A blistering performance with the bat from Beau Webster led to Warwickshire plundering their first victory of the Vitality Blast campaign, a six-wicket demolition of Somerset in Taunton.
Facing a huge chase of 216, the Australian all-rounder was the difference between the two sides in match we only got one innings recorded from after Warwickshire chased it down. He hit an extraordinary 112 from ONLY 61 balls. His knock comprised of nine fours and seven massive sixes, as the visitors managed to pull off the chase with two balls to spare. While Webster was impressive, the other half of a match-winning 145-run partnership with warrior Dan Mousley (71 not out from 36 balls) appeared to hold all the aces.
Somerset earlier set a record total of 215 for 4 after being put in to bat. Jordan Hermann anchored the innings playing a magnificent unbeaten knock of 90 from just 48 deliveries. The left-hander missed nine fours and six sixes as he continued with his brilliant hitting during his innings.
There was a good start for Somerset, until they lost their first wicket at 35. But those charges were tempered by quick departures from Tom Banton and Josh Thomas. Independently, Hermann then slowly steadied the innings with James Rew as the pair added much-needed runs during a period of rebuilding. Rew made 28 before falling, and Somerset then lost another wicket when Thomas Rew departs not long after.
Despite the loss of wickets, Hermann kept attacking and brought up his half-century off 30 balls. That ended up being the basis for a late charge from him. Somerset captain Lewis Gregory also joined the fray and peeled off a priceless 55 from just 26 balls which proved to be instrumental. Hermann and Gregory then powered Somerset past 200 with a brutally accelerating stand of 117 in the last eight overs.
Although Somerset’s batting performance seemed good enough to win, it was brushed aside by one from Warwickshire. Having hit aggressively himself, Webster was then supported by the calm, but equally opportunistic Mousley to guide the visitors home in a thrilling finish.
It was Somerset’s fourth straight defeat in the group, while it was crucial for Warwickshire to claim victory at this stage of the tournament finally.
