The Vitality Blast is undergoing a significant format change for the upcoming season, with the group stage matches reduced from 14 to 12 per team. Additionally, Finals Day will now take place in July, prior to the start of The Hundred tournament. These adjustments follow recommendations from the Domestic Playing Programme review and were approved by a majority of the Professional County Cricket Clubs (PCCs).
The competition will revert to a structure of three groups, each containing six counties. In the women’s Tier 1 competition, the group stage will also decrease from 14 to 12 matches, while expanding Finals Day to feature two semi-finals and a final.
In the men’s competition, Somerset will compete in the Central Group alongside Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. Teams will face each group rival twice, once at home and once away, and will also play an additional home and away match against a county from another group.
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Despite these plans, Somerset County Cricket Club has voiced its dissatisfaction with the changes. Club Chair Sir Michael Barber commented, “We have previously expressed our concerns about the Vitality Blast format. Along with some other counties, we opposed reducing matches from 14 to 12. While we are disappointed the majority supported this change, we accept the decision.”
He added, “We remain fully committed to the Vitality Blast as a premier competition and are determined to build on our strong track record. Our goal is to win as many games as possible and provide the best experience for Somerset fans at the Cooper Associates County Ground.”