Umeed steers Somerset to victory

In a match reduced to 49 overs a side due to rain, the hosts struggled pretty much from the outset. Only Said Zaib provided any real resistance, hitting 57 as they were dismissed for 155 in just 38 overs.

In reply, Andy Umeed was the star performer for the Cidermen, striking a brilliant 63 as the visitors made light work of chasing down 156 to win by seven wickets.

Umeed’s knock came off just 66 balls, blasting six fours and two sixes, as he and George Thomas (28) gave Somerset the perfect start to their chase.

Although Umeed fell with just 21 needed, James Rew and Sean Dickson were able to knock off the remaining runs and ensure victory, which puts Somerset top of Group A on eight points.

Hampshire, Worcestershire and Derbyshire are also on eight points, but each have played a game less in the standings.

Post-game, Somerset bowling coach Steve Kirby delivered his verdict on his side’s excellent performance in the East Midlands.

“I was so proud of our process that we have been looking to be better in every game, that was our best performance in regards the numbers that we are trying to achieve. That is how straight we are trying to bowl in one-day cricket.

“We’re just keeping it really simple, trying to hit the top of the stumps. More than we've done before and the numbers actually today we're up at about 75-80%, which is incredible, and we've got our rewards. I know the surface was a little bit favourable to bowling, but we still had to put the ball in the right areas.”

Kirby also praised the strength and depth of the Somerset squad, particularly with a number of frontline stars currently away on duty in The Hundred.

"The other thing I'm hugely proud about is the fact that we've obviously lost a lot of players to The Hundred, which is a fantastic thing for the club, but it’s also a testament really to the whole squad that we're competing heavily in this competition having lost 13 players. How many other counties can say that?"

Somerset will be looking to build on this success when they play host to Worcestershire at Taunton on Friday.

“There’s a lot in belief in the side,” added Kirby. “The lads are a little bit more mature now, they've played a little bit more 50 over cricket. Playing 20 over cricket is one thing, but playing 50 over cricket, you have to understand the game. Personally, I think it's the best format because it's got all of it in there hasn't it?

“What we're doing, we're learning from each game and we're gaining more and more confidence in that we're going to come up against some good teams now,  so yeah, it bodes well for us.”

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