Somerset have shared some honest truths in the build-up to their LV= County Championship clash with Worcestershire after relinquishing a winning position against Middlesex last time out.
New director of cricket Matthew Maynard saw his side slip to a second consecutive defeat to start the season as centuries from Adam Voges and James Franklin saw Middlesex run down an unlikely victory target of 402.
The loss has made the trip to newly-promoted Worcestershire, who have also lost their opening two matches, even more significant as both counties look to get their seasons up and running.
“This is a big game for us as they all are in this division and we were disappointed with the result of our last game,” Maynard told the club’s official website.
“We had a good practice with the players on Friday to go through the last game and where we need to improve. I think it’s important also that the guys coming back into the squad are aware of where we fell short against Middlesex and what we need to do to improve.
“I thought the feedback at our meeting was terrific and there was a nice lot of honesty from the players. They know that we are not far away but there are areas we need to work on such as developing partnerships lower down the order.”
Alfonso Thomas and Craig Overton have been drafted into Somerset’s squad for the trip to New Road.
Overton, who has been working his way back from a calf injury sustained on the England Lions tour of South Africa, is set to replace his twin brother Jamie, who has had scans on a heel problem that limited him to seven balls in Middlesex’s chase. Tim Groenewald also drops out of the squad
Maynard hopes that the inclusions of Thomas and Overton will provide greater support for Lewis Gregory– who has snared 13 scalps in two games – as Somerset look for a formula to take 20 wickets.
“Lewis Gregory has been absolutely fantastic but he hasn’t quite been backed up by the bowlers and that’s an area we need to focus on and improve on,” Maynard said.
James Hildreth, who hit 187 in the first innings against Middlesex, admitted that was an area of concern, adding: “There are a few things we need to look at and bowling sides out twice is a big area for us and obviously getting those late-order runs to get us past 550 to put pressure on the opposition.
“The beauty of the season is that the games come thick and fast and although two defeats in our two games is obviously disappointing, Sunday allows us to get back on the horse straight away and put things right.
“We are all excited by this opportunity to turn our fortunes around.”
Worcestershire have made changes to their squad most significantly with Joe Leach replacing all-rounder Gareth Andrew, who has suffered a recurrence of a back problem.
Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: "Gareth has had a recurrence of a problem with his back so we are going to give him a little bit of rest time.
"He had a good start to the season, batted well and bowled well, but these things happen and this is why we've got a squad.
"Thankfully for us we've got a very able and like for like replacement in Joe. He didn't let us down last year, in fact he did really well, and I'm sure he will be desperate to prove to people what he can do once again.
"The other one coming back isRoss Whiteley. He is coming back into the side and he has just come off the 100 in a second-team game against Middlesex setting up a win.
"We are happy to be bringing in people who are in reasonable form.
"Tom Kohler-Cadmorehas gone out of the side and sadly missed a few runs in the two games that we have played.”
England Under-19s all-rounder Ed Barnard is also included in the Worcestershire squad after impressing with the Second XI.
LV= County Championship Division One facts
Worcestershire v Somerset
- Somerset have won three and drawn three of their last six Championship games against Worcestershire, after losing six of the preceding seven meetings.
- Two of the five players with 700+ runs and at least 50 wickets since the start of last season play for Somerset: Jim Allenby and Peter Trego.
- Somerset have scored 65.5% of their runs off the bat this season in boundaries, the highest proportion across both divisions.
- Charlie Morris is one of two players to take at least five wickets this season with all being top-four batsmen (also Graham Wagg).