SOMERSET’S in-form spinner Max Waller is relishing the prospect of playing a key role in his side’s first home T20 quarter-final since 2012.

The 30-year-old is in confident mood, too, stating: “We back ourselves against anyone – Notts are going to have to play very well to beat us on the day.”

His bullish belief is well placed, given both his and the team’s fine form in the group stage.

Somerset won 10 of their 14 matches - including a remarkable run of seven straight victories - to finish top of the South Group, with Waller taking 14 wickets - including his 100th in T20 cricket - and, crucially, going at just 6.44 an over.

That is more than two runs an over cheaper than any other Somerset bowler so far, and Waller is understandably pleased with how he has fared.

He told the County Gazette: “I’ve been bowling well and bowling the first over regularly, which has given me confidence and gets me into the game early.

“I am really pleased with how I have gone personally and I need to make sure I keep this consistency going in the knockout stages.”

Waller may have been the most consistent of the attack, but a feature of Somerset’s tournament has been fine individual displays at different times - helping produce some excellent team performances.

“It has been a real team effort,” Waller said.

“We have a very deep batting line-up – Roelof van der Merwe coming in at eight is as strong as any side will have in that position – so we are very spoilt by that.

“Everyone has done their job and put their hands up at different times, which is what good T20 sides do.

“We got on a good run and once you start winning it becomes a habit – the games come thick and fast so momentum builds easily.

“We’ve been 40-3 several times and still posted considerable totals.

“The middle order has been firing and the top order has fired at times too, with Myby’s amazing 100 against Essex an example, so it breeds confidence within the dressing room that anyone can stand up and deliver and we can win a game from any position.”

Waller played in Somerset’s most recent home quarter-final, the 27-run win over Essex in 2012, a result which sealed Somerset’s fourth successive appearance at finals day.

They have not been back since, and Waller is as keen as anyone to put that right.

“It’s been a while, especially having played in it four years in a row from 2009 to 2012 – so it would be pleasing to get there again.

“Sunday will be packed out and I’m looking forward to the atmosphere – it will be a lively one.”

Waller is also aware that, should he continue to impress in the televised knockout rounds, further opportunities could arrive at his door.

“I’ve put my name in for the franchise competitions this winter so hopefully something will come of that,” he said.

“I have been putting in consistent performances for a while now, it’s not like I’ve just done it for a year.

“I feel I’ve done OK throughout the 10 years I’ve been playing T20, and in the last couple of years in particular I’ve shown what I can do, so if I do get an opportunity somewhere it’s down to me to make the most of it.

“It would be good to play with and against different players rather than just being in the same environment all the time.

"Anything on TV is a good shop window so everyone will be out to impress.”

*** Somerset have named the following squad for tomorrow's match (with captain Lewis Gregory set to undergo a fitness test to see whether he can lead out the side): Tom Abell, Corey Anderson, Dom Bess, Josh Davey, Steve Davies, Lewis Gregory (c), James Hildreth, Johann Myburgh, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Jerome Taylor, Peter Trego, Roelof van der Merwe, Max Waller.

The forecast for tomorrow afternoon is not promising, but Somerset have insisted that the decision to play (the full 20 overs or reduced overs), or to postpone until Monday, rests with the umpires on the day.