SOMERSET will look to take their impressive four-day form - three wins from four in the Bob Willis Trophy - into T20 cricket, as they launch their Vitality Blast campaign with two away matches this weekend.

Like in the Bob Willis Trophy, Somerset are in the Central Group alongside their counterparts from Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

They will play each team home and away, aiming to reach the quarter-finals and, ultimately, Finals Day on Saturday, October 3.

Somerset play away to Birmingham Bears tonight (6.30pm) and then Northants Steelbacks on Sunday (2pm), before hosting Glamorgan on Tuesday (6.30pm).

Looking ahead to the competition, Somerset head coach Jason Kerr told the County Gazette: “As a coach, it's about the language we use to the group, to take the pressure off - T20 cricket gives us some freedom.

"We will look to maintain our standards and play cricket that entertains.

“Confidence is huge - if you feel good about your game, it makes adapting to a different format that much easier.

“But we will need to be 100 per cent committed.”

Last season's T20 campaign heralded a thrilling opening partnership between Tom Banton and Babar Azam, but they are currently unavailable due to playing on opposite sides in the England versus Pakistan IT20 series which starts today.

Kerr said that Somerset are still waiting to hear about Babar’s availability after that three-match series (running through to Tuesday, September 1), but are hopeful of a decision being made soon.

Lewis Gregory takes his place alongside Banton in the England squad, so Tom Abell captains the Somerset squad which has been named for tonight's match against Birmingham.

Ollie Sale and Max Waller, who have not yet featured in the Bob Willis Trophy, come in for Jack Brooks and Lewis Goldsworthy.

Somerset squad: Tom Abell (c), George Bartlett, Eddie Byrom, Josh Davey, Steve Davies, Ben Green, James Hildreth, Tom Lammonby, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Ollie Sale, Roelof van der Merwe, Max Waller.

Somerset narrowly missed out on a place in the quarter-finals in 2019, so Kerr is looking for all-round improvement this year in order to go that stage further.

"Our batting was outstanding last year," he said.

"We're strong in the spin department, our seamers showed really good skills, but we are looking to nail clarity for individuals.

"There are areas where we can improve, and if we do that then we will tick all the boxes as a T20 side."