Cricket

Somerset County Cricket Club has secured the return of Australian fast bowler Riley Meredith for the 2025 season. The 28-year-old will bolster Somerset's bowling attack in the Vitality Blast, with the potential to also feature in the County Championship and One-Day Cup.Meredith made a significant impact during his first stint with Somerset in 2023. His 14 wickets in the Vitality Blast played a crucial role in the team's run to Finals Day, although he missed the knockout stages due to international commitments with Australia. He also claimed six wickets in three One-Day Cup appearances."I had a fantastic time at Somerset this year and I'm thrilled to be coming back next summer," said Meredith. "We had some great success, and I'm eager to contribute to even more victories in 2025."Somerset's director of cricket, Andy Hurry, praised Meredith's performances and character. "Riley's on-field contributions were exceptional, and he integrated seamlessly into our team," said Hurry. "His world-class pace and aggression will be invaluable to our squad once again."Meredith's return is a major boost for Somerset, who are aiming to challenge for silverware in all three domestic competitions. The Australian quick will provide a potent threat with the new ball, complementing the existing pace attack of Josh Davey, Jack Brooks, and Lewis Gregory.Somerset's 2025 campaign will begin with the Vitality Blast in May. The County Championship and One-Day Cup will follow, with the exact schedule yet to be confirmed. Meredith's availability for these competitions will depend on the structure of the season and his international commitments.

Josh Hazlewood's calf strain has ruled him out of Australia's T20I series against Scotland next month, adding to the team's injury woes. Riley Meredith has been called up as his replacement.Hazlewood sustained the injury during training last week, and while it is described as minor, the selectors are likely to take a cautious approach ahead of a busy home summer that includes five Tests against India. He is expected to be available for the T20Is and ODIs against England later in September.Meredith, who last played for Australia in 2021, has been in impressive form for Somerset in England's white-ball competitions. He has taken 14 wickets in the T20 Blast and six in the one-day cup, including a match-winning 4 for 27 against Middlesex at Lord's.Hazlewood's absence is the second blow to Australia's pace attack, with Spencer Johnson also ruled out with a side strain. The pace attack for the Scotland series will now feature Meredith, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, and Nathan Ellis, alongside allrounders Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, and Marcus Stoinis. Adam Zampa and the uncapped Cooper Connolly will provide the spin.Hazlewood was the only one of Australia's "big three" quicks initially included for the full tour of the UK. Mitchell Starc will feature in the ODIs against England, while Pat Cummins is missing the entire trip to focus on strength and conditioning ahead of the home summer."The priority at the moment is to smash out some gym work and start reassessing in a few weeks a path forward," Cummins said last week. "I'm just trying to fill up the bucket again after two years of non-stop bowling. [Hoping] come that first Test [against India] in as good of a position as I have been in for a few years."Australia fly out to Scotland on Monday with the first T20I taking place in Edinburgh on September 4.

Somerset emerged victorious in a thrilling Vitality Blast encounter against Kent Spitfires, securing a 14-run victory in a rain-affected match reduced to five overs per side.Tom Kohler-Cadmore played a pivotal role for Somerset, smashing 24 runs off just nine deliveries. His whirlwind cameo included a six and four off the first two balls he faced, setting the tone for Somerset's aggressive approach.Kent's bowlers struggled to contain Kohler-Cadmore and his teammates, with Nathan Gilchrist claiming 2 for 12 on his debut. However, Somerset's innings was marred by a flurry of wickets, with Charlie Stobo and Grant Stewart also picking up scalps.Chasing a revised target of 61 off five overs, Kent's batting lineup faltered under the pressure of Somerset's tight bowling. Riley Meredith and Jake Ball proved to be formidable obstacles, restricting Kent to a mere 46 for 5.Meredith's accuracy and Ball's experience proved too much for Kent's batsmen, who were unable to find the boundaries consistently. Sam Billings, Kent's skipper, managed a 10-ball 16, but his dismissal in the fourth over effectively ended Kent's hopes of victory.Somerset's disciplined bowling and fielding ultimately proved decisive, as they claimed their fourth win in six games to maintain their leadership of the South Group.

Somerset's Riley Meredith orchestrated a devastating bowling performance at Lord's, leading his team to a resounding nine-wicket victory over Middlesex in the Vitality Blast. The Tasmanian quick claimed 4 for 12, while Craig Overton, Josh Davey, and Ben Green chipped in with two wickets each, as Middlesex crumbled to their lowest-ever score in the competition's history.Middlesex's batting woes began early, with Martin Andersson's early boundaries proving to be a false dawn. Meredith's dismissal of Andersson triggered a collapse, with Stephen Eskinazi and Holden falling to reckless shots. Overton's maiden over to Ryan Higgins further tightened the screws, and Joe Cracknell edged Meredith to wicketkeeper Tom Banton.By the time the opening bowlers departed, Middlesex were reeling at 34 for 6. Green's introduction proved equally devastating, as he removed Luke Hollman and Blake Cullen with his first two deliveries. Noah Cornwell and Tom Helm provided some resistance with a defiant 28-run stand, but their efforts were in vain.Somerset's chase was far less eventful. Banton and Tom Kohler-Cadmore both survived early chances, and they proceeded to guide their team to victory with ease. Banton finished unbeaten on 49, while Kohler-Cadmore contributed 30 not out.Middlesex's defeat leaves them rooted to the bottom of the South Group, while Somerset's third win of the campaign moves them up the standings. The match will be remembered for Meredith's exceptional bowling display and Middlesex's abject batting performance, which saw them bowled out for a paltry 79 runs.

Riley Meredith, the Australian fast bowler, has joined Somerset for their Vitality Blast campaign and will remain with the club until at least the quarter-final stage of the competition. The 27-year-old will also be available to play in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup group stages and a "managed number" of Vitality County Championship matches.Meredith has expressed his excitement about playing in English conditions and is eager to contribute to Somerset's success. "Somerset are the current Vitality Blast champions and I'll be doing everything I can to help them retain the title," he said.To date, Meredith has represented Australia in five T20Is, claiming eight wickets at an average of 23.50. He also played a one-off ODI against West Indies in 2021.Throughout his T20 career, Meredith has amassed 114 wickets in 91 matches, with an average of 25.42. His best performance came for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League, where he took 4 for 21. He has also represented Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings in the IPL.Somerset Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry, praised Meredith's abilities and experience. "He bowls with real pace and skill and will add further experience and a different dimension to our bowling attack," Hurry said.Meredith is determined to achieve further international recognition and is eager to play a key role for Somerset this summer. "Somerset are one of the biggest names in the English domestic game and I'm excited to be able to play a part in their journey this year," he added.