Somerset maintained their bid for a Vitality Blast quarter-final spot with a stunning seven-wicket victory over Central and West Group leaders Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Taunton.
Northamptonshire batted first and posted a modest 162 for eight. The standout performance came from Lewis McManus, who smashed a career-best 76 off just 43 balls, including seven boundaries and four sixes. Among the Somerset bowlers, Daniel Sams impressed, taking three wickets for 16 runs in four overs.
In response, Somerset chased down the target comfortably, reaching 164 for three with five overs remaining. Openers Will Smeed and Thomas Rew set the tone with explosive batting—each scoring 46 off 20 balls. Their rapid partnership of 74 runs in just 5.2 overs effectively sealed the win. Tom Kohler-Cadmore finished the job with an unbeaten 38 runs.
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The Steelbacks struggled to build momentum after losing key batsman Chris Lynn early, dismissed for just one run by Jake Ball. By the end of the powerplay, Northamptonshire were 45 for two, losing Ricardo Vasconcelos to Craig Overton’s bowling.
Throughout the middle overs, Somerset’s seamers and spinners applied pressure by mixing pace and cutting down scoring opportunities on a well-used pitch. McManus remained the lone threat, reaching a quick half-century, but wickets fell around him regularly, limiting the total achievable.
Daniel Sams played a vital role with the ball, expertly using cutters and slower deliveries to remove Louis Kimber and Gus Miller. Riley Meredith’s late spell also contributed, despite some late fireworks from McManus.
Somerset’s chase was aggressive from the start. Will Smeed’s power hitting took him to 31 runs in three overs, while Thomas Rew’s 50-run stand with Smeed came off just 23 balls. Despite Smeed falling at the end of the powerplay, Rew responded aggressively, hitting multiple sixes.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore, returning from injury struggles this season, capitalised on the strong start to post a valuable unbeaten score, supported by James Rew, who struck four consecutive boundaries. By the time Rew was dismissed for 24, Somerset’s victory was assured.
With their captain Lewis Gregory back from injury, Somerset head into their final group game against Worcestershire in formidable form, needing only a win to secure a home quarter-final.