Vitality Blast 2023 South Group: Somerset beat Essex by 7 wickets

Somerset's batting master-class strengthened their position at the top of the Vitality Blast south group with a seven-wicket crushing of Essex.

Match Summary

Essex vs Somerset, South Group, Vitality Blast

Essex 186/10 (19.2 ov)

Somerset 187/3 (16.3 ov)

Result - Somerset won by 7 wickets

Scorecard

Match Report

Tom Banton (42), Will Smeed (36), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (28), Tom Abell (40 not out) and Sean Dickson (30 not out) struck 16 sixes between them in an almost perfect team batting performance.

Paul Walter whacked 51 and Robin Das a career-best 72 in a 94-run stand after slumping to 15 for three.

But Somerset ended Essex’s five-game winning streak by chasing down 186 with 21 balls to spare to move two points clear at the top of the group.

Smeed and Banton took on the 187 target with the intent of finishing the match in a hurry, the pair smashing 64 in 5.2 overs.

Somerset were only on 11 after two overs before Smeed took Shane Snater for three successive legside sixes in a 23-run over, and then Paul Walter was taken for 15 with both batters helping themselves to maximums.

Smeed’s 16-ball 36 salvo ended when he toed to mid-on, but that breakthrough didn’t pause the onslaught as Tom Kohler-Cadmore peppered Hayes Close with three sixes and 21 off Matt Critchley.

Kohler-Cadmore cleared the press box but Simon Harmer had him caught next ball and Banton – who had reversed an outrageous six – was leg before to Sam Cook for 42.

Snater was brought back for a second over, Sean Dickson plonked him over the square leg boundary two more times – the Dutch international going for 42 in his two overs.

Sams returned two for 22 in a rare break from cannon fodder, and could have had three had Das held onto Dickson, but Abell and Dickson eased over the line soon after.

Essex had been stuck in and were three down inside three overs.

Jack Brooks returned from his loan at Nottinghamshire for his first Somerset Blast appearance of the season and has Feroze Khushi caught at deep point and Dan Lawrence skying – boasting two for eight after his first two overs.

New Zealander Matt Henry took the first of his three wickets when Michael Pepper’s extravagant shot was touched behind.

But Das and Walter got the hosts out of their 15 for three hole with two differing ways to bat aggressively – the pair putting on 94.

Walter took the aerial route with five sixes – starting with a pair of pulled before towering over cover, slog sweeping Roelof van der Merwe and then reaching his 26 ball fifty by clubbing a full toss over cow corner. He chased to point next ball to fall for 51.

Das showed off his touch play with some beautiful timing in his 11 fours, although showed the occasional muscle with two sixes over long on. His second T20 fifty came in came in 31 balls before unleashing to end up 72 off 39 balls.

He pinged Henry to long on which began Essex’s second collapse, losing their last five wickets for 43 runs in 31 balls.

Van der Merwe bowled Daniel Sams – before very publicly dislocating and attempting to relocate his finger – Will Buttleman gave Henry three for 24, Simon Harmer was run out backing up, Shane Snater run out chasing a second and Matt Critchley caught at short third after an enterprising 30.

Essex batter Robin Das:

“We were maybe a few runs short on that wicket, which turned out to be a very good batting wicket in the end. Somerset played really nicely but it isn’t much to dwell over, we’re just going to move onto the next one.

“I was pretty upset with the time I got out, I could have given us a stronger finish and got us past 200 – and a more competitive score. Overall I was happy. I started the innings quite nicely and then built in the middle overs.

“It was a good cricket wicket. It had a bit in it early for their bowlers and then gave value for your shots.”

 

Somerset head coach Jason Kerr:

“We were really pleased to only chasing 180 at halfway. It was a rapid outfield and for Brooksy and Henry to take three wickets with the new ball was outstanding and then the way we chased it was phenomenal.

“We have been excellent with the ball and in the field. We kept taking wickets, which is vital in T20 cricket and wrestled the momentum back.

“If you look at our opening partnership it is incredibly formidable. Smeedy played and missed his first could of balls but when he goes he goes. He is so dynamic and Banton is looking mature beyond his years. Their partnership intimidates the opposition.

“To chase 185 in the 17th over is a very comprehensive situation.”

Match Stats

Essex Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Feroze Khushi - 0.6 ov), 2-7 (Michael-Kyle Pepper - 1.3 ov), 3-15 (Dan Lawrence - 2.4 ov), 4-109 (Paul Walter - 10.6 ov), 5-143 (Robin Das - 14.1 ov), 6-148 (Daniel Sams - 15.1 ov), 7-159 (William Buttleman - 16.3 ov), 8-176 (Simon Harmer - 17.6 ov), 9-178 (Shane Snater - 18.2 ov), 10-186 (Matt Critchley - 19.2 ov)

Somerset Fall of wickets: 1-64 (Will Smeed - 5.2 ov), 2-92 (Tom Kohler-Cadmore - 7.2 ov), 3-121 (Tom Banton - 10.2 ov)

 

Playing XIs

Essex - William Buttleman(WK), Michael-Kyle Pepper, Dan Lawrence, Robin Das, Feroze Khushi, Daniel Sams, Simon Harmer(C), Matt Critchley, Paul Walter, Samuel Cook, Shane Snater

Somerset - Tom Banton(WK), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Abell, Will Smeed, Sean Dickson, Ben Green, Lewis Gregory(C), Roelof van der Merwe, Matt Henry, Josh Davey, Jack Brooks

 

Match Details

Date - 2023-06-19 18:00:00

Venue - County Ground, Chelmsford

Toss - Somerset elected to bowl

Umpires - Ben Debenham (England), Surendiran Shanmugam (England)

Match Referee - Alec Swann (England)

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