Vitality Blast - South Group

Kent 163-2 beat Somerset 159-6 by 8 wickets

SOMERSET were thoroughly outplayed by Kent as the visitors won by eight wickets to seal their fifth straight triumph in Taunton.

The hosts never got going with bat or ball and Kent made light work of chasing down Somerset's sub-par 159-6, easing home with 21 balls to spare as Heino Kuhn (67*) and Daniel Bell-Drummond (58) each struck half-centuries.

Somerset went into the match full of confidence after Friday night's comfortably derby victory over Gloucestershire but, having been put in, slipped to 22-3 midway through the fifth over.

Carlos Brathwaite claimed two of the victims, Steve Davies (2) clubbing a simple catch to mid-on and Peter Trego (5) missing a straight one, as the West Indian and Adam Milne (0-23 off four) showed the value top class overseas bowlers can bring.

For a time it looked as though Somerset would still post a challenging total, as James Hildreth and Tom Abell put on 58 for the fourth wicket, the latter striking sixes in successive overs to inject some much-needed momentum into the innings.

Brathwaite proved too good for the 24-year-old, however, bogging him down with dot balls and forcing a slog to cow corner which was comfortably held Alex Blake.

Hildreth went on to pass his half-century - and 3,000 career T20 runs - before holing out on 57 and Corey Anderson was not at his best in his unbeaten 30, struggling for timing throughout his 24-ball knock.

Two boundaries in the final over lifted Somerset to 159-6, Brathwaite ending with 4-21 as Kent's decision to bowl was vindicated.

Josh Davey struck early in reply for the hosts as Joe Denly (9) nicked behind, but Heino Kuhn joined Daniel Bell-Drummond and the pair eased the visitors towards their target.

There were no undue risks, as the pair rotated the strike at will, found the boundaries when required and took advantage of an uncharacteristically flat Somerset display in the field.

Bell-Drummond, who averages over 50 against Somerset in T20 cricket, soon passed his half-century from 35 balls before picking out Tom Abell at deep cover off Jamie Overton (1-35), but there were no such troubles for Kuhn once he passed a fifty of his own.

The South African struck a superb flat six off Overton to take the runs required into single figures and Billings finished it off in style from the next over, pulling a van der Merwe full toss into the Somerset Stand.

This was a hugely disappointing display in all aspects by Somerset which has dampened the optimism built up by Friday's victory.

It has also enhanced the need for a second overseas player to bridge the gap between Somerset and the best sides in the competition.

A seam bowler would be particularly useful, particularly given Corey Anderson has bowled just two overs across the two matches so far - conceding 29 runs in the process - as he works his way back from a lengthy lay-off.

Speaking afterwards, Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry said: "We have to pay credit to the way they bowled and fielded. With the bat they demonstrated another way you can go around winning a game so there are a lot of lessons for us to learn.

"Let's put it into perspective - we've played two games, absolutely nailed Gloucester and then had a very disappointing and below-par performance against Kent.

"Our batsmen struggled for timing but I think that has a lot to do with the variations from their bowlers - that's something we can learn from.

"It's important not to think too emotionally. We are hugely disappointed but we have time to reflect on it and I'm comfortable with the balance of the side at this stage.

"What's important now is how we bounce back on Friday [against Gloucestershire in Bristol] - we have to put in a good performance there."

Hurry went on to confirm that Somerset could call on Tom Banton for the match at Gloucestershire on Friday despite his current commitment captaining the England Under-19s.

"We have got the option that, if he is going to play first-team cricket, then we will have a conversation about potentially calling him back.

"When I have news regarding a second overseas player, I will relay it - I'm asking for patience on that front."