ESS vs SOM 87th Match, T20 Blast 2023

In the match, Somerset won the toss and elected to bowl first. Essex sent Daniel Lawrence and Feroze Khushi to open the innings, but they had a disastrous start as they lost three wickets within the first 16 balls of the innings. Lawrence(8 runs), Khushi(1) and Pepper(0). The early breakthroughs were credited to the impressive bowling performance by Somerset's Brooks and Henry.

However, Essex found stability in the middle overs as Das and Walter took charge and steered their team's innings. They formed a strong partnership of 94 runs in just 51 balls, hitting boundaries with ease and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Robin Das was the top scorer for Essex, registering his second half-century in the T20 Blast. He played a brilliant innings, scoring 72 runs off 39 balls, including 11 fours and 2 sixes. Paul Walter also played a crucial role, reaching his fifth half-century in T20 Blast before departing at 51 off 27 balls. Matthew Critchley contributed 30 runs to the total.

Unfortunately for Essex, their lower order failed to put up substantial runs on the board, and they were eventually bundled out for 186 runs in 19.2 overs. Somerset's bowlers put up an impressive performance, led by Matt Henry who picked up three wickets while conceding just 24 runs in his four overs. Jack Brooks and Ben Green also made valuable contributions, taking two wickets each, while Roelof van der Merwe claimed one wicket.

Chasing a target of 187 runs, Somerset got off to a flying start, scoring 65 runs in the first six overs, albeit losing one wicket. Banton and Smeed opened the innings with aggressive shots and formed a partnership of 64 runs in just 35 balls before Smeed was dismissed for a quickfire 36 off 16 balls. Tom Kohler-Cadmore entertained the crowd with a blistering knock of 28 runs off just 11 balls, which included four sixes.

Tom Banton played a crucial innings for Somerset before walking off the field, scoring 42 runs off 30 balls, including five fours and two sixes. After Banton's departure, Tom Abell and Sean Dickson took charge in the middle overs and continued the boundary-hitting spree. They guided Somerset towards the target with ease, and the team crossed the victory line with 16.3 overs to spare and 7 wickets in hand. Abell scored an unbeaten 40 runs, while Dickson remained not out on 30 runs.

From Essex's bowling perspective, Daniel Sams was the standout performer, taking two wickets for 22 runs in his four overs. Simon Harmer also contributed with a wicket. Despite their efforts, Essex couldn't defend the total, and Somerset emerged victorious, securing their eighth win in the South Group and climbing to the top of the table.

Stick around for the post-match presentation...