Warwickshire play Somerset at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton this week, as the teams meet for the first time in this year’s Rothesay County Championship.
Through seven games, both teams are in position to challenge for the title, with Somerset third and Warwickshire fourth, towards the top end of a congested Division One table.
Here’s what you need to know before play gets under way on Friday 19 June at 11:00am…
Bears’ form guide (last three)
W-D-D
The Bears, while fourth in the table, are just five points behind Essex who currently occupy top spot. Through seven games, Warwickshire have recorded two wins, four draws and a solitary loss to keep themselves firmly in Championship contention.
Last week’s hard-fought draw against Yorkshire saw the side show plenty of grit, with Head Coach, Ian Westwood, delighted with his team after they battled through the final day. “We’ve shown so much character there. Lots of teams would have fallen away,” Westwood said following the result.
That’s been a characteristic of the team throughout 2026, with the Bears now unbeaten in their last five outings.
Three in focus
Sam Hain
With 531 runs at an average of 59, Sam Hain is compiling another fantastic Rothesay County Championship season. The top order batter scored two half-centuries against Somerset when the two teams met last season, and after producing a match-saving 69 off 218 deliveries last time out against Yorkshire, he arrives in Taunton in good form.
Olly Hannon-Dalby
Fresh from signing a new three-year contract that will keep him with the Bears until 2029, Olly Hannon-Dalby will be looking to continue his impressive form in the Rothesay County Championship. Since being recalled from his short-term loan at neighbours Worcestershire, the 6ft 8in Yorkshireman, alongside Ethan Bamber, has been the spearhead of the Bears attack.
Craig Overton (Somerset)
Former England international, Craig Overton, is putting together a fine Rothesay County Championship campaigns. He’s currently the second highest wicket-taker in Division One with 31 wickets at an average of 19, while also scoring over 400 runs with the bat at an average of 43.50. He is a genuine match-winner amongst a strong Somerset squad.
Opposition insight
Somerset ran out comprehensive 306-run victors away at current title holders Nottinghamshire last week, a result that saw them climb up to third in the table.
Batting first, Somerset were bowled out for 310, with opener Jordan Hermann scoring 106, while Thomas Rew (68) and Archie Vaughan (66*) also made telling contributions. Four Lewis Gregory wickets then helped Somerset bowl Notts out for 193 in their reply.
In the second innings, an unbeaten century from Thomas Rew (127*) and three wickets before the close on day three put Somerset firmly in control. Five wickets from former England player Craig Overton saw Somerset pick up a first win in four games mid-way through the afternoon session on day four.
Somerset will be without Thomas Rew for the Bears’ visit due to his late call-up for England as a replacement for Jamie Smith.
Previous meetings
The teams last met in 2025 as they played out a draw at Edgbaston Stadium. First innings hundreds by Tom Kohler-Cadmore (104) and Tom Lammonby (133) put Somerset in control, as they reached 498 all out. In reply, Alex Davies and Sam Hain both scored 78, and Tom Latham 65 before the Bears were dismissed for 351.
Looking to force a result, Somerset added 229 in their second innings before declaring eight down, with Corey Rocchiccioli the pick of the Warwickshire bowlers with five for 67.
Set an unlikely 377 to win from 69 overs, the Bears were able to see out the game four wickets down, as Hain (68) notched a second half century in the match.
The last time the two teams played in Taunton was in August 2024, with the home side prevailing by five wickets. In a thrilling contest, Somerset chased down 410 on a flat pitch, thanks largely to an unbeaten 152 off 207 balls by Tom Abell.