Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s swashbuckling 90 off 39 balls helped Somerset guarantee their spot in the Vitality Blast quarter-finals after they thumped struggling Essex by 95 runs at Taunton.
Batting in sunglasses to combat the sunshine that may have contributed to Essex’s below-par display in the field with several drops, Kohler-Cadmore belted seven sixes and eight fours in a stunning knock.
Kohler-Cadmore looked to be cruising towards an electrifying century but was suckered in by a wider delivery from Simon Harmer and succeeded only in toe-ending straight to Michael Pepper in the deep.
"I've not seen the lad before but I just loved the way he walked out. He's so confident."
— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) July 8, 2025
Don't be surprised if Neil Warnock signs Tom Kohler-Cadmore at his next club 🖋️ pic.twitter.com/Md0wzvPqGF
His innings was the cornerstone of a total of 225 for six for Somerset, whose entire top-seven reached double figures, with Mohammad Amir the only Essex bowler to record respectable figures with 4-0-22-3.
Australia fast bowler Riley Meredith then made the breakthrough in Essex’s reply as a searing yorker located the base of Pepper’s leg stump, which extraordinarily snapped upon impact.
Essex came into this contest with just one win from 10 this season and their hopes of doubling their tally and reeling in their highest-ever chase receded when they slipped to 48 for five after 5.4 overs.
RILEY SNAPS THE STUMP DOWN THE MIDDLE 🤯
— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) July 8, 2025
Have you ever seen this before?!?#SOMvESS#WeAreSomerset pic.twitter.com/VQ244pq8RR
Matt Henry was the pick of Somerset’s attack with four for 21, dismissing Amir with his final delivery, before Essex were put out of their misery next ball and all out for 130 from 14.1 overs.
Somerset moved 12 points clear of Surrey atop the South Group and they became the first team to make sure of a place in the knockout stages, with rock-bottom Essex already eliminated.
