Riley Meredith's Australia call-up forces Somerset to reshape Blast campaign
Synopsis
Somerset's Blast campaign loses its leading wicket-taker from last season as Riley Meredith departs for Australia's white-ball tour of Pakistan and Bangladesh. The 29-year-old, who took 28 wickets in the 2025 final, will miss Somerset's opening six South Group matches — a significant blow during the tournament's make-or-break early phase.
Key Takeaways
Riley Meredith selected by Australia for white-ball tour of Pakistan and Bangladesh from 30 May to 14 June .
Meredith will miss Somerset's opening six T20 Blast matches , including fixtures against Hampshire , Warwickshire , Glamorgan , and Gloucestershire .
The 29-year-old was the 2025 Blast's leading wicket-taker with 28 scalps in 14 appearances .
Expected return date for Somerset: 26 June (derby vs Gloucestershire ).
Gloucestershire's Liam Scott also unavailable for the same period, missing six T20 matches and a County Championship fixture.
Somerset's T20 Blast title defence faces an early setback after fast bowler Riley Meredith was selected by Australia for a white-ball tour of Pakistan and Bangladesh spanning 30 May to 14 June. The 29-year-old, returning for his third consecutive Blast stint, will miss Somerset's opening six South Group matches due to international duty.
Meredith's impact on Somerset's campaign
Meredith was pivotal in Somerset's 2025 Blast triumph, finishing as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 28 scalps in 14 appearances. His absence now deprives Somerset of a match-winner during a critical early stretch featuring fixtures against Hampshire, Warwickshire, Glamorgan, and Gloucestershire. The bowler is expected to return for Somerset's derby clash against Gloucestershire on 26 June.
Australia's tour schedule
The Australian squad will contest three One-Day Internationals in Pakistan followed by three T20 Internationals in Bangladesh, keeping players away from domestic competition for over two weeks during the Blast's opening phase. This scheduling conflict reflects the broader tension between international and domestic cricket calendars.
Somerset's response and support
Andy Hurry, Somerset's director of cricket, acknowledged the disruption while reaffirming the club's backing for Meredith's international selection.
Point of View
The scheduling structure leaves county sides vulnerable to exactly this kind of mid-campaign disruption. For Somerset, adapting their pace strategy without Meredith's 28-wicket form from 2025 will test their depth far earlier than planned.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Riley Meredith unavailable for Somerset's T20 Blast?
Riley Meredith has been selected by Australia for a white-ball tour of Pakistan and Bangladesh running from 30 May to 14 June . The tour includes three ODIs in Pakistan and three T20Is in Bangladesh , overlapping with Somerset's opening Blast fixtures.
How many Somerset matches will Meredith miss?
Meredith will miss Somerset's opening six South Group T20 Blast matches , including fixtures against Hampshire , Warwickshire , Glamorgan , and Gloucestershire . He is expected to return for the derby against Gloucestershire on 26 June .
What was Meredith's role in Somerset's 2025 Blast success?
Meredith was the tournament's leading wicket-taker, claiming 28 scalps in 14 appearances as Somerset won the 2025 Blast title. His absence now deprives the defending champions of a proven match-winner during their title defence.
Which other county is affected by Australia's squad announcement?
Gloucestershire's all-rounder Liam Scott is also unavailable for the same period, missing six T20 Blast matches and a County Championship fixture against Northamptonshire beginning 12 June . He is expected to return for Gloucestershire's Championship match against Worcestershire on 19 June .
