Match Reports

Somerset v Gloucestershire

Liam Norwell's troublesome hamstring flared up again and saw him leave the field after bowling only nine deliveries as Gloucestershire went down to a six wicket defeat at Taunton in their first South Group fixture in the Vitality T20 Blast.

Norwell had already seen Ryan Higgins spill a catch on the boundary that would have removed Steven Davies in his opening over before, midway through his second over, he pulled up in his run-up and headed immediately for the dressing room.

Norwell now looks likely to be out of action for some time, and on a good Taunton pitch the remaining Gloucestershire's bowlers couldn't contain a Somerset top order who were in explosive mood, with Davies and Trego putting on 90 runs in 7.1 overs to lay the platform for a six wicket win with more than three overs to spare.

Watch captain Michael Klinger's post match thoughts here :

MATCH REACTION : Michael Klinger reflects on the defeat to Somerset in the opening South Group game in @VitalityBlast pic.twitter.com/oktq4Odxyp

— Gloucestershire CCC (@Gloscricket) July 6, 2018

Gloucestershire's total of 188-6 after being put into bat was boosted by 30 runs in the final two overs, runs that were essential to post a respectable score after wickets fell steadily until Jack Taylor and Ryan Higgins joined forces at 90-4 in the 11th over.

At that stage only Michael Klinger had cleared the boundary with a solitary six off Gregory as Somerset used seven different bowlers, but together the pair added 58 with Taylor twice pulling Davey into the stands at mid wicket in one over which cost 19 runs.

Somerset skipper Gregory returned to remove Taylor for 34, leaving Higgins to attack Jamie Overton's final over, which includes four boundaries and saw the former Middlesex all rounder complete his third white ball fifty of the season from only 33 balls.

Whist Somerset used leg spinner Max Waller as an opening bowler, Gloucestershire captain Michael Klinger went for the more traditional combination of David Payne and Liam Norwell, only to lose the latter before four overs were up.

Somerset's opening pair of Steven Davies and Johan Myburgh had shown aggressive intent early on, and with an attack deprived of Norwell they plundered 53 runs in three overs from Benny Howell, Thisara Perera and Tom Smith.

Davies, having survived his early chance, took only 21 balls to reach his 50, striking two sixes and eight fours before he was caught by Jack Taylor off Higgins at mid wicket.

Hildreth came in and cleanly struck two sixes of his own to maintain the run rate whilst Trego, who had bowled Klinger off an inside edge earlier in the day, made his way to a 30 ball half century with eight fours and a six.

Hildreth's departure in the 13th over for 25 allowed a brief cameo from Corey Anderson, who threatened to see Somerset to a convincing victory alongside Trego until Miles Hammond held a chance in the deep off Smith with the finishing line in sight.

It was therefore left to Trego to finish the match with another six - his third - to give Somerset victory.