Somerset has revealed its squad for this summer’s Metro Bank One Day Cup, with promising young talent Lewis Goldsworthy appointed as captain. The team faces a unique challenge this season, as many first-team regulars are away competing in The Hundred, paving the way for fresh faces to shine.
Among the new inclusions are Ben Church, an 18-year-old right-handed batter and wicket-keeper from Somerset Academy; Savin Perera, a 27-year-old left-handed batter and former England under-19 international affiliated with the South Asian Cricket Academy; and Johnny Connell, a 23-year-old batter representing Berkshire with an impressive track record in National Counties cricket.
The squad is missing key players such as Will Smeed, Tom Banton, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Abell, Thomas Rew, James Rew, Lewis Gregory, and Craig Overton due to Hundred commitments, while injuries to Alfie Ogborne and Fin Hill have also opened further opportunities.
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Ben Church’s cricket journey began in Bath, advancing through local clubs and Somerset’s Pathway programme since under-10 level. Johnny Connell boasts multiple century performances across formats, including a stellar 150-run innings for Berkshire against Middlesex and a century for the National Counties XI versus Zimbabwe Emerging. Savin Perera has been in fine form this season, amassing 282 runs at a commanding average of 70.50 in Second XI matches for Somerset.
Captain Lewis Goldsworthy expressed his pride in leading the side: “It’s a real honour to captain this squad and have the support of the club. While we miss some key players, this format has always been about giving young talent a chance to gain experience and perform under pressure. I aim to lead by example and lean on our experienced players to guide us through.”
Head Coach Jason Kerr echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the squad’s readiness despite the absence of several stars. “The Metro Bank One Day Cup offers a fantastic platform for our emerging players to showcase their skills in competitive conditions. Our goal remains to win every match while maintaining Somerset’s proud cricketing tradition. Ben, Savin, and Johnny bring quality to the side, and we’re excited to see how they perform.”
With a blend of youth and experience, Somerset’s squad is eager to rise to the challenge and deliver strong performances throughout the tournament.