Smeed Stars as Somerset Cruise to Victory Over Essex in Vitality Blast

Smeed Stars as Somerset Cruise to Victory Over Essex in Vitality Blast

Somerset made it two wins from two in the 2025 Men’s Vitality Blast, as Will Smeed’s commanding knock powered them to a dominant eight-wicket victory over Essex at Chelmsford.

Smeed hammered 81 off 54 balls in a clinical chase of Essex’s modest total of 148, securing the win with more than four overs to spare. His explosive innings featured a flurry of boundaries and showcased his composure as he registered his 13th T20 fifty for Somerset.

Opening alongside Tom Lammonby (36), Smeed helped put on a 96-run partnership for the first wicket. The pair set the tone early, with Smeed finding gaps and Lammonby lofting a six over square leg in a show of authority. Although Matt Critchley removed both Lammonby and Tom Kohler-Cadmore in quick succession, Somerset never looked troubled.

Earlier, Essex chose to bat but endured a rocky start and a disastrous finish. They collapsed to 36 for three in the powerplay, with Adam Rossington falling to the first ball of the innings, and both Michael Pepper and Paul Walter dismissed cheaply — the latter to a stunning one-handed boundary catch by Thomas Rew.

A middle-order rescue act came through Dean Elgar (50 off 36) and Matt Critchley (54 off 31), who shared an 83-run stand that appeared to steady the innings. Elgar punished the leg-side with precision, while Critchley unleashed a range of innovative strokes, including two reverse-scoop sixes.

However, Elgar’s dismissal triggered a late collapse, with Essex losing their last six wickets for just 29 runs. Ben Green was the chief architect of the damage, claiming three wickets in a single over. Riley Meredith (2 for 18) and Lewis Gregory also contributed as the tail crumbled, culminating in Essex being bowled out for 148.

Critchley was the lone bright spot with both bat and ball for Essex, but his efforts couldn’t prevent a second successive heavy defeat following their 106-run loss to Hampshire in the opener.

In stark contrast, Somerset continued to assert their credentials as early title contenders, dispatching Essex with ease in a match that barely tested their composure.

Match Summary:

  • Essex 148 all out (Critchley 54, Elgar 50; Green 3-30, Meredith 2-18)

  • Somerset 149 for 2 in 15.5 overs (Smeed 81, Lammonby 36)

  • Result: Somerset won by 8 wickets

Somerset next face Kent, while Essex will be desperate to turn their campaign around after back-to-back

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