The captaincy can enhance a cricketer and there was another example of this phenomenon here yesterday as Somerset’s Lewis Gregory produced a glittering performance to earn a semi‑final against Sussex at Edgbaston, on 15 September, in what has become a coveted day out for county cricketers.
Gregory, not for the first time in this campaign, produced a blistering innings, in this instance 60 from 24 balls. It was peppered with five sixes and enabled his side to post 209 for five, a challenging target in a knockout game when there is more tension about. In the field he grabbed the vital catch of the day at cover to dismiss Alex Hales, the one man who threatened to upset Somerset’s progress, and for good measure he took two for 29 from his four overs as well as overseeing affairs adroitly in the field.
Aside from Gregory, Somerset were indebted to a silky 52 from James Hildreth; he also ran brilliantly with Tom Abell, who picked a good time to register his career best (46 not out) in this format. There was also a perky 27 from Johann Myburgh, a very popular figure here, who was playing his last game at Taunton.
Hales threatened to chase down the target on his own. After Jamie Overton had dismissed Riki Wessels with his first ball, Hales hit the next four deliveries, some of little merit, for four. He now has the capacity to intimidate white-ball bowlers just by taking guard. He was dropped on 35 off Gregory by Abell at deep square-leg, which might have been a decisive moment but that was the last fielding blemish from Somerset.
Once Hales had been caught the run chase faltered and Overton ended up with three more wickets in his leg-trap, which comprised the wonderfully athletic Max Waller at deep midwicket, who once again caught everything that came his way.
Even though this game had been rescheduled after the rains of Sunday, the stands were full. It was, in some ways, a subdued, sober affair, simply because the fans were anxious. They were not here for the beer – or the cider – but to see a side with whom they identify so strongly, win. They left beaming and contemplating a trip to Birmingham in September if they can get hold of a ticket.
