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George delivers on Vitality Blast debut
All-Rounder George Thomas made his Vitality Blast debut on Friday, smacking an incredible 25-ball 40 to help see off Surrey.
He then followed it up with a run-a-ball 29 in his side’s comprehensive win at Hampshire.
Head Coach, Jason Kerr said that he was “really impressed” with George. He also commented on how he was “particularly impressed with how he coped under pressure early and how he managed himself through the innings” and that George had “done brilliantly”.
It’s been an impressive start for George who has been enjoying his time in the Vitality Blast.
“I very happy with how it’s going,” he said when we spoke to him on the eve of the clash with Sussex Sharks. “Everything’s happened so fast, and it went like a flash. I’m glad the nerves are over, but the excitement is still there.”
When did George find out that he would be playing against Surrey?
“I found out the day before when Jason called me,” he explained. “Unfortunately, Will Smeed picked up a hamstring injury and I felt that I might be in with a shot. When he called me, the nerves kicked in straight away. Shortly after that I saw the Club’s post on line that said the game was a sell out and that made the nerves even worse but also increased the excitement at the same time. It was such a proud moment because I’ve worked really hard to get to this point.”
How did he feel when he walked out to bat with Tom Banton?
“The nerves just stopped. It was so good to be able to walk out there with one of my best mates and it felt like I was meant to be there. You have to believe in yourself in those situations. The adrenaline was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. You know that you have to rise to the occasion and Bants helped me by getting off to a flyer. You just have to let your instincts take over, and that’s what I did.
“We’ve won our last two games and that’s huge for us in terms of the group table and trying to get a home quarter final. That’s what we want because we’re such a tough team to beat at home. Hampshire was a very different innings, and it was good for my confidence.”
George also played a vital role in Somerset securing the Second XI T20 title this summer. The team lifted the trophy at Wormsley this week and the 20-year-old believes that it is a trophy that the team were destined to win.
“We were the best team in the competition, and we deserved to win the trophy. Everyone has been on top of their game all summer and it was a great day out at Wormsley yesterday. There’s so much strength in depth. It’s almost like we’ve got two First Team T20 teams.
“What a week it would be if we could win a trophy and then secure a home quarter final. That would make me a very happy man!”
