Dickson helps Glamorgan past old side Somerset on night of floodlight drama
Glamorgan 203 for 6 (Dickson 63, Tribe 48) beat Somerset 202 for 6 (Gregory 51, Abell 41) by four wickets
Glamorgan recorded a sensational Vitality Blast double over holders Somerset with a thrilling four-wicket win off the very last ball at the Cooper Associates Ground in Taunton. In a match defined by outstanding batting performances, dramatic momentum shifts, and multiple floodlight failures, the Welsh county showed incredible resilience to get over the line in almost near-pitch darkness.
Somerset Post a Massive Total After Losing the Toss
Having been asked to bat first, Somerset’s openers set a blistering pace. Tom Banton and Josh Thomas put together a highly entertaining half-century opening stand in under five overs. Banton was in devastating form, smacking five boundaries and two massive sixes in his rapid 39 off just 18 deliveries. However, his explosive innings was cut short when he was caught at deep square leg off the bowling of former teammate Ned Leonard.
Leonard struggled with his lines thereafter, ultimately conceding 50 runs from his three overs. Despite this, Glamorgan’s bowling unit fought back tenaciously. Ben Kellaway dismissed Josh Thomas for 18, caught just as the powerplay concluded with the total at 60. The pressure soon escalated as Jordan Hermann was run out by Kiran Carlson following a poor call by Tom Abell, and Thomas Rew was clean-bowled by Dan Douthwaite for a mere 2. From a position of strength, Somerset found themselves in trouble at 83 for 4.
Gregory and Abell Turn the Tide
The middle-order resurgence was led by Somerset skipper Lewis Gregory and Tom Abell. The pair shared a vital fifth-wicket stand of 90 runs to put the pressure back on the visitors. Gregory was particularly aggressive, striking four massive sixes on his way to a 24-ball half-century. The duo took full advantage of the bowling, looting 24 runs off the 15th over delivered by Ned Leonard. Gregory ultimately top-scored with 54 off 28 balls.
Abell played a crucial anchoring role, facing 28 balls for his 41 before being caught at deep square leg off the bowling of Dan Douthwaite. Gregory followed shortly after, run out by alert wicketkeeper Will Smale while attempting a cheeky single. However, Daniel Sams ensured Somerset would comfortably pass the 200-mark, smashing a quickfire 24 off just 12 balls to push the final score to 202 for 6. Douthwaite ended as the pick of the Glamorgan bowlers with 2 for 35 from his four overs.
Glamorgan’s Chase Hit by Floodlight Outage
Glamorgan’s run chase began in explosive fashion. Kiran Carlson took the attack to Craig Overton, hitting him for a massive six in the first over. He followed that up with another maximum in the second over off Josh Shaw, as the visitors raced to 29 for 2. However, the game was suddenly interrupted when the stadium floodlights failed, plunging the players into darkness.
After intense consultations between the umpires and both captains, the decision was made to resume play with one light tower still completely off. Carlson, on 29, was immediately dropped by Thomas Rew at midwicket off Daniel Sams’ very first delivery but perished to the next ball, skying a catch to long-off. Ben Kellaway quickly departed to Jake Ball, and Will Smale was trapped lbw for 22 while attempting to pull a ball from Overton. Overton ended the powerplay with a superb wicket-maiden, leaving Glamorgan struggling at 55 for 3.
Sean Dickson Leads the Fightback Against His Former Team
The match swung once again as former Somerset batsman Sean Dickson took center stage. Alongside Asa Tribe, Dickson began to rebuild the innings with calculated aggression. He survived a scare on 14 when he was dropped by Jake Ball at third-man off Gregory’s bowling. It proved to be an incredibly expensive miss for the hosts.
Dickson punished his former side, clearing the ropes off both Josh Shaw and Lewis Goldsworthy. Another massive six off Daniel Sams brought up his half-century in just 33 deliveries. Sams eventually got his revenge with a clever slower ball that Dickson hit straight back for a high return catch, departing for a brilliant 63 off 36 balls with Glamorgan at 144 for 4 after 15 overs.
A Breathless Last-Over Finish Under the Lights
Asa Tribe continued the momentum, accelerating brilliantly with two fours and a six off Ball before being caught at short fine leg off a Josh Shaw full toss for a well-played 48. In reply, the Welsh county managed 194 for 5 off 19.2 overs, setting up a thrilling finale.
Glamorgan needed 16 runs off the final over, bowled by Jake Ball. Dan Douthwaite kept his cool, launching the second delivery for a massive six. But in another dramatic twist, the floodlights failed for a second time. When play finally resumed, Douthwaite was caught at long-on, leaving the match on a knife-edge. However, veteran finisher Jimmy Neesham held his nerve, hitting the winning four through the leg side off the final delivery to secure a remarkable victory for Glamorgan in a night of pure floodlight drama.
