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Andy Impresses again but Hampshire come out on top
Toby Albert’s 96 not out steered Hampshire to a five-wicket win over Somerset in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at Utilita Bowl.
Albert arrived in the middle after a top-order wobble but took ownership of the chase of 243 with his highest List A score – with a 100-run alliance with Felix Organ getting his side over the line.
Andy Umeed had backed up his opening match century with an effective 84 whilst some late order fireworks from Ned Leonard took Somerset to 242 but the hosts reached their target with 23 balls to spare.
Umeed and Josh Thomas set a strong platform after Somerset had chosen to bat, with the openers comfortably notching 85 in the first 19 overs.
Umeed scored 613 runs in last year’s One Day Cup – with only Warwickshire’s Ed Barnard scoring more – and begun the 2024 edition with a classy unbeaten 114.
He was equally in control at Utilita Bowl. His blueprint was clear; using the leg side for easy singles and the off side for his five fours and one of his two sixes. Thomas was also serene on his promotion to the top of the order, in place of his ill brother George.
However, the partnership was ended by Dom Kelly and a juggling Joe Eckland at deep fine leg.
Lewis Goldsworthy followed Thomas after chipping to mid off, James Rew was lbw attempting a paddle, and Umeed – after a 74-ball fifty – slapped a Nick Gubbins drag down to midwicket.
Archie Vaughan was bowled to give Tom Prest his second, Sean Dickson – after a pacy 19 – looked back to find his middle stump had taken a trip, Kasey Aldridge diverted a full toss to short third and Alfie Ogborne and Jack Leach had their off stumps upended.
However, Leonard gave the back end of the innings impetus and entertainment, a straight six was the pinnacle but his 16 ball 28 was vital in getting his side to 242, before he was the last man out in the final over.
Hampshire’s reply stuttered in the gloves of Rew, as they found themselves 20 for two and then 61 for three.
Gubbins slashed at Leonard to edge behind to the wicketkeeper for a golden duck before Tom Prest followed in identical swishing off Ogborne.
Rew made it a trio of top-order catches when spinner Goldsworthy’s introduction coerced Ben Brown to attack and sky for his opposite man to take on the dive.
Having put on 41 with Brown, Middleton then strode forward with Albert and to his seventh List A half-century in 62 balls but fell four balls later when he picked out Ogborne at deep extra cover off Leach– ending a 40 runs stand.
Eckland was well caught by Umeed at short midwicket off Kasey Aldridge after 42 with Albert.
Albert had been constantly proactive in his innings and reached a third 50-over fifty in 43 balls, but it was the smart running and putting away of bad balls with Organ that put Hampshire on top.
The pair shared an unbroken stand of 100 as Hampshire came out on top.
At the close of play, Somerset Interim Head Coach, Paul Tweddle said: “I think in the first half we got off to a really good start and set a platform that was very well done, especially Josh, who was doing it for the first time.
“We got into a good position but we weren’t able to capitalise in the middle overs against the spin, which was a combination of them bowling well and us not being able to get the ball away. We found it difficult and the pitch was slow but I still felt at the halfway point that it was fairly even.
“We started really well with the ball and kept taking wickets for a bit but you have to credit Albert’s innings. From our point of view we can definitely learn and grow, but that innings really hurt us. I can’t fault our efforts but it wasn’t enough today.”
