Somerset 2026 T20 Blast Cricket Draft Preview
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Overview
The strongest T20 side in England over recent years. Have made finals day every year since 2021, winning the tournament in 2023 and 2025. Topped the South group last summer, winning 11 and losing three of their 14 games. Overcame Birmingham Bears off the penultimate ball in the quarter finals before defeating Lancashire and Hampshire on Finals Day to lift the trophy.
Will Smeed (620 runs) and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (557) stood out with the bat, finishing the competition as second and third highest run scorers. Meanwhile, returning overseas pacer Riley Meredith topped the wicket taking charts with 28. They are a team that bats deep and has firepower throughout the innings with hard hitting openers, Tom Abell and James Rew in the middle with an array of all-rounders that find the boundary at the death. Will likely be the team to beat again this summer.
Banker/Wildcard/Young Gun/England Pick
Banker: Daniel Sams (ALR)
Makes the switch from Nottinghamshire, having also had a stint with Essex so has good experience in this tournament. Someone with high match involvement given his prominent role with the ball, picking up wickets at the death and his hitting at the latter stages of the batting innings, as his ability to clear the ropes helps collect points. Made 162 runs and picked up 16 wickets for Notts in 2025.
Wildcard: Lewis Goldsworthy (ALR)
An interesting Cricket Draft option. He bowled 44 overs last year, the fifth most for a Somerset player and he collected 13 wickets. Batted lower in the order but is someone who can come in at different points of the innings. Highest score last summer was 29 not out and is a real differential option.
Young Gun: Thomas Rew (WKT)
The 18-year-old highly rated keeper played three times last year and will be aiming to feature more often this time round. May not be in the team originally, but with several Somerset players in contention for an England call-up, he is one to watch for when he gets his opportunity.
England watch: Tom Banton (WKT)
Was a key part of England’s run to the T20 World Cup semi finals in the winter and will be looking to cement his place in the side for the summer ahead. Predominantly batted at the top of the order for Somerset, but used in the middle for England so will be interesting to see what route Somerset take in the Blast, given they have other strong opening batting options.
Potential Strongest XI for 2026 T20 Blast
No | Player | Role |
1 | Will Smeed | BAT |
2 | Tom Banton | WKT |
3 | Tom Kohler-Cadmore | WKT |
4 | James Rew | WKT |
5 | Tom Abell | BAT |
6 | Lewis Gregory | ALR |
7 | Daniel Sams (OS) | ALR |
8 | Craig Overton | ALR |
9 | Lewis Goldsworthy | ALR |
10 | Riley Meredith (OS) | BWL |
11 | Josh Shaw | BWL |
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