ON an amazing night at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Somerset emphatically defeated Derbyshire by 191 runs in the quarter final of the Vitality Blast.

It was a night of records for Somerset and cricket in general. Notably the side set the highest T20 total on English soil.

Standout performances from openers Tom Banton and Rilee Rossouw helped Somerset set a target of 265/5, the most this season for the Cidermen but more importantly the highest T20 score ever scored on English soil.

As Banton scored 73 runs from 41 balls, Rossouw scored 93 runs and in doing so he set the record for most runs in a single T20 season for a Somerset player. The previous holder of that record was Babar Azam.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News: Somerset's record breaking night. Picture: Somerset CCC

After winning the toss, Derbyshire elected to field first and perhaps misjudged their pitch on their first ever T20 trip to the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton.

In the 15th over Rilee Rossouw hit 36 runs off a single over; facing Mattie McKiernan he scored 5 sixes, 1 four and had 2 runs from a no ball.

At this point Somerset were 191/2 and looking strong, however two overs later Rossouw was dismissed, caught by McKiernan, bowled by Hughes. He was replaced by Lewis Gregory and last two balls before he was dismissed by Hughes as well.

No fear though as in the 18th over Tom Lammonby scored 25 runs off 5 balls to add a very important boost to the final run tally.

He was bowled out in the final over but not before he scored 31 from just 9 balls. Ben Green joined Abell at the crease to add 2 sixes and 14 runs to see Somerset set 265/5 and break the record for highest T20 score on England soil.

Pick of the away side’s bowlers was George Scrimshaw who took 2 wickets for 16 runs in his 4 overs. Meanwhile Mattie McKiernan had a night to forget being hit for 82 runs. In fact, the most expensive T20 figures of all time.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News: Somerset's record breaking night. Picture: Somerset CCC

In reply, Derbyshire opener Harry Came made 8 runs before his wicket fell in the first over at the hands of Craig Overton, caught behind by Banton.

In his first over, Josh Davey initiated the first ever DRS review in a Somerset game at the County Ground but unfortunately it was missing the stumps and Reece survived to fight on.

In the fourth over, Peter Siddle joined the attack and took the wicket of Luis Reece just as the batsman was starting to find his rhythm. Two balls later Siddle had Leus du Plooy for a duck, caught by Banton.

Siddle picked up his third wicket of the evening in his next over, George Bartlett catching Hilton Cartwright on the boundary.

Next over Lewis Gregory got himself in on the action, he bowled Brooke Guest as Derbyshire continued to struggle. The visitors required 222 runs to win from 13 overs.

 

Gregory got the next wicket soon after, Wayne Madsen caught off Roelof van der Merwe for 14 runs and that had Derbyshire 61/6 at the end of 9 overs.

Ben Green continued the carnage in the 10th over, he dismissed Alex Hughes for 12, then Mark Watt for a golden duck. He missed out on the hattrick, but it was a truly top over.

Roelof van der Merwe came in for his first over of the match and just one ball into it, Ben Aitchison was run out for 2. One wicket remaining for Derbyshire requiring 198 runs to win.

Then in the 12th over, Bartlett miraculously caught a high ball on the boundary to give Ben Green his third wicket and Somerset an emphatic 191 run victory.

The bowlers made sure to get some glory as well with Peter Siddle taking 3 for 10 in 2 overs, Ben Green with 3 for 17 in 2.2 overs and Lewis Gregory finishing with 2 for 11.