Match Preview | Rothesay County Championship | Somerset | 8 September 2026

A fortnight of cricket here at Uptonsteel Grace Road gets underway as we welcome Somerset to Leicester. We then take on Hampshire the following week. Somerset and Leicestershire find themselves battling at opposite ends of the table. With a result crucial for both counties as we get into the final act of the 2026 Rothesay County Championship.

This week marks the first red-ball meeting between Leicestershire and Somerset since July 2021, when the two sides played out a draw at Taunton. Somerset took 15 points from the contest, with Leicestershire collecting 14.

Just three players from the Leicestershire XI that featured that week remain with the Foxes today: Rishi Patel, Lewis Hill and Ben Mike.

There is another familiar name on the scorecard, too. Current Fox Josh Davey was representing Somerset and recorded his First-Class best with the bat, scoring 75 in their first innings.

Five years on, the two sides meet again with plenty at stake at opposite ends of the Division One table.

Somerset arrive sitting top of the standings, holding a four-point advantage as they continue their pursuit of a first-ever County Championship Division One title.

The Foxes, meanwhile, sit ninth, just seven points behind eighth-placed Yorkshire as the battle at the other end of the table intensifies.

Leicestershire have found some much-needed rhythm in the multi-day format following a difficult first half of the campaign. Victories over Yorkshire and Glamorgan have been complemented by hard-fought draws away at Yorkshire and against Nottinghamshire, giving the Foxes momentum heading into the closing stages of the season.

SQUAD:
Young Theo Marshall is included in the squad as the academy graduate put pen to paper on a month long deal. Whilst loan signing - Nathan Gilchrist - is also included as the Foxes have late fitness tests to be completed.

Ben Green continues to progress well in his rehabilitation from a quad injury. The all-rounder remains unavailable for selection for this fixture, but continues to build towards a return to action.

Ben Mike returns to the squad and is available for selection after sustaining a knee injury during his spell against Glamorgan. 

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