Cricket Prediction | SOM vs GLO | Vitality Blast Men 2025 | South Group | July 18 – Who’s in Better Form Coming Into This Match?

SOM vs GLO Match Analysis

The South Group clash between Somerset and Gloucestershire will take place at The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton. The match is scheduled for the evening of July 18 and is expected to draw a huge crowd for this intense West Country derby.

Somerset have had a somewhat inconsistent run in this season’s Vitality Blast but remain a dangerous outfit, especially at their home ground. With a well-balanced squad featuring power-hitters, seasoned internationals, and dependable bowlers, they are always in contention. 

Gloucestershire has shown flashes of brilliance this season but has struggled to close out tight games. Their mix of promising domestic talent and key overseas players gives them a fighting chance against any opposition.

Somerset vs Gloucestershire Team Preview & Squads

Somerset

Lewis Gregory, a dependable all-rounder, leads Somerset with calm authority and tactical intelligence. Known for his lower-order power hitting and disciplined medium pace, Gregory often delivers in crunch moments. 

SOM lineup features a dynamic mix of power hitters and steady hands. Tom Banton and Will Smeed provide explosive starts, while the likes of Tom Abell and Tom Kohler-Cadmore stabilize the innings. Shakib Al Hasan adds all-round value and solidity in the middle order.

SOM bowling attack is spearheaded by Craig Overton and Riley Meredith, both capable of early breakthroughs. Left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merwe adds control in the middle overs, while Jake Ball and Ben Green round out a versatile attack. Shakib’s spin and Lewis Gregory’s medium pace offer additional flexibility.

In their last outing, Somerset faced Surrey in London and suffered a heavy 67-run defeat. A late-innings blitz saw Surrey reach 201/6, as Somerset’s bowlers failed to stem the flow in the middle overs. In response, Somerset faltered with the bat, folding for just 134 in 19.3 overs. 

Somerset Squad

Somerset

Josh Davey, Shakib Al Hasan, Ben Green, Roelof van der Merwe, Jake Ball, Tom Kohler-Cadmore (WK), Andrew Umeed, Tom Abell, Lewis Gregory (C), Jack Leach, Craig Overton, Sean Dickson, Tom Banton, Riley Meredith, Tom Lammonby, Kasey Aldridge, Lewis Goldsworthy, Ned Leonard, Will Smeed, James Rew, Sonny Baker, Joshua Thomas, George Thomas II, Alfie Ogborne, Shoaib Bashir, Archie Vaughan, Charlie Cassell, Joe Heywood.

Gloucestershire

With an aggressive mindset, Jack Taylor commands GLO with front-foot authority. A capable middle-order batter and part-time spinner, Taylor leads by example with his energetic style. His leadership will be tested against a high-quality Somerset side.

GLO boasts a formidable top-order with Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft setting the tone. James Bracey and Graeme van Buuren provide a solid middle-order presence. The inclusion of Jack Taylor and Ollie Price ensures the batting stretches deep.

The pace of Marchant de Lange and Paul van Meekeren leads the bowling department. Left-armer Matt Taylor and leggie Zaman Akhter offer variety, while Tom Price and Josh Shaw bring consistency. Todd Murphy’s off-spin is expected to play a crucial role on the Taunton track.

Gloucestershire suffered a heartbreaking last-ball defeat to Sussex at Cheltenham. After putting up a competitive 185/5 on the board, they failed to defend the total as Sussex chased it down in exactly 20 overs. Despite decent spells from Tom Price and Matt Taylor, the lack of control in the final overs cost them the game. It was a bitter pill to swallow in a game they seemed to have under control.

Gloucestershire Squad

Gloucestershire

Marchant de Lange, Paul van Meekeren, Matt Taylor, Cameron Bancroft (WK), Marcus Harris, Graeme van Buuren, Chris Dent, Jack Taylor (C), Miles Hammond, Josh Shaw, James Bracey, Ben Charlesworth, Cameron Green, Tom Price, Todd Murphy, Ajeet Singh Dale, Dominic Goodman, Ollie Price, Zaman Akhter, Joe Phillips, Archie Bailey.

SOM vs GLO Outfield Report

The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton

Batters relish the conditions at Taunton under lights, where the ball comes on beautifully. The true bounce and shorter square boundaries often result in high-scoring encounters. However, spinners and slower bowlers can find grip as the game progresses.

The weather forecast for July 18 in Taunton looks clear with no rain expected. Temperatures will hover around 21–24°C during match hours with mild humidity. A cool breeze in the evening could aid swing bowlers early on.

Taunton has witnessed first-innings scores of 190+ frequently this season. The highest T20 score here is 229, while scores below 160 are considered below par. Chasing under lights has worked well in recent matches, making the toss crucial.

Somerset vs Gloucestershire Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

In their last five encounters, Somerset has had the upper hand, winning three times, while Gloucestershire has won two matches. 

SOM vs GLO Prediction

According to cricket analysts Somerset have a 55% chance of Winning.

Disclaimer: This cricket prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.