SOMERSET V SURREY at Taunton (CB40), 27 AUGUST 2012

Even though they have lost three out of their last five in the CB40, Surrey could sneak into the semi-finals with a win over Somerset combined with assistance elsewhere - at the Riverside first and foremost, where the Oval outfit stand to benefit from a Durham victory. But, in all honesty, it's a long shot, especially given that Taunton is not what one would describe as a happy hunting ground for Surrey.

Nick Compton's back injury coupled with the absence of Craig Kieswetter means the Surrey attack just have Jos Buttler (289 CB40 runs at an average of 41.28), Marcus Trescothick (who is averaging 39.33) and possibly Alex Barrow, who has not let the Cidermen down in one-day cricket, to worry about. Well, that's if the form book is to be believed, because Peter Trego, who hasn't had the best of CB40's, is a danger if he gets going.

If Somerset have had a weakness in this year's Clydesdale Bank 40, it has been with the ball. Apart from Trego (14 CB40 wickets at 25.78 runs apiece), no one has taken more than nine wickets. Abdur Rehman and Craig Meschede have both notched up nine kills, but Rehman has been called up for Pakistan's ODI series against Australia in the UAE and Mescede is out with a broken finger. Much will, therefore, depend on Steve Kirby, who averages 19.75 runs per victim, and Alfonso Thomas, who has the highly respectable economy rate of 4.14.

Click here for the Surrey v Somerset List A Records sheet as at the start of the 2012 season.

Three Surrey bowlers have one-day milestones in their sights for a while, but they're edging closer to them - Gareth Batty (199 List A career wickets), Zander de Bruyn (148) and Murali Kartik (249). For Somerset, Jos Buttler is poised to make his 50th appearance in List A one-day cricket.

Jade Dernbach's involvement in the NatWest ODI series against South Africa means he isn't available to Surrey. Craig Kieswetter will be missing from the Somerset line-up for the same reason. With an unexpected, late season bonus in the shape of Kevin Pietersen, the visitors have opted to leave Rory Hamilton-Brown at home to reflect on his recent sequence of first team scores - 2, 8, 2, 2, 5 and 28.

The weather forecast suggests this contest will be lucky to avoid the wet Bank Holiday weather. But with both sides needing a win, I'm sure allowances to be made in order to get a game. Surrey have just a solitary victory to show from their last nine one-day visits to Taunton, which doesn't exactly bode well. If ever the Oval outfit needed Kevin Pietersen to make his star quality rub off, it's this week. I don't see it happening tomorrow, though. Sorry, but my head says Somerset win.

M Trescothick (capt), P Trego, C Jones, J Hildreth, J Buttler (wk), A Suppiah, A Barrow, L Gregory, A Thomas, G Hussain and S Kirby.

Steve Gale and Peter Hartley.

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