Somerset boosted their chances of reaching the Metro Bank One-Day Cup quarter-finals with a confident four-wicket victory over Kent Spitfires at Canterbury. Tom Lammonby starred with a composed 102 off 104 balls as Somerset successfully chased down Kent’s total of 269 for nine, finishing at 270 for six with 5.3 overs to spare.
Kent’s innings featured a solid 97-run second-wicket partnership between uncle and nephew Joe and Jaydn Denly. Jaydn was the top scorer for Kent with 65 runs and also contributed with the ball, taking two wickets for 41 runs. However, Somerset’s strong batting lineup ensured they never looked at risk during the chase.
Kent’s innings started poorly with Ben Dawkins dismissed for five by Jake Ball. The Denlys then steadied the innings before both were dismissed in quick succession by Jack Leach, who finished with impressive figures of 2 for 37. Leach’s key wickets helped curb Kent’s momentum.
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Following the Denlys’ dismissals, Jack Leaning and Harry Finch added a 54-run partnership, but Leaning fell for 19, and Finch was run out for 48, leaving Kent with a total that was competitive but not imposing. Lower-order contributions from Corey Flintoff and Fred Klaassen, who notably hit back-to-back sixes in the final over, added some late runs but were insufficient to put Somerset under pressure.
Somerset’s chase began confidently, reaching 62 without loss before the wicket of Archie Vaughan. Key wickets fell during the middle overs with Kent’s Jaydn Denly and spinner Cohen temporarily halting Somerset’s progress. Nevertheless, Lammonby’s elegant century kept Somerset in control.
As the target neared, Josh Thomas impressed with quick runs of 24, including two sixes, but Somerset required some calm from the experienced finishers. Ben Green and Fin Hill steadied the innings and took full advantage when Kent’s Ekansh Singh spilled a difficult catch, allowing Green to hit the winning runs and seal the victory.
With this result, Somerset sit second in their group, facing bottom-placed Northamptonshire at home in their final group match on Tuesday. A win should guarantee their place in the quarter-finals, though Yorkshire have already secured the top spot with a superior net run rate.