September 23, 2024

Northeast Shines as Glamorgan Defeats Somerset to Win One-Day Cup

Glamorgan Secures Second 50-Over Title in Four Years After Shortened Final

Glamorgan clinched their second Metro Bank One-Day Cup title in four seasons, defeating Somerset by 15 runs in a rain-affected final at Trent Bridge. The match was reduced to 20 overs per side due to a washout the previous day. Still, fortunately, the weather stayed dry long enough for Glamorgan to lift the trophy.

Glamorgan set a target of 186 runs, with Sam Northeast leading the charge by scoring an unbeaten 63 runs. Billy Root contributed 39 runs off 27 balls, showcasing their skills in a vital fifth-wicket partnership. Timm van der Gugten added a quick 26 runs off just nine balls, supporting the effort after Will Smale’s brisk 28 off 14 balls at the beginning of the innings. Somerset, in response, could only manage 171 runs for 6 wickets, falling short of the target.

Glamorgan Triumphs as Somerset Misses Out Again

Skipper Sean Dickson made a powerful impact with 44 runs off just 20 balls, following Andy Umeed’s solid performance of 45 runs from 36 balls for Somerset. However, Glamorgan’s bowlers, Ben Kellaway and Andy Gorvin, each took two wickets, setting the stage for Jamie McIlroy and Dan Douthwaite to successfully finish the game with tight bowling in the final overs.

This defeat marked another disappointment for Somerset, who had already lost in the Vitality Blast final and been eliminated from the Vitality County Championship just days earlier. Unfortunately for Glamorgan, their victory was witnessed by only a few spectators on the ground rather than the larger crowd gathered the previous day.

Notably, England spinner Jack Leach did not bowl, as Somerset chose to rely on five seam bowlers. George Thomas took 2 wickets for 23 runs, while left-armer Alfie Ogborn claimed 2 for 36 runs in their four-over spells.

After a complete washout on Sunday, the teams returned for the reserve day, and play began on time. The match was sensibly reduced to 20 overs per side. Somerset won the toss and chose to bowl, with the floodlights illuminating the misty conditions at Trent Bridge.

Glamorgan’s Strong Start and Somerset’s Struggles in the Final

Alfie Ogborn struck early for Somerset, taking two wickets with his third and fourth deliveries—bowling Glamorgan skipper Kiran Carlson and seeing Tom Bevan caught weakly at short fine leg. Despite this, Glamorgan scored 39 runs in the first four-over powerplay, thanks to Will Smale’s aggressive batting.

Smale quickly racked up 28 runs off just 13 balls, hitting three boundaries over third man and striking Ogborn for six over mid-on and square leg. His innings ended when skipper Sean Dickson made a spectacular catch while falling backward at mid-off.

Colin Ingram, one of Glamorgan’s key players, struggled and was dismissed for just 11 runs, caught at long-on off George Thomas. After 10 overs, Glamorgan found themselves at 71 for 4 and needed to boost their innings. Billy Root stepped up, hitting three sixes, while Sam Northeast joined in with two of his own, one from a free hit, as Kasey Aldridge’s final over went for a damaging 29 runs. They added 78 runs in just 49 balls before Root was caught behind off Thomas.

Glamorgan lost two quick wickets shortly after, with Northeast run out due to a mix-up on a no-ball, leaving big hitter Dan Douthwaite stranded. Ben Kellaway was then caught at short third man. However, Timm van der Gugten provided a late surge with a flurry of boundaries, raising the total to a defendable score on the slow pitch.

In response, Somerset struggled during their powerplay, losing Thomas to a run-out in the third over. They reached only 63 for 2 after 10 overs, despite Lewis Goldsworthy—who had scored a century in the semi-final—being dismissed after picking out a fielder at long-on off Kellaway. However, Andy Umeed started to find his rhythm, beginning to score some runs for Somerset.

Somerset’s Struggles and Glamorgan’s Strong Position

Somerset faced a double blow when Andy Umeed was dismissed after a fantastic catch by Will Smale off Andy Gorvin’s bowling. James Rew followed, caught after top-edging a sweep shot, leaving Somerset at 89 for 4 in the 13th over, putting Glamorgan in a strong position.

However, a rapid partnership of 66 runs in just five overs between Sean Dickson and Archie Vaughan brought Somerset back into contention. Vaughan survived an lbw shout from Kellaway early in his innings, which was ruled as an umpire’s call. Dickson played aggressively, scoring 44 runs off just 20 balls, hitting two sixes off Timm van der Gugten and another off Jamie McIlroy. Unfortunately, he was caught at short third after reversing a delivery from Gorvin that could have been called wide, which cost Somerset valuable momentum as they needed 32 runs from the last 15 balls.

Somerset needed 29 runs from the final two overs as the match progressed, a challenge that proved too difficult. Dan Douthwaite took a crucial wicket when he dismissed Green, who mishit a shot to square leg. Vaughan’s boundary off the last ball was too late to make a difference, sealing Glamorgan’s victory.