New Delhi, Could 12 (IANS) Somerset’s plans for the beginning of their T20 Blast title defence have suffered a significant setback after Australia chosen Riley Meredith for subsequent month’s white-ball tour of Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The quick bowler, who returned to Taunton for a 3rd straight Blast stint this season, will now miss Somerset’s opening six South Group matches due to worldwide obligation with Australia between Could 30 and June 14.
Meredith had been anticipated to steer Somerset’s tempo assault once more after enjoying a central function in final 12 months’s trophy-winning marketing campaign. The 29-year-old was the standout bowler of the 2025 Blast, ending because the match’s main wicket-taker with 28 scalps in 14 appearances.
His call-up means Somerset will likely be with out considered one of their largest match-winners for a vital early stretch of the competitors, together with fixtures in opposition to Hampshire, Warwickshire, Glamorgan and Gloucestershire.
Meredith is now anticipated to return for Somerset’s derby conflict in opposition to Gloucestershire on June 26.
Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry acknowledged the disruption attributable to the Australia choice however stated the membership remained supportive of Meredith’s worldwide commitments.
“Representing your nation is the very best honour you could obtain in sport and we’re clearly happy for Riley. The present schedule of world cricket implies that this type of state of affairs can all the time come up, and we will likely be working behind the scenes to know all our choices shifting ahead till Riley is offered later in June,” stated Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry.
The Australia tour consists of three One-Day Internationals in Pakistan adopted by three T20Is in Bangladesh, with the squad set to be away from the Blast for over two weeks in the course of the match’s opening section.
Whereas Meredith’s absence is the largest blow for Somerset, Australia’s squad announcement has additionally affected Gloucestershire, with all-rounder Liam Scott unavailable for a similar interval.
Scott, who had signed up for the Blast and two County Championship fixtures, will miss Gloucestershire’s opening T20 matches in opposition to Warwickshire, Glamorgan, Northamptonshire, Yorkshire, Somerset and Worcestershire, along with the Championship sport in opposition to Northamptonshire starting on June 12.
The 25-year-old is predicted to return in time for Gloucestershire’s County Championship assembly with Worcestershire on June 19.
–IANS
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