Somerset 265 for 5 (Rossouw 93, Banton 73) beat Derbyshire 74 (Siddle 3-10, Green 3-17) by 191 runs
Somerset struck 265 for 5, surpassing Birmingham’s 261 for 2, made against Nottinghamshire only three weeks ago. Eighteen sixes rained into a jubilant crowd. A hot air balloon sailing close to the ground would have been best advised not to lose altitude to take a closer look.
Derbyshire have never successfully chased 200, so 266 was a bit of an ask. They capsized for 74, not a single six in response, although plenty fell short, their thoughts turning in on themselves long before they began the journey home. Their North Group campaign was worthy of respect as they drew every ounce of ability out of themselves but this could hardly have been a more horrific night.
“It’s a tough one to swallow,” said Derbyshire’s stand-in captain, Leus du Plooy. “It’s happened so quickly. Somerset outplayed us in every facet.”
All of the runs off the bat in that over fell to Rossouw, who repeatedly found the ball in his arc and dealt with it as he has all season. He now has 600 runs, the best return in Somerset’s history, and this season second only to Hampshire’s James Vince, at an outlandish strike rate of 197.36
Somerset’s power game had been locked on for most of the night, but when Tom Lammonby took 24 from his first five balls, Aitchison the bowler to suffer, the highest team score hovered into view. Hughes’ wide half-volley, slapped straight for six in the final over, duly achieved it.
This all said, How did Somerset get to 49 from five overs without losing a wicket? That they did so as good as settled the match. For Will Smeed, this was a learning night. Perhaps the most painful learning night of his career. He is one of the most exciting young power hitters in the game. But if he ever needed reminding that his prowess is narrow – he has yet to make a four-day debut – Scrimshaw provided it as he bowled the opening over for the first time in his career and exposed Smeed’s limitations.
Scrimshaw is tall and gangly, and is modelling a slightly villainous moustache to develop an air of menace. He bowled fast and short on a pitch with plenty of bounce for the new ball, his line awry at times but his potential clear to see. Smeed clothed his fourth ball so badly it failed to reach mid-on and jabbed at short balls without making contact. He was bruised, physically and mentally. He is often the darling of Taunton on T20 nights like this, but it told him of the challenges ahead to reach the top level.
Surprisingly, Scrimshaw was not given a second over. It felt as if Derbyshire were sticking to pre-match plans for how they would negotiate the powerplay. It would have taken a captain sure of his instincts to change tack and the captain until now, Shan Masood, had been called up by Pakistan.
All that Derbyshire’s night lacked was a comedy run out. “No, big ‘un,” McKiernan yelled to Aitchison as he attempted a second run to deep midwicket. The cry went unheard. Perhaps he thought Scrimshaw is the big ‘un these days. Disheartened looks were briefly exchanged. Derbyshire had endured a disastrous night.
David Hopps writes on county cricket for ESPNcricinfo @davidkhopps