won it yet in any of those 150 years.
The Boys of 'Franchise August' will return for September and then some of them will go elsewhere and we have to look at what that means for the next year squad. Riley Meredith is still with us - though how much we will use him in the last bit is a question and how effective he will be if we do is also unsure. Matt Henry is not returning for the last bit as international demands are calling. Tom Banton and Thomas Rew have been called away from our squad to the England white ball and U19 versions - though it is expected that both will have some part to play in the 2026 version of this competition
However, TKC (renegotiating his contract in the light of needing more white ball space) Sean Dickson (who has finished negotiations on his future it seems - no details yet though rumours say he is being released to join Glamorgan) Will Smeed, Tom Abell, Lewis Gregory, Craig Overton are all back.
Josh Davey (off to Leicestershire an a 3 year deal next year), Kasey Aldridge (off to Durham) and Ben Green (making his loan to Leicestershire permanent for 2026) are all in their last days as members of the Somerset squad. (The hope that was Andy Umeed has petered out as he is moving on at the end of the season after being ignored for the Metrobank 50 this year and allowed to play for SACA instead. A disappointing conclusion for the fans really.)
They mostly join the Metrobank 50 Boys who have had a very good 2025 competition Some will be joining their first team colleagues (more than usual) again while others will be looking to be more comprehensive members of the county squad across more formats.
Archie Vaughan, Tom Lammonby, Lewis Goldsworthy, James Rew, Jack Leach and Jake Ball (also looking for the third year extension of his present contract to be invoked) have been there before. Migael Pretorius has been acting as the 'overseas player without portfolio' for 2025.
Josh Thomas (after extending his contract) Fin Hill, Kian Roberts, Alfie Ogborne and JT Langridge have all provided reasons for their consideration on more than just a 'fill in' basis.
We have NOT sorted our opening partnership problem. We have tried another few partnerships without any real conclusive proof that any of them have worked. Josh Davey probably looked the most comfortable and he is going. TKC would not be here at the start of a season because of white ball commitments elsewhere and so is not part of a successful change. Archie Vaughan was put into a difficult position during his first real season and struggled as an opener but has looked better in the 50 over. His partner there was Tom Lammonby who had struggle himself in the same position for about 2 seasons and then seems far more settled at number 3. Will Smeed saw the error of his ways and extended his contract to return to red ball cricket in order to expand his game. He has yet to make a play for an opening spot but he looks more likely to do that and may see it happen in these 3 games perhaps given the lack of reason to continue the last experiment. If Sean Dickson has a place in our side it is not at 1 or 2.
Our middle order is not a problem, except deciding who will be in it from the large bag of talent we have at 3,4,5 and 6. Once we decide who will be at 1 and 2, the others will join James Rew (who may give up the gloves to his brother Thomas perhaps and look at the opening job himself?) Lewis Goldsworthy, Josh Thomas, Tom Banton, Tom Abell and Fin Hill in the batting 'belly'.
For now our captain and bowling allrounder Lewis Gregory will continue but he needs to be treated with kid gloves in order to maintain his dual role. Some of those who were expected to take his place will have moved on (Kasey and Ben) Of the others who may, no present possibility is a seam bowler - unless Tom Lammonby continues to develop the second aspect of his game. Craig is a strike bowler who bats and the only member of our present first team new ball attack that will be here next year with the skipper. Our new seam resources may not show in the last games of this season. JT Langridge is out for the season with a rib injury and there is still a question whether he would be a starter for 2026 - though is it less of a doubt than it was before August. Alfie Ogborne has a hip 'niggle' that seems to come and go but he might play some role in September. He is a bowler, a left handed one, but not yet any kind of bat with a reputation. Jake Ball has also had a good August and it probably has confirmed he will be extending his contract for a third year. Does he have a major role in the the opening attack? Well he hasn't this summer having spent more time on loan than in the middle for Somerset. BUT he is an experienced man and he has had some good later games in the white ball competitions. He probably is a name in our top seam attack presently though a number of people would probably see that as the nature of the problem. Kian Roberts is also now more of an option than he was though it is probably at least a year too early to see him aas a regular.
Jack Leach is our first choice spinner and his second slow partner will be Archie Vaughan. The future of Shoaib Bashir at Taunton is highly doubtful. He has a broken hand at the moment and is being treated by the England backroom staff. He has been given permission by the county to discuss a move to get more domestic cricket with another side and nearly everyone expects that to involve a winter move somewhere else. It would be a big surprise if it was announced that he is part of our plans for 2026. Josh T and Lewis Jr are our other slow ball options.
Will there be other names in the hat? Jos Shaw of Gloucestershire has been mentioned in dispatches but with not a lot of enthusiasm one has to mention. Miggy P's position is as vague this year as it was last. Riley and Matt will both end their present contracts - will they renew? Who can say.
The present probable first team Spring squad for next year is!!
Will Smeed, Tom Lammony, Archie Vaughan, Thomas Rew, Tom Abell, Sean Dickson, James Rew, Lewis Goldsworthy, Josh Thomas, Lewis Gregory, Craig Overton, Alfie Ogborne, Jake Ball, Jack Leach, JT Langridge with overseas additions and new signings?
Josh and Kasey will help out during the next 3 games and then it will be 'Fanx Tara' for them. Ben is at the moment expected to go up to his new country for the last three though yesterday there was discussion about whether we'd let that happen given the problems we have with our bowling resources presently and the fact he will be with us for his last white ball games at Edgbaston next Saturday for Blast Finals Day.
Tomorrow will be an interesting team selection but it probably will bear no real resemblance to the bowling attack of the first game in April of 2026. The winter will be a speculative time at best. Can we find the last bit of the jigsaw for a Championship pennat before it becomes irrelevant in the new 'ECBLand' of UK domestic cricket where Somerset will become increasingly irrelevant for all the wrong reasons.
POST SCRIPT
As CJM has pointed out in the first comment below this, Ben Green has been asked to remain in Taunton due to the bowling issues;
The squad named for tomorrow is;
Vaughan, TKC, Lammonby, James Rew, Abell, Goldsworthy, Gregory, Aldridge, Green, Overton, Davey, Leach and Ball
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:13:17:56:57 by Grockle.
Squad: Vaughan, Kohler-Cadmore, Lammonby, James Rew, Abell, Goldsworthy, Gregory, Aldridge, Green, Overton, Davey, Leach and Ball.
Yorkshire, who are still in the battle to avoid relegation, are without all-rounder Matt Miles, who was injured at Scarborough last month. Their 14-man squad, captained by former Somerset spinner Dom Bess, is:
Lyth, Bean, Agarwal, Wharton, Bairstow, Revis, Hill, Bess, Thompson, Moriarty, White, Luxton, Cliff, Duke.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:07:15:50:31 by cricketjerry-mouse.
Yorkshire have won the toss and will field
Interesting that we thought Lewis might be a Franchise casualty but it appears that fate has fallen on Craig.
Could this be the shortest ever tail in a SCCC team?
PS Josh was listed to open but I see Archie is back there. Still a very short tail though!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:08:10:30:36 by Wiltshire55.
No, I'm not serious.
If it doesn't turn I'm not sure where the wickets will be coming from and if it does we'll probably see Dom Bess's career best figures as that has been the theme of returning players this year.
Was this the game where the Grocklee Convention was returning or is that the Hampshire game?
I'm going to keep this thread open as the comment one for the game as a 4 day report grows over time so any comments on the Yorkshire game - stick them here and I'll decide what to tag as the lead story once the next 4 das have shaken their detail out.
Craig looked heavily strapped and we didn't bowl him through as usual in the QF. There is no one else after that. Alfie is obviously still carrying this hip injury and JT Langridge is out for the season with a rib injury. The only other one is Kian Roberts I suppose.
We no longer have 'depth' (did we ever) without the 3 bowlers who are moving on. Unless of course we want to pick a spin bowling attack - we have a number of those though they are nearly all lefties.
Thought Hill bowled very well, but his efforts were then somewhat undermined by Dom Bess.
TKC walking forward to many deliveries & a little surprising that Bairstow hasnât come up to the stumps to counter that.
Hopefully we can build on a solid first session.
Suspect Jack Leach may well have a big role to play in this game.
Grizzers
Truncated day because of the weather.
Tom Lammonby bld George Hill â early on there was life in the pitch.
James Rew 4 runs â well placed ball (smile)
James Rew 4 runs and his 50
James Rew 4 runs and 100 partnership
Archie Vaughan 4 runs.
We had it all today â Sunshine, Rain, Lighting, Thunder and Hailstones.
For others interested Somerset are presently involved in an appeal against a points deduction of 20 points for the Durham game (allegedly) so this game is moderately important to both sides and maybe they should be disucssing sanctioning Jonny B for posting photos of the unrolled, unmowed pitch the day before the game started - what could that possibly have been in aid of?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:09:20:11:30 by Grockle.
Mr Bairstowâs photography efforts wonât help our appeal, albeit our batting efforts to date should hopefully offset.
Sigh.
Grizzers
Lewis Goldsworthy also did very well. Perhaps a future opening spot beckons.
Finally, 391/6 sends a pretty clear message to Bairstow re his photographic contribution.
Grizzers
not a lot today, my camera was under wraps because of the weather.
Tom Abell
Tom Abell
Lewis Goldsworthy 4 runs
Lewis Goldsworthy 4 runs (1)
That is all today.
Quote:Grockle
For those intertested, don't forget the Members Forum 20 minutes after the close of play today in the CA Pavilion... so about 4pm probably.
Anyone attend the forum this evening? News on clubs vote regarding number of County Championship matches? Hope we are keeping our original stance of 14 and not changed view. This 13 game proposal is nonsense.
But the forum wasn't from SCCC, it was the 'member directors' I believe seeking input re what members would like to see.
Meantime, SCCC have released an interview with Anthony Gibson re Sean Dickson's departure & the points deduction issue, which remains outstanding........
[www.youtube.com]
Grizzers
The club have also released a Press confirmation of the situation with Sean which is also available on the Blast QF thread or available on the website
Sean leaving for Glamorgan
Just think what they could have scored if it had been more friendly to the batters.
Bairstow's pics are looking a pretty poor piece of judgement on his part, but I fear the worst re the Durham game.
Have any other teams been deducted points since Somerset a few years back, and has the suspended part of the penalty now gone?
Not sure if this can be read by anyone but think it can. Yorkshire fans donât seem happy with their performance at all.
I quite enjoyed the cricket yesterday and enjoyed company on Gimblettâs Hill immensely. I actually thought the pitch looked pretty good and their seam bowling was really good early on. I always enjoy watching Tom Abell and I thought Goldsworthy looked very much the part too. Give me watching hard tight cricket like that first hour was against watching a six every other delivery. Moriarty looked a poor spinner to me.
I missed the contentious lbw decision Abell against White. What did anyone think ? Clear the Yorkshire fans thought out but they would , wouldnât they?
Doesnât look like we are travelling today . Pretty poor September ; there is no justice after all the good weather for the 100 trash.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:10:09:17:09 by Des Platt.
We all thought Somerset would declare at 110 overs to try and get bowling points before the end of play!
We have noticed the groundsman is no longer using the raised covers on the pitch, using matting and the white sheet on the pitch will make it sweat.
I have decided not to go today with the bad forecast, and I have things to do.
Grizzers
Lots of praise on Yorks Forum for Somerset live stream though they seem to have found commentators irritating .
Given the weather it's almost certainly going to be a moot point, but yep, make them follow on and bowl them out again.
Chances are slim in the extreme, but it is a chance!
Still, I guess itâll be damp all day anyway, so fingers crossed we can make the most of any opportunities we get when we can get back on the field.
Grizzers
Such is life, as Ned Kelly may or may not have said.
Of course with the mad fixture lists we get today, there is no guarantee of the fixture even if respective teams are in the same division.
Gave it a miss yesterday but am going today.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:11:08:46:59 by Des Platt.
Tractor was also here but he's hardly ever away. Grizzer was somewhere on the ground and MIke was in his usual position.
There was some mubbling about Bobstan deffing it out because of the weather (they weren't impressed sir!!)
I've mentioned them all in the front page report to make the historic event. Though it looks pretty doubtful that their appearance will do the 'King Arthur' thing and bring the West Country victory in time of peril!!
Not there today. At home in south Somerset dodging the torrential downpours, watching the online stream.
Very impressive bowling this morning. Particularly pleasing to see Bairstow exiting, after plenty of time wasting on his part over the course of the game.
Another season will go by without the Championship we all crave, but hopefully we can end it positively, despite the seemingly inevitable heavy points deduction.
Grizzers
Saved hundreds of pounds though!!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:11:15:33:40 by Des Platt.
Unfortunately the one group who don't really care is the central manging body of the sport and the domestice season so I fail to see how it is going to get batter unless the ECB change what is now their fundamental reason for existing,
Finlay Bean lbw Lewis Gregory
Adam Lyth off Josh Davey
James Wharton bld Josh Davey
The weather won in the end.
.
He moved to Southampton at the end of the 2019 season, and his county - Somerset`s next championship opponents - now find themselves dragged into the relegation battle. This is always assuming the ECB decide there is relegation this season; they have yet to make up their mind with just two matches remaining.
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:12:00:31:51 by cricketjerry-mouse.
A poster on Yorkshire`s fans forum already dismissing their new overseas player, Indian top-order Test batsman Mayank Agarwal - a first ball debut victim of Lewis Gregory yesterday - as not `anything like as good as his predecessor Iman.`
I had the live scorecard up in the corner of my screen all four days, and could only hope that you were all under a roof and having a nice pint/chat throughout all the hours it said 'match delayed by rain' ...