Carlson century sees Glamorgan to victory
Kiran Carlson’s magnificent 42-ball century gave Glamorgan their first win of the Vitality Blast against Somerset at Sophia Gardens.
The Glamorgan captain gave bowlers déjà vu of his only other T20 century from when he struck 135 in a record-breaking win against the west country side in Cardiff two years ago. On this occasion, Carlson finished on 109 to steer Glamorgan home by seven wickets.
Carlson rode his luck early on but took advantage of a new look Glamorgan side as Jimmy Neesham was also given a debut for a seventh individual county against an injury-hampered, previously unbeaten Somerset side.
Debutant Nathan McAndrew and leg-spinner Mason Crane also supported the win for his new county, taking 4 for 15 and 3 for 42 respectively, to counter a destructive innings from Tom Banton (59 off 25).
Banton got off to a flying start to give Somerset a productive powerplay. Things weren’t always going Glamorgan’s way either – Josh Thomas’ first T20 for Somerset started with an outside for four against the off-spin of Ben Kellaway in the first over.
Banton’s advantage taking of a struggling Ned Leonard and Dan Douthwaite – who conceded nine off his first legal delivery – sent him on his way to a quick, unassailable half-century. McAndrew striking in the fifth with just one run coming halted proceedings momentarily but quickly resumed when Crane was introduced, Banton reaching a 21-ball 50 with a six first ball of the seventh, then followed with another.
Ending the 24-ball 50-run partnership was crucial to the fightback with Banton’s dismissal before much further damage can be done equally as important as the Rew brothers – James and Thomas – Tom Abell, and Daniel Sams all made starts but were unable to carry on at Banton’s momentum.
Thomas, the younger Rew, had batted five in both the opening games but was only required to have faced just 16 deliveries before this game as he was introduced to face Leonard who he first played with as a 15-year-old on Second XI debut, on this day three years ago.
From 100 for 2 at the halfway stage, Glamorgan fought back with frequent single-digit overs, McAndrew finishing strong with two wickets at the death, Somerset’s unpracticed middle and lower order showing.
In reply, Carlson’s magnificence wasn’t necessarily obvious from the off, although the scorecard would suggest so. Eighteen of the captain’s first 33 runs in just 16 balls came from edges in the powerplay with a short-third and fine-leg both operating in the circle.
Will Smale’s first delivery flicked to fine leg for four was a much prettier sight than his attempted ramp last time out which saw him removed first ball on that occasion.
Everything from then on just came to click, like Banton, Carlson brought up his 50 then the century with a six off Lewis Goldsworthy and Josh Shaw respectively. From the half-century onwards, there wasn’t too many bouts of luck; Somerset would rue missing a direct hit when the centurion was on just 14 taking a single to mid-on.
A flurry of wickets left Sean Dickson to hit the winning runs to get the Welsh county home against the defending champions.
